To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan and not quite enough time.

Bernstein’s aphorism links artistic achievement to a paradoxical mix of structure and pressure. “A plan” signals craft: preparation, technique, and deliberate intention rather than inspiration alone. “Not quite enough time” points to the productive urgency of deadlines, which can force decisions, intensify focus, and prevent perfectionism from stalling completion. The line reflects a performing artist’s world—rehearsals, premieres, and commissions—where work must be finished for a fixed moment. More broadly, it suggests that greatness often arises when disciplined planning meets constraints that demand bold prioritization and decisive execution.