This may be too simplistic, but lets take your quarterback problem. Let's assume you are able bodied, in shape, in high school (gotta start then if you want to make it to the pros) and made the football team.

1. You made the team 2. You become back up quarter back 3. Work your ass off at training to become starting QB or at least when he goes down you get a chance to show why you should be starting. 4. You become starting QB 5. You work your ass off to make plays, win games, and become recognized not only as a great QB but also as a great leader, because the QB is the leader of the team. 6. Get accepted into a recognized college and repeat the above.

All you have to do is follow the guidelines set by yourself, fill in the blanks, and repeat. I do not mean to go on a tangent, but the point I am trying to convey is everything you want to accomplish in life can be done if you bust your ass once someone somewhere gives you a chance to do so.

It's easy to forget, though, that my job as a software developer is to solve small problems all day in order to tackle a larger problem, and that not everyone has this day-to-day experience. So outside of our tribe, this article may not be as 'common sensical' as I first presumed.

i think the point is to apply it to things you know you can accomplish but don't know how or feel overwhelmed by.

flying to pluto is also impossible, let's not use this as a counterexample as to why you shouldn't start a company or change your car's alternator or build a bookshelf.