When snow accumulates on a rooftop, it builds up in huge, thick piles. If it snows enough, it makes the roof start to look comically large. But at some point, the pile can’t get any bigger. And just a bit more snow is all it takes to cause the whole sheet to fall off the roof at once.
Overwork is a bit like this. We add more to our plates little by little – in such small increments that we barely notice a change. But suddenly we’ve got way too much. One minute we’ve got things handled, and the next, it’s too much to bear.
Recognize there’s a limit to the size of the pile – and make sure what you’re adding to it is worthwhile.