At first, it helps.
The extra hour.
The extra rep.
The extra conversation.
It sharpens my blade.
I feel it working.
The edge gets cleaner.
The argument tighter.
The muscle firmer.
The room warmer.
Then something shifts.
It’s subtle.
My hour starts costing more than it gives.
My rep gets sloppy.
My sentence swells.
My conversation thins.
I tell myself I’m being disciplined.
Most of the time I’m unwilling to stop.
There’s a moment when effort builds strength.
Then everything else is strain.
Long enough at the desk and my clarity will muddle.
Long enough in the gym and my form will collapse.
Long enough in the explanation and the truth gets lost.
The first layer gives shape.
The second gives stability.
The third bends it.
Excellence may require exhaustion of my resources.
Excellence is a standard.
Done is a standard.
Not perfect or complete in every direction.
The soil has been turned.
Anything past that is erosion.
I’m learning to stop while there is still shape in my stand.