I should have stopped to rest sooner that morning, but…
““I should have stopped to rest sooner that morning, but didn’t. I’d got a bad dose of the NFEs. NFE stands for Not Far Enough – the irresistible compulsion to go on and on till you ruin whatever you’re doing. In this case it was wading through sage, but it happens with many other things – tightening a bolt is a classic example, though painting, writing, [and] correcting a child are all susceptible. The solution, of course, is knowing when to stop.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Knowing when to stop prevents compulsion from ruining tasks.
In simple terms: Stop before damage occurs.
Key Takeaway
Learn to recognize limits.
Themes
self‑control
compulsion
productivity
health
decision‑making
Mood
cautious
reflective
Type
Stop:1
Knowing Stop:1
Stopped Rest:0
Rest Sooner:0
Compulsion Till:0
When to use this quote
- work projects
- creative pursuits
- daily routines
Key Concepts
over‑commitment
burnout
self‑regulation
Questions to Reflect On
- What signals tell you to pause?
- How can you build stopping habits?
A Different Perspective
Compulsion can be hard to detect early.