You’ve probably heard the phrase “bite off more than you can chew.” You’ve probably even done it, at least metaphorically, and hustled and hustled until there was no more hustle to hustle.
It can be exciting to work at a pace that seems impossible until you do it, and then you realize, without a doubt, that you are more capable than you previously knew.
Busy has become a badge of honor. Ask how someone is doing and the answer is usually “busy, very busy.” It’s seen as the best acceptable flaw to be overwhelmed and overworked, to be swamped and trying to keep your head above water.
Do you know people who are a little too proud of biting off more than they can chew? They’re quick to tell you that they only got four hours of sleep, and then worked 12 hours after fasting for 24 hours and then took an ice bath to cap off the day. We get it. You’re trying really hard. You’re proving to yourself and everybody else who will listen that your effort is unmatched. Oftentimes, underneath all that rising and grinding is a fear of failure so palpable it can make your heart skip a beat.
Let’s reframe the conversation around the phrase. Imagine you’re sitting down to a nice meal with your friends and family. It’s a big deal. Maybe it’s your birthday. Everyone is there to celebrate you. As soon as your plate touches the table, you start going for it. You’re eating like you haven’t eaten in days, and you are biting off more than you can chew with every forkful.
What do you think your friends and family will think as they watch you wolf down bite after bite of more than you can chew? They would probably be concerned. They want to celebrate you, but you’re not paying them much attention because you are there for one reason and one reason only — to bite off more than you can chew. This is what “biting off more than you can chew” literally looks like.
I realize the birthday example may be a bit hyperbolic, but in real life, your friends and family want to see you happy and healthy. They want to spend time with you. They don’t want to watch you bite off more than you can chew. So, let’s praise balance and moderation once in a while instead of exhaustion and fatigue. Let’s take nutritious, perfectly portioned bites instead.
William W. Brown is founder and board chair of Legacy Early College. wbrown@legacyearlycollege.org
