The time to turn off the heat when scrambling eggs is right before you think they’re done. Just this side of sloppy.
The time to take a steak off the fire is when it’s still a bit too fleshy when you press the middle of the cut with your finger. Then let it sit for 5 minutes.
The time to take cod out of the oven when you’re baking it is when you wonder if it’s really done. It is. Always.
A draft of an urgent email is done when you’re not angry about it anymore. If you’re not sure if you’re still angry, you’re still angry. Save it to Drafts and check later. Make any changes that seem wise after cooling off. If making the changes gets you angry all over again, repeat. If you find yourself doing this for the third time, delete the email and don’t send anything.
A PowerPoint presentation is done when you’ve deleted 1/3 or more of the number of slides you created originally.
An essay, story, or poem is done when you’ve printed it and stuck it in a folder and not looked at or thought about it for at least two weeks. If you read it and don’t see anything you want to change, it’s done. If you find changes, repeat.
If you’re meditating without setting a timer (which is the best way to meditate), you’re done the third time you have a hunch the time you decided to meditate is up. Resist the first two urges and wait for the third.
A blog post is done when you pause and try to think of something pithy to say rather than something of substance.
