Burn Out

It is such a “Doh” moment for me.  I have done it twice that I know of, and was embarrassed both times.  It is taking on more than I can chew.
I sorta see it as a circle.   Faith, family and things, take up 270 degrees.  I wanted what I say to be all f’s and alliteration.  The only way I could do that would be to make up a new word.  Faith, family and Fings.  I have 90 degrees spare.
There is no doubt I am enthusiastic.  Keen to go.  The trouble is, if I am not careful I can over-commit.  I have been there and done that.
As I say I have 90 degrees left.  The task that needs doing may require 120 degrees.  I really cannot do it.  The trap is, it needs doing, and no one else is stepping up to the plate.
Something I learned long ago is that just because there is a need, does not mean that I am the one to fill it.  I may want to, and have all the necessary skills.  That though, does not mean I am the one.  Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to leave something vacant.
The most recent time I over committed I said yes and then no.  Well, it was really a yes and let me think about it and I may be able to.  Personally, I think it is better to say no and then yes rather than yes and then no.  The thing about saying yes is that others modify their behaviour in the belief that I am doing something.  When I then say no it leaves everyone up in the air.
What concerns me about over commitment is it seems to be an all or nothing thing.  I am seeing a bit of that with mortgages these days.  Right now I can afford it.  I have done my sums.  Then out of the blue another car is needed, or a huge medical bill comes up.  Or interest rates go through the roof.  Suddenly the sums do not add up.  I am potentially left with nothing.
I am retired now and have more time to volunteer, but to me the same principle applies.  Too many times I have seen burn out.  The volunteer may be excellent at what they do, but they are operating at maximum capacity.  When something untoward occurs the old “all or nothing” kicks in, and there is then nothing.
We have an air conditioner.  It is one of those that if set to certain temperature it reaches it and then goes off until it needs to reach that temperature again.  We are already asking heaps of it, so I ensure all doors are shut.  The last thing I want is for it to need to operate at maximum capacity all the time and burn out.  I have no doubt it can do it, but its life span is shortened.
I reckon I am the same.  I can do everything and burn bright for a bit, then disappear to nothing.  Or I can incrementally increase as I know I can.
I wonder if causes are not better off served by many doing a bit, rather than a few doing a lot.  Many would say that is not always possible, but I think it often depends what I aim for, time, and if the goal is achievable.  Sometimes the goal needs to be modified, but I need to be sure that is not accepting something because I failed to go about it the right way.