Imagine setting out to clean your closet, a task you think will take an hour at most. You start off with vigor, but soon you’re knee-deep in old yearbooks, clothes that need mending, and items that require sorting into a dozen categories. What began as a simple clean-out now feels like an endless excavation.

This is the essence of Seneca's advice: Before you commit your energy to something, consider the scope of the task. Is it something well-defined, with a clear end point, or does it expand endlessly the more you work on it? The Stoics urge us to be discerning with our time and effort, focusing on achievable goals to ensure progress. We definitely don't want to emulate Sisyphus, who, according to Greek mythology, was condemned by the gods to roll an immense boulder up a hill only for it to roll back down when it would near the top, for all of eternity.

Take a look at your to-do list or consider your goals. Are there projects that seem to perpetually grow larger, no matter how much time you dedicate to them? These endeavors can be alluring, promising fulfillment just beyond the next step, but they often lead to frustration and a sense of futility.

Instead, pick objectives with tangible endpoints. By aiming for accomplishable tasks, you stand to gain the satisfaction of completion, propelling you forward with a sense of accomplishment and confidence.

And in the rare case that a task remains unfinished, let the hope of eventual completion be guided by the wisdom of knowing you've chosen your battles wisely.