A half century or so ago, I recall getting the "standard" advice about deadlifts and squats... I thought, people seem to survive it at some level of load, so why not increase it slowly and as you adapt... you would not injure yourself if you didn't over do it.
Then I thought (ominous music),
well if it is that obvious... someone else would have thought of it by now.
Then I recall looking long and hard at Bill Starr's book. I wanted it, but HOW COULD A BOOK BE WORTH THAT MUCH MONEY????
I have always been regarded independent and stubborn as hell. I whiffed on both close calls.
Rip's notion about avoiding hard work has that terrible ring of truth.