Whatever is on your plate got there because you said yes to it.
I would rather get out of the game than stay in the game to change the game.
Forget about being impressive and commit to being real.
Apologizing makes me feel vulnerable. And strong. Expressing gratitude makes me feel vulnerable. And strong. Maybe there's something to this vulnerability/strength connection, eh?
It's not about the goal, it's about how you want to feel when you get there.
I focus for periods of time on creative work and I'm very insular during those times - not a lot of socializing. I play when I want. That means I can take off on a retreat, catch a matinee, make friends. My core desired feelings are my time management system.