Every yes costs you something else you could’ve done with that time. Know what you’re saying no to.

Agreement feels free at the moment of agreeing, because the thing you are giving up is not in the room. It arrives later, as the practice you missed or the evening that disappeared. Saying yes is always two decisions, and most people only make the first one consciously.

Before you agree to the next thing, say out loud what it replaces. Not in a grim way, just accurately. Some trades are obviously worth it and some fall apart the second they are named, which is the cheapest way to find out.