[plz-remove-card]

I agree that you should try your best 90% of the time, without pretending, and without excuses. I entirely agree with that statement. There's nothing wrong with being competitive, you absolutely should be competitive! You don't have to be nice about it either but you do have to be strategic.

You can still make a significant impact by putting all of your effort into the highest impact things that are in your control. I wasn't trying to say anything about work-life balance. And definitely was not suggesting you don't put your full effort and best ability into it!

> my CTO is standing above me and won't move. If he could either move at my pace focusing on bigger problems than me, or get out of the way, I could make this work better for both my employer and myself.

Inside every obstacle is a chance to improve your condition. However, is this the obstacle worth spending your time and effort on? Can you get him to move out of your way? Is there any way that you can control that? Maybe there is, maybe not? Maybe you have to do some schmoozing, maybe some office politics, is that worth the return? You can see it as a challenge to overcome or one to avoid so you can maximize other efforts in other areas.

> Until then, I don't know what will be my life's work.

Do you want it to have been wasted on arguing with a bozo? Or designing and building something world changing?

I don't have the answer I'm just offering some perspectives. Wish you the best of luck!