"I know people think I have a high opinion of myself and rate myself but I never reflect on things that I have done well or have done badly. I move on to the next job always in pursuit of making sure I have a smile and maximising opportunities."
James Haskell is no fool, though it is a mystery just how sleep fits into his life. His normal day, in his own words, normally consists of writing, rugby, working, drinking coffee, seeing his girlfriend and training. But it is all compartmentalised; some spheres intermingle with another, but rugby is kept separate.
Sitting in a box at Wembley after helping David Flatman on his first stages of the second edition of BT Sport's 'Tour de Flats', Haskell has just played in his seventh Six Nations. But he seems restless. He is a ball of energy, his leg is oscillating 19 to the dozen. At one end of the table is a plate of chicken but rather than talk and eat, first comes the interview and then a late lunch.
It is a lesson learned from his travels around the world. Professionalism has been around now for 20 years. Some players prefer to stay closer to their roots and hold the club man badge of honour. Others prefer to stretch the game to its limits, maximise opportunities and grow mentally as a result. Haskell falls into the latter category.
After spells with Wasps, Stade Francais, the Ricoh Black Rams and the Highlanders, he is back at Wasps. His previous nomadic existence has now settled down but his desire to improve and push himself is present.
"I very rarely sit down and when I do, I get the feeling I should be doing something constructive," he explains and that also clarifies why he watches very little rugby. Instead that focus is character study. He watches the current great opensides - Richie McCaw, Francois Louw and Michael Hooper - while keeping tabs on Kieran Read. It is about improvement.
The young Haskell never thought he would play for England. Experiences have helped him on the path to his current total of 58 caps. There has been tragedy - he was there when Matt Hampson broke his neck in 2005 - and harsh lessons. He has dealt with international exile and those casting him as the fool due to his gregarious personality.
But it is not a battle he pays attention to, sitting, talking restlessly as an ever-present for England throughout the Six Nations and Wasps captain. "Everyone is entitled to their opinions and perspectives," Haskell tells ESPN. "For it to be an issue, you have to worry about it. I don't really care. I always try and live my life by making sure I am a good role model, I work hard and make the most of every opportunity. I wouldn't be able to play around the world and do what I have done if I was a nightmare. In the age of social media you open yourself up to criticism. You wouldn't just walk up to someone on the street and be rude to them.
"I like taking the mick out of myself. Intelligent people realise that if you are being self-deprecating it's a sign of a good character as it balances life out. Some people have never worked out how I can commercially minded off the field and a leader on it, people believe there is a disconnect, but those that matter understand it."
For "those that matter", in rugby terms, read Stuart Lancaster, Dai Young, team-mates and other coaches such as Warren Gatland, Shaun Edwards and Jamie Joseph who have helped him along the path. They see the rugby player, but rugby coaching is focused on personality alongside ability.
Life post-rugby is on his agenda. Tomorrow he turns 30 and if the shock of seeing a team-mate break his neck has left one lasting impression on him, it is the transience of the game. His passion for fitness has flowed into it becoming a business. He likes music, so now spends time DJ-ing - deep house is his preferred medium. But balance is key. If one element is given too much time, another fails.
"I previously found it hard and didn't get the balance right but at the moment I'm pretty comfortable. My working day revolves around rugby and will tick the boxes I have to do. It's about rugby first, you have to focus on the pursuit of playing rugby first and then developing as a player. I very rarely pick up my phone during the training day as everything else can wait.
"I've always been preparing for what I'm going to do after rugby. You never know when that opportunity is going to be taken away. Matt's gone on to do amazing things with his life. It's a transient experience."
His review of the Six Nations is to the point. He started all five games but his fifth came to a premature end in the final game against France when he was sin-binned for tripping Jules Plisson and was then substituted for Tom Wood. He is not one to dwell and instead files that under learning. Triumphs and trials fall into that same area and so his fantastic performance against Wales - including connecting head on post - also slots in alongside the trip.
"I enjoyed the Six Nations from the moment it started. The Wales game flowed, only I could run into a post. I tried to get a performance out there and I played with the mindset that if it was my last game for England, I wanted to really enjoy it. You don't know when that'll be.
"Any opportunity to play for England is a huge honour and that's why I came back to the UK to do that, to retain my shirt. I was disappointed to get the yellow card because it meant my last appearance in the shirt was 10 minutes in the sin-bin. These things happen but overall I was very pleased. England put 50 points on France, it was an amazing effort."
Last June, Haskell made his return to the England fold after just over a year out. "Hello chaps, you haven't phoned," was his greeting to the media on his first appearance since they lost to Wales in the 2013 Six Nations. Then came long answers to short questions. He is one of rugby's characters but if the ever changing face of professionalism has highlighted one thing to him, it is such individuals are a dying breed.
"Characters are leaving the game. There are players who are a lot younger who know nothing other than rugby. I remember when I walked into the changing room at Wasps and you had Lawrence, Alex King, Joe Worsley, Simon Shaw and now it's me and Andy Goode. They were legends of the game and I'd never put myself in a bracket near them. Players are doing much more outside of rugby as life is a rich tapestry."
His tapestry does not yet include the World Cup. That is the end goal, but with a gesticulation, he hammers home how he is yet to even contemplate playing in the tournament. "I honestly haven't thought one second about the World Cup. What's the point? As a fan I'd be thinking about it all the time but as a player, I'm not there yet. I'm not close to being there yet."
Instead, up next is Toulon, on Sunday. Haskell was back in training on Monday after a week off post-Six Nations. That would have been spent seeing the girlfriend, drinking coffee, working and training. "I hammered out 10,000 words on a fitness programme for kids looking to get into rugby," was how he spent his Friday. This Friday will start with training and then that is shelved, after he meticulously ticks the boxes, before looking on to the next challenge for the day. Reflections, questions, can wait.
"I want to make the most of the opportunities I'm given and to look back at any given time and realise I gave everything to whatever I'm asked to do. I have to live without regrets and if I do anything, then it's as if it's the last time I'll ever do that and to make a good account of myself."
And with that, in the blink of an eye, the chicken is consumed and the attention shifts to the next part of the day.
To follow Tour de Flats, tune into Rugby Tonight on Monday 6th and 13th April at 8pm live on BT Sport 1.