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As we're getting older we simply can't keep getting better in at the same speed. If you're a mentally balanced person your live will contain more and more unpredicted variables like a partner, kids, older parents and family members, health issues and what not. Things beside your work that require your time and attention.

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Absolutely - I feel it's then still important to be honest about what you are doing and whether or not it's helping you in this way if that's what you want it to do. If you want to focus on other things then that's great and healthy, but recognise that flicking through Rails blogs and noodling around with ideas is what you do for recreation, and has very little impact on your professional development.

Totally agree. Nowadays I try to be laser-focused about what I do in my 'free' time. The bar is set much higher than when I was younger. It's not so easy to stay focused though with all the high-quality distractions these days.

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