If you see them as something that will make you a "skilled programmer", or something that will be a nice addition to your resume, you probably won't get anywher

If you see them as something that will make you a "skilled programmer", or something that will be a nice addition to your resume, you probably won't get anywhere. Well, maybe you will become a "skilled programmer" and you may be able to add a line to your resume, but does that really matter? You're sacrificing your precious time which you could be spending to do something more meaningful, like spend time with family and friends, read books, experience new things in life. And in that case I would rather just spend time doing something more meaningful instead of trying to force yourself to find some side project to work on. Most successful side projects come from people wanting to express themselves. If you don't have an idea that you want to build at the moment, don't force yourself, just enjoy life and only jump on it when you stumble upon an idea you really want to work on so much that you would even sacrifice your sleep time.