1) A lot of the most valuable things I learn on my personal projects are how to be better at those programming management topics (and don't forget automated tes

1) A lot of the most valuable things I learn on my personal projects are how to be better at those programming management topics (and don't forget automated testing and reproducible research), because becoming better at managing my own projects creates a multiplier effect on everything I do. 2) By becoming a better manager, you reduce the friction involved in achieving your goals, and with less resistance to action, you are less likely to have your life interfere with getting things done. 3) For example, unit tests and documentation let you come back to a project after a long break and easily pick up again where you left off. Without them, it might require too much effort to get back into it, and poof no more project.