Just a minor addition respectively counter data point for you: I've tried to force myself to invest more time in my tech job and relevant side projects. I didn'

Just a minor addition respectively counter data point for you: I've tried to force myself to invest more time in my tech job and relevant side projects. I didn't care about any of it and couldn't do it. Burned out quickly. Only way I can stay in tech is to have enough recharge time. (Which are oftentimes activities that can look like work to others, as long as I have intrinsic motivation doing these things it'll increase my energy level). Some people can work at peak performance no matter what. These people have, in my experience, a hard time understanding those who cannot. They are also rare and tend to clime the career ladder quickly. You might be one of them. edit If my life would be at stake, things would look differently. But I've seen people who work in survival mode for years and years. They pay a heavy toll. Nothing I'd recommend (or could fake myself into believing, either your survival depends on something or not. My tech job doesn't need me going all out ).