I am really poor at keeping up with trends. It isn't my interest, and seems quite a detriment to my career mobility. I feel accomplished when I solve a hard p

I am really poor at keeping up with trends. It isn't my interest, and seems quite a detriment to my career mobility. I feel accomplished when I solve a hard problem in a way that is portable and/or rapidly reproducible, especially if the problem is so far unsolved or my solution is better than other available solutions. I can do these things not because I am an excellent developer, but because I find interest in perfecting unromantic things. Nobody finds the file system sexy, for example. Since you mentioned JavaScript, I am also a JavaScript developer. I can empathize with being busy and tired. I have two jobs and kids. Here is what works for me: Find the time of day when you have hyper focus. Dedicate that time to your learning whether its study, experimentation with some tool, or writing a side project. For me this is super early in the morning. I might have some minor focus between work and dinner or just before bed, but usually I am pretty drained and just want to veg out watching a show with family. If you are married or have a significant other make them understand that dedicated windows of personal study time are necessary. Its more than advancing your career. If its your passion it emotionally recenters you to keep you happy and make you a better person.