Once I think about personal progress in a performative way I doom myself to failure because I get seriously stressed out about it (there's likely a significant genetic component in this, my stress-resistance is really low for some reason). I could not exist like that guy in the article, props to him.

Personally I try to stay in balance, that way things come more naturally, and there isn't this sword of Damokles hanging over every day I "don't perform". Fostering natural curiosity and intrinsic motivation seems like a worthwhile goal to me (I'm not much of a people person). Then even if you can't combine this with work there'll still be something to look forward to afterward.

Oh and never forget to live life a little too ;)