[YesMilord]

One of the issues is creative energy. When most of my day is spent working on working for my job, I find it really hard to do research on things I'm interested in.

I'm in a rather demanding team with an on-call rotation, so I'm not finding it possible to invest in actually doing my own things unless I overwork myself.

How did it work out for you?

[ck425]

Is a 4 day week possible? Many Western European countries have laws that legally entitle you to ask for 4 days weeks (even if they say no they can't penalise you for it) and most tech companies are open to it. Go down to 4 days and you might have more energy.

Also look into moving to a less demanding team. If you're happy with your income you don't need to work crazy hard and push yourself in work. Move to a chill team, get a 4 day week and you'll have more time and energy to do research yourself.

[YesMilord]

It is possible, but in my case it would make it quite hard to work with my current team.

The idea of going to a more chill team never occurred to me, but it does sound like a solution. Then I could maybe receive similar compensation but allow more time for studying on my own.

[akulbe]

Getting up earlier.

Watching a little less TV.

Having a long view, rather thinking I could become competent in ______ in weeks, but instead months or years. (and being CONTENT with that)

It's not fast. It's not easy. It has worked for me.