[lxt]

Re the headline: duh, I'm reading HN. Anyone who has convinced themselves that this is work is in denial.

I do agree with TOA though. You have to learn to call yourself on this stuff, or get a buddy/mentor/manager who will.

Do first what needs to be done now. The backfill tasks can be saved for when you have a slow time, or really need a change of pace (to solve some kind of long-slow-thought problem, or when you're tired at the end of the day, or whatever).