I used to spend 80 hours in the office. Most of it was waiting around for everyone to go home so I could get some programming done.

Now I'm much more balanced. I realized I want to have work I'm passionate about, and go at it with all the gusto I have, but also limit it to a timebox so it doesn't take over my life.

Everything that involves reaching "as far as you can" needs to also be boxed. Otherwise, it's like a cancer cell that "grows as much as it can" until it destroys you.

So, define a box for how much you want to work. Inside that box, work like a single-minded barbarian. But outside the box, enjoy life, smell the roses, and participate in hobbies. That's my formula now.