Depending on your life-situation you might have a better-half, kids, pets, housework etc. All of them are your past decisions you need to live with and all of them require attention.
I'm sure this wasn't the author's intention, but, gee, imagine your wife or kids reading that. Kinda makes it sound like those things always must take a back seat to work.
Edited to add: sorry, didn't see `dan_blanchard's comment.