I enjoyed this article, How DBAs Can Adopt the Craftsman Mindset. This quote jumped out at me:
Recently I finished the book So Good They Can’t Ignore You, by Georgetown computer science professor Cal Newport. While the book is certainly not specifically targeted at database administrators, I found that many of the points were very applicable to the paths I’ve seen several highly successful ones take. For example, Newport makes the point that the “follow your passion” advice is largely flawed; rather, by honing our skills and getting good at what we do, we find that very passion.
I had a period where I was just doing what they needed me to do at work, and it was kind of miserable. I do find I enjoy my work more when I’m learning, trying to make a more pronounced effort to do constant learning.