Sounds like he is describing my university years. I think the problem is simple: the most important thing in your life is something that can consume an unlimited amount of time. There's always more to do, to learn, to explore, so you never feel you've done enough. I think that is also the key to solving the problem: you have to set precise, reasonable, goals and disengage yourself from that 'most important thing' when you've reached the goals you set for the day, week, month. Otherwise, the maelstrom will take all your time.