In the biography of Rav Sholom Schwadron zt”l, translated by Libby Lazewnik, I read something that has stayed with me all these years. I don’t have the sefer so I can’t quote it, but the idea was basically: don’t define yourself by your job. A Yid is an ovaid HaShem, a Yid learns, a Yid does mitzvos. The job that you do is what you DO; it doesn’t define who you are.
So, even if you’re working, work with an attitude of, “I learn! For parnosa, I do such and such.” Treat the work as a tafel, even if it takes up more of your day than learning.
If anyone has the sefer and could quote the section that I’m referring to, that would be nice . . .