Do you focus on the main quest ? Spend time exploring to discover new locations ? Joining a faction ? Storming forts, clearing out and battering every enemy inside ? Side Quests ? Or mastering your skills/magic ?
I just do what ever my character feels is best to do that moment. Sometimes it's the main quest. Sometimes it's side quests. Sometimes it's work on skills or aquiring materials for some project. Currently, I'm considering finding a few more dragon walls.
Totally depends on my mood. which char I'm playing. I like exploreing, I do that alot with my warrior, because at the moment she's the strongest and I know she can handle whatever pops out of the woods at her. She also has a big collection of book's so I read alot.
I've got three char's started, so if I get "board" with one play style I go to another. They are all very different.