The times when I've gotten the ratio that high have been times when I've been learning new skills while building new things. There's something to be said to building something using that new cool new framework. Its got to still be relevant but this can definitely help. There are many right ways to solve most problems and some are more fun.
I found myself wondering what a person might have to change to be able to up the exciting work to 10, 20 or 30% of the work-month.