The first question would be "Is this advice truly coming from programmers?" Even if it is, 'being a better programmer' means different things to different people. Many people are not dedicated to trying to be the best but still identify as a programmer.
If you ask someone how to be a better musician, someone might say "go to more shows", 'hang out and collaborate with other musicians", or "try lots of different instruments". If you ask someone who strives to be the best musician and is world class, they hear the question as "how do I be the best musician" not "how do I be a better musician." Who wants to merely be better? They only know to be the best and will say "practice all night and all day forever". It doesn't mean they are the best or ever will be, but its a different mindset.
If you ask someone how to be a better musician, someone might say "go to more shows", 'hang out and collaborate with other musicians", or "try lots of different instruments". If you ask someone who strives to be the best musician and is world class, they hear the question as "how do I be the best musician" not "how do I be a better musician." Who wants to merely be better? They only know to be the best and will say "practice all night and all day forever". It doesn't mean they are the best or ever will be, but its a different mindset.