It’s a lot easier when you’re navigating if you have a map.
Learning music without solid music literacy to underpin your work is like hiking in the wilderness without a map and compass. You can probably still get there, especially if you have a guide who knows the terrain, but it’s a lot harder.
Learn to read music well and you’ve got your map and compass. You know where you are, you know where you’re going, and you know how to get there. You can anticipate the terrain, avoid obstacles, and work efficiently.
For my money, the best time you can spend is on building your musical navigation skills. They make everything else so much easier.