Great article and I agree. I've also heard the saying that "a good DB is a bored DBA". Basically the idea behind that is you've designed systems and have automated processes to keep everything in tip top shape to where you don't have much to do in a given day.

Another phrase I've heard from a DBA manager is that when it comes to processes you do one of two things: automate or delegate. If you do this, then no process you have will be tedious.