Yes, and add-ons like Wykkyd's Outfitter can help with swapping skill bars for leveling versus skill bars for playing. Just name and save the current bar(s) for playing as something like "Play DW" and "Play Destro", and the bars for leveling as something such as "Level Siphoning" and "Level Fighters Guild".However doing quests and keeping the skills on your bar that need to level when turning in the quests is best way to level your character and your skills. If you use some skills but want to level others, then swap them out before turning in the quests, then swap back for playing.
It also helps to have the Training Trait on your weapons and armor, at least initially (first 20 to 30 skill levels) as that can help. Some NB skills do not appear at first to be that useful, until you can Morph them, then they get interesting. This applies to most other skill groups to.