Ethan Sterling
You don’t become successful by sitting on the couch idly waiting for good things to happen.
Unfortunately, life doesn’t exactly work this way.
Your level of success in life will ultimately come down to your habits… both habits during work hours and your free time.
Successful people tend to operate differently.
They pursue tasks that constantly enrich them, that promote cognitive and emotional function, rather than bring them down.
They know that when it comes to success, everything counts, particularly the little things.
So if you don’t know where to start, I’m here to help.
In this article, I’ll take you through some of the common things highly successful do in their spare time.
Let’s get to it!
1) They read
Successful people are fully aware that going far in life largely depends on mental ability.
Hence, they often prioritize honing their brain power, even during their off hours, in the form of reading.
You’ll rarely find a successful person scrolling through reels for hours at a time or binging Netflix dating shows all weekend.
They make it a point to engage their mind, rather than numb it.
By reading books, articles, journals, and so on, they not only stay informed, broaden their knowledge of the world, and gain fresh perspectives, but they also keep their mind sharp and in tip-top shape.
This translates into high achievement at the workplace.
2) They exercise
The benefits of physical activity on your general health are quite literally boundless.
Personally, whenever I feel like I’m in a rut or anxious about something, I’ll go for a lengthy brisk walk through the neighborhood or hit the gym.
The results are amazing: I feel physically better, with a clear head, ready to tackle the challenges I was previously daunted by.
Successful people don’t simply work into oblivion or binge on junk food or alcohol, they’re all about balance.
Hence, they will frequently get their blood and endorphins flowing, by engaging in exercises they enjoy.
The latter helps to maintain cognitive and physical health, reduces stress, and improves mental clarity, among many other things.
3) They network and make new connections
Successful people understand that no man (or woman) is an island.
To thrive professionally and personally, other people typically have to be involved in the process.
I know many unsuccessful people who, at a certain point, essentially become closed off to the prospect of making new connections.
They have their set of friends from high school or college and decide to stop making the effort to make new connections.
This is the wrong mentality.
Limiting your relationships in life will not do you any favors, particularly when you’ve outgrown those relationships.
After all, you’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.
Sure, keep the friends from your past, but don’t be afraid to make new ones.
Remember, balance.
Building relationships through social events, conferences, and online platforms is critical for your growth as a person, and creating opportunities, both professional and personal.
4) They learn new skills
Successful people tend to have a growth mindset.
In essence, they aren’t content to confine themselves intellectually.
The world is a vast, intriguing place with fresh, stimulating lessons at every corner… if you want it to be.
The thing is many people would rather limit themselves, staying lazy and inflexible, unable or unwilling to see the bigger picture.
Learning new things requires mental energy and the type of effort they aren’t readily willing to make.
Successful people strive to become more complete people, this means continuous learning and seeking stimulation creatively and intellectually.
They know that their time on this planet is finite and therefore make every hour count.
This means they’ll invest time in learning new skills, whether related to their profession or personal interests, through courses, workshops, and even self-study.
5) They travel
Travel is one of my greatest passions in life.
Visiting a new place, meeting the locals, trying the food, and immersing myself in the culture?
Invaluable. It’s one of the things I live for.
As an entrepreneur, traveling and exposing myself to fresh people and places gives me ideas and inspiration.
As a writer, travel stimulates my inner creativity like very few things in the world can.
I have friends who genuinely don’t like travel and prefer to stay in one place and maintain their routines.
The thing is that success isn’t just about how much money you have in the bank, it’s about how vibrant and fulfilling your life is away from your work desk.
Travel (and other life experiences) always bridges this gap, in my opinion.
Take it from the late great travel writer and host Anthony Bourdain: “Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life — and travel — leaves marks on you.”
6) They spend quality time with loved ones
As established, successful people are all about balance.
Sometimes, the richest person in town isn’t the one with the most money; they’re the ones with the most caring and affectionate bonds away from work.
At the end of the day, what’s the point of acquiring wealth or climbing the career ladder, if you go home to an empty personal life?
Successful people tend to have their priorities in order.
They know that chasing material things will ultimately take them so far in terms of growth and fulfillment.
The latter sentiment manifests in a rich home life, with strong bonds and a healthy work-life balance.
7) They set goals and plan for the future
Sure, successful people might lounge around and do nothing on occasion, but there is a cap to this behavior.
Generally speaking, they live with overarching purpose and drive, whether in their off hours or not.
They know that life is a journey, and as long as they’re breathing, there will always be room for improvement.
From my experience with successful people, I’ve always noticed that goal-setting (both long-term and short-term) with them is a big deal.
Whether it’s a fitness, relationship, or professional goal, they’ll regularly plan for the future with strategy and regular reflection… a mentality that almost always extends to their off hours.
