When Neil Patrick Harris was in his late teens to early twenties, he skyrocketed to fame from the American series Doogie Howser, M.D. With his outstanding talent, he quickly became a rising star among his peers. While his friends in Hollywood enjoyed drinking, doing drugs, and partying, Neil realized early on that such a lifestyle wasn't for him. Instead, he began spending his free time on different pursuits. As mentioned in his autobiography, whenever he had a break of 2-3 weeks, Neil would fly to New York to see as many Broadway shows as possible, sometimes attending up to two shows a day. Why? Because he wanted to spend his free time watching top-notch actors in the world's leading theater productions. Neil knew he could absorb invaluable lessons from every show, which helped him carve out his own acting career, becoming an award-winning actor, writer, presenter, and host.

          Therefore, how you spend your time after work—what you do in the evenings, on weekends, and during vacations—will significantly impact your career path. If you aspire to achieve great success in your work, you must also spend your time outside of work mindfully and purposefully. Think back to your past days or holidays. How did you spend that free time? Did you engage in activities that would promote your career or hold you back? Now is the time to reinvent yourself! Here’s a list of 10 things successful people do in their free time. Let’s take a look!

          1. They Exercise

          We know you've heard this a hundred times, but we have to say it again because exercising can boost creativity, confidence, and resilience in both work and personal life. Don't avoid it any longer! Moving your body is genuinely beneficial for your work. A great example is Barack and Michelle Obama, both of whom enjoy exercising. The CEO of Smart even practices yoga at the office, inspiring employees to join in. Even the legendary Fred Rogers started each day with a swim. If you want to increase your productivity at work, try spending your free time being active.

          2. They Seek Inspiration and New Experiences

          Neil Patrick Harris goes to Broadway shows, and Elizabeth Gilbert, a famous author, travels around the world. Therefore, Danielle LaPorte, a writer and business and creativity expert, suggests stepping out of your usual life. If you're a chef, try visiting a museum. If you're a painter, dine at a five-star restaurant. Look for inspiration in unfamiliar places. Putting yourself in new and interesting environments, whether in familiar settings or faraway places, can unlock your mind and make you a highly creative problem solver. Being a homebody may sound appealing, but forward-thinking individuals, talented people, and CEOs are certainly not those who lazily lounge on the couch all day.

          3. They Build Genuine Relationships

          Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States, was famous for hosting dinner parties where he invited interesting people to join him. He would then pose deep philosophical questions for everyone at the table to answer—no small talk allowed! He understood the value of relationships very well. Genuine connections that involve face-to-face conversations are much deeper than casual chats like, “Nice weather today.” When was the last time you had a meaningful conversation about something profound with a colleague, close friend, or mentor? Take a cue from Jefferson and host a dinner party like this at your home; these relationships and ideas can transform your work life.

          4. They Say No (A Lot)

          Steve Jobs once said, “People think focus means saying yes to the things you have to focus on, but that’s not it at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are.” Successful people know they cannot do everything, go everywhere, and help everyone in one day or one lifetime. They understand they cannot take on every project, attend every party, or even respond to every simple request from friends. They must choose their battles carefully and avoid trying to do too many things at once, which can lead to poor outcomes. A simple tip when someone asks for your help is to ask yourself, “Will saying yes to this help me achieve my goals more easily or make it harder?”

          5. They Spend Time in Nature

          Have you heard of the term “Nature Deficit Disorder”? This phrase was first coined by Richard Louv in his book “Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit Disorder.” Richard believes that our indoor behaviors are linked to various health and behavioral issues. It’s challenging to excel in both personal life and work, especially when you’re constantly breathing air from air conditioning and working under fluorescent lights all week. That’s not an ideal life! Ambitious people often spend time in nature and embrace outdoor living, allowing the beauty of nature to recharge them, including opportunities for hiking, climbing, skiing, or surfing.

          6. They Unplug

          Many people desire to have “unplugged” time on weekdays or weekends, meaning no communication devices, no Wi-Fi, no emails, and no social media. These moments can rejuvenate your body and mind. There’s even a national unplugging campaign! Oprah Winfrey (who some debate is the busiest person in the world) makes time on Sunday mornings to read a good book or lounge in her pajamas, genuinely taking a break from technology. Oprah says, “I make Sundays a day for renewal, a day when I do absolutely nothing.” Technology is wonderful, but successful people know when it’s time to take a break.

          7. They Maximize Their Evening Routines

          We know that morning routines can help us have great days and work effectively, right? But many successful people also understand that ending the day properly prepares them for a fresh start the next day with energy, creativity, and efficiency.

Benjamin Franklin, a scientist and important statesman of the United States, would reflect every night before bed, asking himself, “What good things did I do today?” Ingmar Bergman, a Swedish director, writer, and producer, would read before bed, which has been medically proven to reduce stress. Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, turns off her phone when she goes to bed because she dislikes being disturbed by noise in the middle of the night. Arianna Huffington, president of the Huffington Post, says, “Creativity, intelligence, confidence, leadership, and decision-making abilities can all be easily cultivated by simply getting enough sleep.” Pay attention to your evening routine so that you can wake up refreshed and energized to achieve success and happiness.

          8. They Take Real Vacations

          Images of Taylor Swift lounging on the beach amidst crystal-clear blue waters convey a million words. If a superstar like Taylor can find time to relax, so can you.

          9. They Take Classes and Invest in Themselves

          Dick Costolo, former CEO of Twitter, stated that taking improv comedy classes made him a better leader. Similarly, Emma Watson, the beautiful actress known for her role as Hermione, chose to continue her studies at Brown University (and she has since graduated!). Whether it’s life coaching classes, therapy, acting workshops, pursuing a master’s degree, or various training courses related to your interests, successful people understand that investing in themselves—both physically and mentally—will lead to success.

          10. They Manage Stress and Take Care of Themselves

          Marianne Elliott, a human rights lawyer who was once stationed in Afghanistan, began practicing yoga to create a peaceful atmosphere amid the violence of war. She found that even just practicing yoga, which involves breathing exercises, could maintain her mental health and enable her to carry out important work under such pressure. You may not be working in a war zone like Marianne, but regardless of where you work or what you do, you will undoubtedly encounter stress, uncertainty, vague thoughts, or fatigue. If you don’t take care of yourself—if you don’t get enough sleep, eat healthily, or allow negative emotions to overwhelm you—you’ll find it challenging to work under stress. Successful people know that whenever you feel unwell or disturbed by anything, it will undoubtedly affect the quality of your work and your success.

          So, make the most of your free time. Choose to engage in activities that are good for your health when you’re not working, and you will return to work with energy and enthusiasm. There are 168 hours in a week; you might spend 40 hours working, leaving 128 hours for sleeping, eating well, relaxing, and doing whatever you want. Use your time wisely!

Thank you for the information from www.workventure.com