When you think about professional success, you
think about the strategies and behaviors that people
exemplify when at work. You think about what
people do during the 9-5 working hours, and
whether they extend those hours by coming in early
or staying late to tackle projects. What they do
when they get home, or on weekends, when they're
away from the office and away from their
computers, doesn't enter your mind. But here's the
thing: it should.
How people spend their free time can actually have
a big impact on their success in the professional
world. Successful people tend to spend their free
time in these seven ways (and more, of course), so
read below and find out why:
1. They Exercise. Physical exercise is important for
both physical and mental health. Taking a half hour
after work or on a weekend can get your blood
pumping, get your endorphins flowing, and revitalize
your spirit. You'll build muscle, burn calories, and
oxygenate your brain--giving you a release after a
day of stress. Exercising regularly also helps you
remain disciplined, which can be valuable in a
demanding work environment, and can reduce the
long-term effects of stress as well--meaning regular
exercisers tend to be less stressed about their jobs.
You'll also look better and feel better, which gives
you greater confidence.
2. They Read. Reading is a lifelong skill, and
successful people never stop reading new books.
Whether it's fiction or nonfiction, books help give
you a greater understanding of the world around
you. They introduce you to new characters, new
environments, new cultures, new philosophies, and
new ideas, and might even help you build new skills
(if you're reading nonfiction, at least). Similarly,
reading regularly helps to build your vocabulary and
your semantic comprehension, giving you greater
communication skills--and something to make small
talk about during those particularly awkward
business meetings.
3. They Take Classes. Education shouldn't stop at
college, and shouldn't be restricted to institutions.
The most successful people in the world are the
ones who make a commitment to never stop
learning. They're always incorporating new skills for
their resumes and learning new aspects of the world
around them. Instructional courses aren't particularly
difficult to find, either, especially in the modern era.
Many local colleges offer courses for free, and you
can peruse local forums or gatherings to find
impromptu group workshops. And don't
underestimate the value of free online courses. If
you have a free hour and an Internet connection,
you can start learning a new skill.
4. They Volunteer. Volunteering, no matter where or
how you do it, is beneficial for you and your
community. Whether you're helping to clean up a
highway, working in a soup kitchen, or providing
mentorship to a group of young professionals, your
time goes a long way toward improving the
community around you. Professionals primed for
success realize the importance of giving back to the
community, and feel happier because of it.
Volunteering is also a valuable networking
experience, introducing you to other people who,
one way or another, can help you drive your career
forward.
5. They Network. Many networking events exist
outside the realm of corporate hours. They include
weekend breakfasts, cocktail hours, and after-hours
gatherings for conversation and usually food and
drinks. Successful people are willing to step outside
their comfort zones in an effort to meet new
people--regardless of any professional
circumstances surrounding that effort. They're not
necessarily interested in meeting people to land new
sales or find a new employee--instead, they simply
like talking to people and meeting people, and
success naturally follows them from there. The
wider your network of contacts is, the more
opportunities you'll have down the road.
6. They Have Hobbies. Focusing exclusively on work
might seem like a fast track to success. With
nothing else distracting you, you can funnel your full
effort into your job and do in one week what would
take most people two. But this approach has a nasty
downside; it stresses you out, sets you up for
burnout, and prevents you from developing skills in
any other areas. Finding and pursuing a hobby, on
the other hand, helps you relieve stress, put your job
in perspective, and build skills that complement ones
you use at work. It's a breath of fresh air that keeps
you grounded, and if it's a social hobby, also offers
networking opportunities.
7. They Spend Time With Friends and Family. I
implied it in the last point, but I'll reiterate it more
strongly here: your job isn't everything. Focusing too
much on your career is self-sabotage, no matter
how counterintuitive that might sound. If you want
to be successful in life, you have to prioritize your
personal relationships--your bond with your friends
and family members. No matter how much you want
to be successful and climb the corporate ladder
quickly, you can't neglect your friends and family to
do it.
If you don't spend your free time like this, it doesn't
mean you have no chance of being successful.
However, picking up some of these strategies can
improve your abilities, improve your mindset, and
expand your network to levels that will increase your
chances for success in the workplace. Start
incorporating a few of them into your free time
routines and you might just be surprised at the
results.
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