10 things highly successful people never do after 8 PM

by Brendan Brown | September 9, 2024, 1:45 am

Ever wondered what successful people don’t do after 8 PM?

Well, you’re in luck because we’re about to spill the beans!

Let’s get going!

1. They don’t just scroll on phones

It’s easy to fall into the trap of endless scrolling on our phones, isn’t it?

One minute you’re checking a message, and the next thing you know, you’re deep into the rabbit hole of memes and cat videos.

But here’s the catch – successful people don’t do that.

Once the clock strikes 8 PM, they consciously limit their screen time. They understand that every minute spent mindlessly scrolling is a minute lost. Instead of letting their time slip away in the virtual world, they use their evenings more productively.

The bottom line is, successful people value their time too much to waste it on aimless scrolling.

They disconnect to reconnect with themselves and their surroundings, making every moment count.

2. They don’t think negatively

After a long day, it’s easy to get caught up in a whirlpool of negative thoughts.

Maybe something went wrong at work, or perhaps you had a disagreement with a friend. It’s natural to ruminate over these situations.

However, successful people choose not to dwell on negativity after 8 PM.

They understand that these thoughts can not only ruin their evening but also impact their sleep and mood for the next day.

Instead of focusing on what went wrong, they shift their perspective to what went right. They look for positive aspects in their day, no matter how small.

They might practice gratitude, taking a moment to appreciate the good things in their life. This helps them create a positive mindset and see obstacles as opportunities rather than problems.

In short, successful people don’t let negative thoughts take over their evenings. 

3. They don’t eat big meals late at night

I’ve learned the hard way that scarfing down a big meal late at night isn’t the best idea.

It was a habit I had developed over time – coming home late from work, I’d prepare a heavy dinner and eat right before bedtime. It felt like the perfect way to unwind after a stressful day.

However, I soon realized this habit was taking a toll on my health.

I would wake up feeling bloated and sluggish, which would affect my productivity throughout the day. Plus, my sleep quality was terrible – I’d toss and turn all night and wake up feeling even more tired.

That’s when I decided to follow in the footsteps of successful people and cut down on late-night heavy meals.

Instead, I started having my dinner early, latest by 8 PM, and kept it light and healthy. And if I felt peckish later in the evening, I’d snack on something light like fruits.

The transformation was amazing! Not only did my sleep quality improve significantly, but I also woke up feeling refreshed and energetic. 

So take it from me (and countless successful people!), eating heavy meals late at night is a no-no if you want to wake up feeling ready to conquer the world!

4. They don’t work all the time

Contrary to popular belief, successful people aren’t glued to their work 24/7. Rather, they understand the concept of ‘work hard, play hard.’

After 8 PM, they switch off their work mode and engage in activities that help them unwind and recharge.

This might seem counterintuitive to some.

After all, isn’t success all about putting in long hours and burning the midnight oil? Well, not quite.

In fact, research shows that overworking can lead to burnout, decreased productivity, and even health issues in the long run.

One interesting study shows that productivity per hour declines sharply when a person works more than 50 hours a week. After 55 hours, productivity drops so much that putting in any more hours is pointless!

So, successful people prioritize work-life balance. They know when to put work aside and enjoy their personal time. It could be watching their favorite TV show, spending time with family, or simply catching up on sleep.

The takeaway? Success isn’t about working non-stop. It’s about working smart and knowing when to take a break. 

5. They don’t forget their family and friends

In the rush of chasing success and striving to achieve our goals, it’s all too easy to neglect the people who truly matter – our loved ones.

But, successful people understand that success isn’t just about accolades or financial wealth; it’s also about nurturing the relationships that are important to us.

After 8 PM, these high achievers make sure to set aside time for their loved ones.

Whether it’s playing board games with the kids, having heart-to-heart conversations with their partners, or simply catching up over a cup of tea with their parents, they know that these moments are priceless.

6. They don’t ignore their health

A couple of years ago, in my pursuit of success, I was neglecting a critical aspect – my health.

I used to be so engrossed in my work that I overlooked the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It wasn’t until my energy levels started plummeting and my productivity began to suffer that I realized something needed to change.

Taking inspiration from successful people, I decided to prioritize my health after 8 PM.

Instead of working late into the night, I started dedicating this time to self-care activities.

I started meditating to help relieve stress and enhance focus.

I also started going for evening walks – not only did this help me stay fit, but it also gave me time to clear my head and reflect on my day.

And let’s not forget about getting enough sleep! I made sure to hit the sack early and get a solid 7-8 hours of sleep every night.

The results were astonishing. Not only did I feel more energetic and lively, but my overall productivity also improved significantly.

My mind was sharper, and I was able to accomplish more in less time.

7. They don’t skip planning for tomorrow

Let’s be honest, planning isn’t always fun.

It can feel tedious and maybe even a bit unnecessary – after all, why spend time planning when you can dive straight into action, right? Wrong.

I’ll tell you a hard truth – without a plan, you’re setting yourself up for a chaotic day.

Successful people know this all too well. They understand that failing to plan is planning to fail.

So, after 8 PM, they don’t just call it a day and hit the hay. Instead, they take out a few minutes to plan for the next day.

They jot down their tasks, set their priorities straight and make sure they have a clear roadmap for what needs to be done.

This isn’t about being a control freak or obsessing over every tiny detail. It’s about setting clear goals and having a direction.

It gives them a head start and keeps them focused on what truly matters.

8. They don’t stay up very late

You might think burning the midnight oil is a habit of successful people.

But in reality, successful individuals understand the importance of a good night’s sleep. They know that staying up late can affect their ability to think clearly and make good decisions the next day.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per night.

But it’s not just about quantity, it’s also about quality. A poor night’s sleep can leave you feeling groggy and unproductive, no matter how many hours you’ve clocked in.

Successful people value their sleep because they know it’s their secret weapon for peak performance. It’s during sleep that your body rests, rejuvenates, and prepares for the next day. 

So they make it a point to go to bed at a reasonable hour and create a sleep-friendly environment – dark, quiet, and cool. 

In short, if you want to be successful, don’t underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep. 

9. They don’t take their work to bed

I’ll be honest, I used to be guilty of this one.

After a long day of work, I’d find myself bringing my laptop to bed, hoping to check off just one more task off my list.

But guess what? There was always another email to respond to, another document to review, another task demanding my attention.

Before I knew it, it would be way past my bedtime, and I’d have robbed myself of precious relaxation and sleep time.

That’s when I realized that successful people have a strict rule – no work in the bedroom. The bedroom is a  place for rest and relaxation, not a continuation of the office.

By taking work to bed, not only was I hampering my sleep quality, but I was also blurring the lines between my professional and personal life.

So, I made a conscious decision to keep work out of my bedroom.

After 8 PM, my laptop stays shut, and my phone is on silent mode. Instead of working, I use this time to unwind – maybe read a book or listen to some calming music.

The result? Not only did my sleep quality improve significantly, but it also made me more productive during my working hours.

By creating clear boundaries between work and rest, I was able to give my 100% to both without feeling overwhelmed or overworked.

10. They don’t ignore self-reflection

We all have our highs and lows. Our moments of triumph and times when we stumble.

But often we forget to pause and reflect on these moments. We’re always in a hurry to move on to the next big thing.

But here’s some raw honesty for you – without self-reflection, we’re setting ourselves up for a cycle of repetitive mistakes and missed opportunities for growth.

Successful people get this. After 8 PM, they take a moment to reflect on their day. The good, the bad, the ugly – everything.

They acknowledge their wins but also confront their failures. They question their actions, evaluate their decisions and consider how they could do better.

It’s not always pleasant, I’ll tell you that.

Looking inward and acknowledging your mistakes can be uncomfortable. It’s much easier to brush it under the carpet and pretend everything’s just fine.

But successful people don’t take the easy way out.

Wrapping up

And that’s it! Ten things successful people never do after 8 PM.

Remember, success is not just about what you do; it’s also about what you don’t do!

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