14 things successful people never do in their free time

We’ve all found ourselves wondering what sets successful people apart at some point in our lives. 

I often used to wonder: How do they spend their time, especially their free time, differently than others? 

Are there certain habits or practices they avoid to maintain their success?

Well, after spending years observing, researching, and even interacting with some of these successful individuals, I’ve compiled a list of 15 things they never do in their free time. 

And the truth is, it’s not just about what they do, but also about what they consciously avoid doing. 

So, let’s dive in and discover the habits you might want to steer clear of if you’re aiming for success.

1) Successful people never waste their time on unproductive activities

A common theme I’ve noticed among truly successful individuals is their immense respect for time. 

They understand it’s the most valuable and scarce asset and use it wisely. They avoid unproductive activities like binge-watching TV shows or endlessly scrolling through social media. 

I bet you can relate to this: 

Scrolling down for hours of your day without even realizing it, and ending up with little to show for it. 

Instead, successful people utilize their free time in activities that add value to their lives. 

It doesn’t matter whether that’s learning a new skill, reading a book, or exercising, they make sure their activities contribute to their overall well-being and growth.

2) They don’t engage in negative self-talk

One thing successful people understand is the power of mindset. If you want to be successful, you need to know what that looks and doesn’t look like. 

Something that you won’t find in that mindset is indulging in negative self-talk. 

They recognize that it only serves to reinforce any insecurities or self-doubts they may have. 

Instead, successful people use positive affirmations and maintain a constructive inner dialogue. 

They remind themselves of their worth and capabilities, and this positive mindset allows them to face challenges head-on.

Think about it this way:

When you’ve made a mistake, what does your inner voice tell you? 

Does it criticize you? Or does it talk to you compassionately and constructively? 

In essence, the latter it’s the kind of self-talk that allows you to learn from your mistakes and get the courage to do better. 

3) They never stop learning

Did you know that the learning process doesn’t end for successful people once they leave the office or the work site?

You see, successful people are relentless and truth be told, at times borderline obsessive when it comes to learning.

When they put their mind to something, nothing can stop them. 

As you can imagine, their free time isn’t spent mindlessly but is often devoted to self-improvement and knowledge expansion. 

They’re also pretty good at multitasking… They’re those people you see in the metro who manage to learn a language or a skill on their phone while commuting to work! 

4) They don’t overlook their health

“Mens sana in corpore sano”

In other words, “A sound mind in a sound body” 

I bet you have seen people who embody this (and probably hated them just a tiny bit!) on social media. 

They seem to have the busiest schedules yet they manage to prioritize exercise, balanced nutrition, and adequate rest. 

Activities like yoga, meditation, or even just a walk in the park, are regular features of their free time. 

What’s their motivation? 

Well, this dedication to health helps them stay:

• Energetic
• Focused
• Prepared for any challenge

Let’s move on to the next thing successful people never do in their free time. 

5) They don’t isolate themselves

We are social animals, we thrive as part of a community, tribe, or society. Contrary to popular belief, successful people don’t spend all their free time alone. 

Whether it’s spending time with family, catching up with old friends, or meeting new people, they ensure to keep their social bonds strong. 

After all, these connections provide them with a support system, new perspectives, and opportunities for collaboration.

If you have talked to successful people, you might have realized that spending time alone, reflecting, and analyzing past experiences is not more important than networking. 

In fact, their connections are a fundamental piece to success.

6) They never avoid self-reflection

This trait comes as a no-brainer. 

Remember that important mindset we talked about in point 1? 

This is an essential part of it. 

Successful people regularly take time to reflect on their goals, their progress towards them, and any changes they may need to make. 

This reflective practice helps them stay grounded, and focused and ensures they’re on the right track.

7) They don’t neglect their passions

This is probably what most us admire about successful people… 

Despite being super busy, they never forget what makes them happy outside their professional sphere. 

The truth is, they don’t allow their work to consume all their time and energy. Instead, they set aside time for their hobbies and passions. 

This balance between work and passion not only reduces stress but also contributes to overall happiness and satisfaction.

Some may love painting, cooking, traveling, or playing an instrument. 

But whichever the hobby might be, they ensure to keep it present in their life. 

After all, it’s what gets their creative juices flowing. 

8) They never remain in their comfort zone

The comfort zone is a no-go zone for these individuals.

This constant pursuit of growth keeps them dynamic and adaptable.

They thrive in taking on new challenges, learning new skills, and engaging in activities that may initially seem intimidating. 

In other words, being out of their comfort zone keeps them on their toes! 

You see, they’re confident in their abilities, and enjoy immersing in new activities without previous experience to test themselves. 

9) They don’t disregard the importance of relaxation

Being successful is a cocktail of circumstances. But one thing is for sure:

It comes easier if coupled with a strong self-awareness and knowledge of oneself. 

That said, successful people have probably faced burnout more than once. They understand that success doesn’t mean always being in “go” mode. 

They well know the importance of rest. 

Meditation, spending time in nature, or simply enjoying a quiet evening at home, they make sure to give themselves a break.

10) They never lose sight of their goals

Arguably, success for many is a set of habits. 

Never losing sight of their goals ensures that they’re always driven and ready to make their vision a reality.

These people don’t lose focus on their goals, even during their free time. 

In fact, they use their free time to strategize, plan, and visualize their success. 

It won’t be strange to see them enjoying an afternoon with friends and suddenly popping out a little notepad because they had their latest most brilliant idea! 

It’s something I’ve tried doing more of. Keeping a visual representation of my goals so I don’t lose sight of them. So far, it’s helped a lot in keeping me motivated and focused. 

11) They never stop questioning

Curiosity is the fuel for lifelong learning. 

And successful people remain curious. No matter their age or how many years of experience they might have, they don’t stop questioning, exploring, or innovating, even during their leisure time. 

But that’s not all, they also listen to the younger and inexperienced with an open mind and respect. 

The truth is they always seek answers, new ideas, and growth opportunities. 

This curiosity feeds their creativity and keeps them ahead of the curve.

12) They never resist change

We’ve all been there, nowadays everything moves fast. 

Your employer sets up software at work and by the time you master it, there’s a new software that’s better, prettier, and faster. 

For normal folk, it might sound like a nightmare… “Oh no! Now, I have to learn it all over again”, you may hear in the office halls. 

However, successful people have a different mentality. They might think more along the lines of: 

“Oh, new software? And you say it’s better and faster? Bring it on” 

They understand change is the only constant so they don’t try to resist the inevitable, instead they embrace it. 

In essence, this ability keeps them always ready to adapt to new situations, learn from them, and evolve. 

13) They never miss an opportunity to help others

When you know what it takes to be successful is hard to not show gratitude and be willing to give back. 

Many successful people have struggled and most likely received help along their journey. 

No one achieves success solely by themselves, so they make it a point not to miss opportunities to aid others and contribute to their community.

Consider this: 

These are the people you should seek out if you’re in search of a mentor or assistance with a cherished cause. 

Your chances of getting their support will especially increase if you show them how their involvement can significantly impact the lives of those around them.

14) They never stop dreaming

Lastly, successful people never stop dreaming. 

This is probably the thing I love most about them – it’s not all black and white, boring meetings and tons of paper work. 

Behind each successful person’s achievements is a dream. A dream to make a better life for themselves. 

That, to me, is pretty inspirational. But it’s also a great reminder to the rest of us to never stop dreaming. 

Final thoughts

In conclusion, the habits successful people cultivate and avoid are instrumental in their journey towards success. 

Their conscious decision to spend their free time productively, focusing on personal growth, health, relationships, and constant learning while avoiding negative habits, is something we can all follow. 

Remember, it’s not just about achieving success, it’s about maintaining it and continually growing as individuals.