10 Things Successful People Always Do In Their Free Time (Instead Of Watching Netflix)

Let’s be honest: after a long day, nothing feels easier than crashing on the couch and firing up Netflix. The dopamine hit of a new episode is immediate, effortless, and numbing.

But here’s a little secret: most highly successful people aren’t doing that. Not regularly, at least.

Instead, they use their free time a little differently — not always productively in the traditional sense, but in ways that expand their mindset, deepen their focus, and sharpen their edge. And no, it’s not all work and no play. It’s about choosing activities that give back more than they take.

Here are 10 things successful people always seem to do in their free time — and why they’re worth considering if you want to rise above the noise.

1. They choose boredom (and let their minds wander)

Instead of filling every gap with stimulation, successful people often lean into silence.

They go for a walk without earbuds. They sit on the balcony and stare out into the distance. They let their thoughts flow without force.

Why? Because creativity lives in the gaps.

Studies show that daydreaming can enhance problem-solving and boost goal-setting. Some of my best business ideas came not during deep work, but when I was doing absolutely nothing — just walking through Saigon or zoning out after a run.

The modern world trains us to fear boredom. But boredom is where the mind stretches and breathes. Successful people know this.

2. They treat their body like a business partner

Watch closely, and you’ll notice something: successful people move.

They exercise. They stretch. They walk. They rest when needed. They don’t see the body as separate from success — they treat it like an equal shareholder in their life.

Personally, I run almost every day in Vietnam’s muggy heat. Some days it feels like a slog. But I always come back sharper. It’s my reset button. And whether it’s cycling, yoga, swimming, or lifting — movement is a gateway to clarity.

When you ignore your body, your mind pays the price. Successful people flip that equation.

3. They protect their attention like a sacred asset

Scrolling is the new smoking — addictive, numbing, and invisible in the moment. But successful people guard their attention like it’s currency (because it is).

Instead of giving in to every notification, they create boundaries. No-phone hours. App limits. Do-not-disturb modes. Many even use old-school tools like physical notebooks, timers, or dumbphones to stay anchored.

The average person touches their phone over 2,000 times a day. Successful people? Far less — not because they’re better, but because they’re more intentional.

They don’t just manage time. They manage attention. And in a world of distraction, that’s a superpower.

4. They reflect, write, and actually think

Here’s something I do nearly every week that’s made a huge difference: I sit down with a notebook and ask myself real questions.

• What am I avoiding right now?
• What’s working that I haven’t acknowledged?
• What’s one uncomfortable truth I need to face?

This kind of reflection helps cut through the noise. It forces me to reconnect with what matters — not what’s trending.

In my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How to Live with Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego, I talk about a practice called “mindful inquiry.” It’s not just about mindfulness in the sense of closing your eyes and breathing — it’s about going inward with sharp curiosity. Asking questions that make you uncomfortable. Sitting with the answers.

Highly successful people don’t just think — they reflect. And they often do it with pen and paper.

5. They study people, not just content

While others binge shows, successful people often binge something else: behavior.

They watch interviews, read biographies, and study how others move through the world — not to imitate, but to understand patterns.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve rewatched interviews with Naval Ravikant, Warren Buffett, or even comedians like Dave Chappelle. There’s something powerful in seeing how someone thinks on their feet. What they emphasize. Where they pause. What they don’t say.

It’s real-world psychology. And if you’re trying to level up in business, relationships, or creative work, studying people beats passive entertainment every time.

6. They learn something that has no ROI (at first)

Here’s a strange truth: successful people often devote time to things that don’t make them money… at least not immediately.

Maybe it’s learning a language, playing an instrument, taking photos, or reading ancient philosophy.

The point isn’t productivity — it’s expansion. They’re feeding curiosity. Widening the range of what they’re exposed to.

I’m learning Vietnamese right now. Not for business. Not for content. Just to be closer to my wife’s family and, eventually, to help raise our child bilingually. But even in that, I’ve noticed unexpected benefits: better memory, deeper patience, sharper listening.

Not every skill needs a monetized outcome. Sometimes the side quest is the one that changes you the most.

7. They connect deeply with a few people

In a world full of shallow digital noise, successful people tend to go the other way: deep and meaningful.

They don’t text everyone. They don’t say yes to every invitation. Instead, they cultivate a few strong connections and invest in those.

This could mean:

• Calling an old friend just to check in
• Having a long dinner with someone who inspires you
• Spending uninterrupted time with your partner or child

Strong relationships don’t happen accidentally. They require intention. Successful people schedule intimacy — and they show up for it fully.

8. They build before they consume

Here’s a litmus test I try to follow: Have I created something before I consumed today?

This could be as simple as journaling, writing a new article, or editing a piece of content before checking social media. The act of creating — even if it’s private — changes your posture toward the world. It moves you from reactive to proactive.

Netflix wants you to consume. YouTube wants you to scroll. Instagram wants you to spectate.

Successful people want to build. Even if it’s small, they always leave the day having created more than they consumed.

9. They revisit their principles

It sounds boring, but it’s powerful: successful people often return to their core beliefs.

They review their values. Reread the same books. Re-watch the same talks. Reconnect with their “why.”

I have a handful of books I revisit yearly — not for new information, but for re-grounding. One of them is The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. Another is Thich Nhat Hanh’s Peace Is Every Step.

Why go back? Because principles don’t age. They deepen. And in a world addicted to novelty, going back to the basics is radical.

10. They allow space for joy

Here’s the part many hustle-culture types miss: successful people also play.

But here’s the difference — their play is often fully present.

They garden, cook, surf, play board games with friends, or chase their toddler around the park. And when they do it, they’re not half-on Slack or checking Instagram.

The point isn’t the activity — it’s the presence. The joy.

Because here’s the truth: joy is not separate from success. It’s the fuel that sustains it.

Final thoughts

It’s tempting to think success comes from grinding harder or sacrificing more.

But in reality, it often comes down to how we use the quiet moments. The evenings. The weekends. The in-between time when no one is watching.

That’s where identity is built. That’s where momentum compounds.

So the next time you reach for the remote, just ask: What would the future version of me want me to do right now?

And if you’re interested in learning how Buddhist wisdom and modern psychology intersect to help you live with more clarity and less ego, check out my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How to Live with Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego. It’s written from the trenches — no fluff, no platitudes. Just the real tools that have helped me live and lead more intentionally.

Success isn’t a sprint. It’s a series of choices — especially when no one’s watching.

And those choices add up.

Did you like my article? Like me on Facebook to see more articles like this in your feed.