10 Kick-Ass Things to do After Hours to Transform Your Future
Spoiler: mine were NOT about making art
Most people aren’t cut out to be entrepreneurs—and that’s okay. Real transformation doesn’t happen because you lucked into some "chosen one" narrative; it happens in those gritty hours after your day job. What you do after you punch out can massively influence where you’ll end up in the next couple of years.
1. Plot Your Escape
Top of the list, no shocker here. Stuck in a job that sucks your soul? Stop whining and start planning. I spent almost a decade plotting my escape from the corporate hellhole, battling mental demons along the way. It shouldn’t take that long, but fear's a bitch. Don’t skimp—invest in communities. The point? Transition from a drone doing obligatory work to a badass chasing your passions.
2. Make Some New Friends
Your current friends might turn dull, pop out kids, or move to who-knows-where. It's natural. Instead of moping around, dive into the internet’s endless pool of interesting people. Reach out without expecting a damn thing in return. Surprise, surprise—people usually write back. Keep it real, and who knows where those chats might lead.
3. Ditch Netflix for Nerding Out
Transforming your future means changing how you think, and that requires new knowledge. Self-educate. Dive deep into whatever fascinates you outside of those dreary work hours. Remember, subscribing to Netflix is basically a subscription to mediocrity.
4. Start Spilling Your Thoughts
Hate writing? Perfect. Online, nobody cares if you're Hemingway. Share stories, curate ideas, and just start typing. Being invisible online is like being invisible in life. Writing helps you connect, create opportunities, and make sense of your chaos.
5. Hustle for That Passive Income
Want to stress less about money? Figure out passive income. Test ideas that complement your day job. It’s not about quick cash; it’s about smart, creative side hustles that gradually build your financial freedom while continuing to educate yourself.
6. Read Something Deliciously Fiction-y
Forget hoarding self-help books that everyone pretends to read. Grab a juicy novel. Fiction is the brain’s way of meditating. It’s sneaky learning without the self-help fluff, wrapped in stories that actually make you feel alive.
7. Delete, Delete, Delete
Almost every night, I take a minute to delete the apps I don’t use. It’s cleansing, like a digital detox. What apps clutter your phone, steal your focus, or just plain suck? Trash 'em. A clean phone means a clear mind.
8. Get Real About Your Pain Points
We’ve all got our vices. Understanding bad habits and addiction is powerful. It’s not just about quitting; it’s about understanding why you started. Dive into the why, and you might just beat it for good.
9. Go Play
Life’s too short to be all work and no play. Got kids? Awesome. No kids? Borrow your friend’s. Just kidding (sort of). Play is where creativity and wisdom collide. It’s where you remember how to be human again.
10. Let Yourself Off the Hook (sometimes)
Not every night has to be about conquering the world. Sometimes, it’s okay to just be. Sit back, take a breath, and let yourself relax. Not every moment is a step on the path to greatness, and that’s perfectly fine.
So there you have it, your no-nonsense guide to owning the hours most people waste, because what you do after clocking out might just be the most important work you do all day.
