7 things highly intelligent people never waste time on after work, according to psychology

For a long time, I found myself squandering precious hours after work on activities that brought no real value to my life.

You know what I’m talking about:

– Mindlessly scrolling through social media
– Binge-watching TV shows
– Worrying about the future
– Staying stuck in the past.

There was a time when my post-work routine was far from productive.

It was during this period that I stumbled upon research pointing to specific habits that highly intelligent people consciously avoid after their work hours. Instantly, I was intrigued.

I began to delve deeper and found 7 compelling behaviours that these individuals never wasted their time on. As I implemented these habits into my own life, I saw a dramatic shift in my overall productivity and happiness.

In this article, I’ll be sharing these 7 things that highly intelligent people never waste time on after work, according to psychology. I hope they can bring positive changes to your life, just as they did for mine.

Let’s dive in.

1) Mindless scrolling on social media

It might seem harmless, but this habit can eat up hours of your time without you even realizing it. And what do we get in return? A temporary distraction, and often, a sense of dissatisfaction.

For me, it was a hard habit to break. The pull of Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter was strong. But I knew that every moment I spent mindlessly scrolling was a moment I could have spent on something more fulfilling.

So I decided to limit my social media use. Instead of reaching for my phone every time I had a free moment, I started to use that time to read, meditate, or engage in a hobby.

It wasn’t easy at first. The urge to check my phone was strong. But slowly, I started to notice a change. I felt more productive, more focused, and surprisingly, more relaxed.

If you’re finding yourself stuck in the social media loop, try setting boundaries for yourself. Dedicate specific times for social media use and stick to it.

You’d be surprised at how much time you’ll reclaim for activities that truly enrich your life.

2) Holding onto grudges

A few years back, I had a falling out with a close friend. Instead of addressing the issue, I let resentment build up. I held onto that grudge, letting it consume my thoughts and energy long after work hours.

Then, one day, I came across a quote by the renowned psychologist Dr. Wayne Dyer: “Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.”

That quote hit me hard. I realized that by holding onto this grudge, I was only hurting myself. It was taking up mental space that could be used for growth and learning.

So, I decided to let go. It wasn’t easy, and it didn’t happen overnight. But as I consciously worked on releasing that resentment, I found myself feeling lighter and more at peace.

Holding onto grudges only drains your energy and happiness. Highly intelligent people understand this and choose to use their time and energy in more positive ways.

If you find yourself clinging onto past wrongs, try to let go. It’s not about them; it’s about freeing yourself.

3) Overworking

I’ll admit, I used to be a workaholic. The concept of ‘work-life balance‘ seemed foreign to me. After work hours, you’d often find me answering emails, making plans for the next day or just worrying about work-related issues.

This continuous cycle of overworking led to burnout. I was constantly tired, and irritable, and my productivity started to decline.

It was then that I realized the importance of setting boundaries between work and personal time. After work, I began to consciously disconnect from all work-related activities. Instead, I dedicated that time to relax, pursue hobbies, or spend time with loved ones.

The change was noticeable. I was more relaxed, happier, and surprisingly, more productive during my working hours.

If you’re caught in the cycle of overworking, remember that rest is just as important as hard work. Highly intelligent people know that to perform at their best, they need to take time out to recharge and rejuvenate.

So switch off that laptop, stop checking those emails, and give yourself the break you deserve.

4) Neglecting physical health

I used to be guilty of this. After a tiring day, the last thing I wanted to do was to hit the gym or cook a healthy meal. It felt easier to order takeout and collapse on the sofa.

Then, I came across a study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine which found that employees who make time for regular physical activity have lower stress levels, better concentration, and improved mental function.

This was the wake-up call I needed. I started making small changes in my routine. Instead of ordering takeout, I began meal prepping on weekends. Instead of lounging on the sofa, I started going for evening walks.

The results were immediate and profound. I had more energy, my sleep improved, and I was able to handle stress better.

If you’re neglecting your physical health because you’re too tired after work, remember that even small changes can make a big difference.

Highly intelligent people understand that taking care of their physical health is an investment in their overall well-being and productivity.

5) Engaging in negative self-talk

One thing that highly intelligent people never waste their time on after work is engaging in negative self-talk.

I used to be my own worst critic. After a long day at work, I would find myself replaying situations in my head, criticizing my actions, and doubting my abilities.

Over time, this negative self-talk started to take a toll on my self-esteem and happiness.

Then I realized that the way I talked to myself mattered. I needed to be kinder, and more compassionate. Instead of letting negative thoughts consume me, I started consciously countering them with positive affirmations.

The change was significant. I felt more confident, less stressed, and generally happier.

It’s essential to understand that the words we tell ourselves can shape our reality. Highly intelligent people know this and choose to engage in positive self-talk, fostering a healthier mindset and improved well-being.

If you find yourself stuck in a loop of negative self-talk, remember – you deserve kindness, especially from yourself.

So be gentle with yourself, acknowledge your efforts, and celebrate your victories – no matter how small they may seem.

6) Procrastinating

Confession time: I used to be a master procrastinator. After work, I would often put off tasks that needed to be done, convincing myself that I would do them ‘later’.

But ‘later’ rarely came, and tasks started piling up, causing unnecessary stress.

Then I came across a quote by the famous psychologist Dr. Jordan Peterson: “If you have something hard to do, it’s better to do it sooner rather than later.”

These words resonated with me. I realized that by procrastinating, I was only creating more work and stress for my future self.

So, I decided to tackle tasks as soon as they came up, instead of putting them off. This simple shift in mindset led to increased productivity and a significant decrease in stress.

If you find yourself stuck in the cycle of procrastination, remember Dr. Peterson’s words. Tackling tasks sooner rather than later can save you a lot of time and unnecessary stress in the long run.

Highly intelligent people understand this and choose to act proactively rather than delaying tasks.

7) Trying to be productive all the time

Here’s a counterintuitive one: Highly intelligent people understand that they don’t need to be productive all the time.

I used to think that every moment after work had to be filled with some sort of productive activity. Whether it was reading a book, learning a new skill, or even working out, I felt compelled to constantly be ‘doing’ something.

But this constant drive to be productive began to feel exhausting. I realized that I was not giving myself the time to simply unwind and do nothing.

The truth is, that our brains need downtime. Periods of rest and relaxation allow our minds to recharge, leading to increased creativity and productivity in the long run.

So, I started scheduling ‘do nothing’ time into my day. Whether it was just sitting quietly with a cup of tea or simply watching the sunset, these moments of doing nothing became an essential part of my daily routine.

If you’re always trying to be productive, consider this: It’s okay to do nothing sometimes. In fact, it’s important. Highly intelligent people understand this and make sure to give themselves permission to simply ‘be’.

Here’s a practical tip: Schedule some ‘do nothing’ time into your day. Start with just 10 minutes where you sit quietly without any distractions.

You might be surprised at how refreshing it can feel.

Conclusion

After diving into these 7 things that highly intelligent people never waste time on after work, the key takeaway is that time is a valuable resource.

How you choose to spend it can greatly influence your productivity, happiness, and overall well-being.

Remember, it’s not about filling every moment with activities but about making conscious choices that align with your values and goals.

So, try putting these insights into practice. Maybe start by limiting your social media usage or scheduling some ‘do nothing’ time into your day.

The changes might not be immediate, but with consistency, you’ll start noticing a positive shift in your life.

As the saying goes, “The key to success is to focus on goals, not obstacles.” Keep this advice in mind as you move forward and remember that every little step counts.

You’ve got this!