It never hurts to have irons in the fire.

When you work a nine-to-five, the idea of doing anything even resembling work outside of those hours can seem unappealing at best. But we all have hobbies, yes? Something that we can do for fun and relaxation in our down time? Well, while it’s by no means a requirement, it may be wise to to shape that hobby into something more tangible should you have the time and energy for it.

What is it that makes you happy? Good books? Tasty food? Fun movies? Well, if you have a moment, why not try making something yourself? Write a book, test some recipes, workshop a script. You don’t have to do it with the intention of marketing it, it’s just something fun and constructive to keep you sharp and engaged in your own life. More than the act of creating something (which is pretty nice in itself, admittedly), it’s good to have a project outside of your line of work because it’s something you can be 100% in control of. No deadlines, no pressure, just something you can make and shape on your own, on your own time. Even if it didn’t serve a practical purpose, like say, building a scale model of the Eiffel Tower out of toothpicks, there’s a certain satisfaction of bringing something you came up with yourself to completion.

In the event you eventually complete this project, it’s also your call what you do with it. In case of the aforementioned Eiffel Toothpick, there’s obviously not a whole lot you can do with it besides taking a picture of it for Instagram, but hey, maybe you’ll become known as the “Eiffel Tower out of toothpicks guy.” Certain projects could potentially be marketed and used as a means of furthering your own personal brand, again if you so choose. It’s both a way of broadening your personal horizons and exerting more control over your life.