How I Made Space for Learning While Juggling a 9-to-5

If you’ve ever tried to “upskill” after a full day of Zoom calls, Slack messages, and an inbox that won’t stop multiplying—you know the struggle. Making time to learn something new when you’re already balancing a demanding 9-to-5 is no small feat.

I live and work in California, where the fast-paced, always-on energy can be as inspiring as it is overwhelming. I love my career, but I’ve always felt this quiet pull to keep learning—whether that meant improving a professional skill, exploring a new topic, or simply staying curious about the world. Still, carving out actual time for that kind of growth? That took some work.

I didn’t want to overhaul my life. I wanted to integrate learning in a way that felt natural and sustainable. Over time, I developed a few strategies that helped me keep growing—without burning out.

Here’s how I made space for learning while juggling my full-time job—and how you could, too.

Takeaways

Understanding your motivation makes it easier to stick with a learning plan.

Being flexible with your schedule prevents burnout and keeps things sustainable.

Consistency beats intensity. Even 20 minutes a day can add up.

Set work and tech boundaries to protect your energy and attention for learning.

Make use of “hidden” hours in your day, like your commute or lunch break.

1. I Got Clear on My “Why”

Before you figure out how to fit learning into your schedule, it’s worth getting clear on why you want to learn in the first place. For me, it wasn’t just about boosting my resume (although that was part of it). I wanted to stay engaged in my work, feel mentally stimulated, and prepare for future opportunities—even if I couldn’t see them yet.

Upskilling—whether that meant sharpening my communication skills, learning new tools, or getting better at strategic thinking—became a way to future-proof my career.

When your reason for learning is personal and meaningful, it’s easier to stay motivated when things get busy. It could be that you want to change careers, earn a promotion, deepen your expertise, or even rediscover a passion outside your 9-to-5. Your “why” doesn’t have to be revolutionary—it just has to be yours.

2. I Ditched the Idea That Learning Had to Be All or Nothing

At one point, I signed up for an eight-week certificate course, convinced I’d power through after work. You can probably guess how that turned out. Eventually, I realized I didn’t need marathon study sessions to make progress. What I needed was consistency—and the freedom to approach learning in a way that actually worked with my life.

That shift made a huge difference. Instead of waiting for the “perfect time” to learn (which rarely came), I worked learning into my existing routines in small, manageable ways. Here’s how I adjusted:

Podcasts during my daily walk
10–15 minutes of reading before bed
Short courses with flexible, self-paced modules
Documentaries or interviews in place of scrolling social media

It was never about doing more—it was about doing enough, regularly, to keep momentum going.

Decision fatigue is real, especially after a long workday. I used to waste time scrolling through learning platforms or trying to decide which book to read next. Now, I build what I call a learning menu at the start of each month.

It’s simple: I choose 3–5 items that align with my interests or goals, and I give myself the flexibility to choose based on my energy that day. A typical month might include:

One career-focused course (think: communication skills or data storytelling)
One book (personal development, nonfiction, or business)
A podcast series (topic-driven or industry-specific)
A few bookmarked articles or newsletters I’ve been meaning to read

The key here? No pressure to “complete” everything. It’s a guide, not a rulebook.

4. I Found Time in Hidden Places

This one was a game-changer. Once I started really looking at my daily routine, I realized there were small pockets of time I could repurpose. For instance, my commute used to be just for zoning out to relaxing playlists, but I switched to listening to educational podcasts instead. That 30 minutes in the car or train suddenly became valuable learning time.

The same thing happened during my lunch breaks. On quieter days, I’d watch a 15-minute tutorial while eating or sneak in some reading between bites. Those little chunks of time can add up to hours of learning over a month.

And don’t underestimate evening “dead time.” If I knew I wasn’t productive late at night, I didn’t force it—I’d use mornings or early evenings instead.

5. I Set Boundaries to Protect My Energy

To make space for learning, I had to stop giving all of my energy away to work. This was one of the hardest shifts, but also one of the most necessary. Living in California, work-life boundaries can blur, especially when everyone seems constantly “on.” But I started asking myself: What am I saying no to by always saying yes to work?

I made a few changes:

I set a consistent “shutdown” time and stuck to it.
I turned off email notifications after hours.
I stopped feeling guilty about not joining optional meetings.

These small boundaries gave me back time—and mental space—that I could use to focus on growth. I also stopped treating learning like a luxury. I treated it like self-investment, because that’s exactly what it is.

6. I Asked for Opportunities at Work That Aligned With My Learning Goals

One of the smartest (and most underrated) ways to learn is to look at the skills you want to develop—and then ask for projects or tasks that align with them.

I let my manager know I was working on becoming a better presenter, and soon I was asked to lead a team update. Later, I expressed interest in learning about user research, and was invited to sit in on customer interviews.

You don’t have to wait for a promotion or a new job to start learning. Sometimes, the best classroom is the role you’re already in—if you’re willing to raise your hand.

7. I Let Go of Perfection and Focused on Progress

Here’s the thing about balancing learning and work: you will have off weeks. You’ll fall behind. You’ll skip a few days. And that’s OK. What matters is not being perfect—it’s staying in the game.

I learned to celebrate small wins: finishing a podcast, applying one new idea in a meeting, or even just reflecting on something that challenged me. Confidence builds not just from completing a course, but from proving to yourself that you’re capable of showing up again and again—even when it’s messy, imperfect, and busy.

Make Learning a Lifestyle, Not a Checkbox

I used to think learning had to look a certain way—structured, formal, intensive. But now I see it as a lifelong process. Something that can evolve with my career, my schedule, and even my mood. You don’t need to overhaul your life or give up your evenings. You just need a plan, a purpose, and a little bit of patience. Learning while working full-time isn’t just possible—it’s powerful.

And if you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure where to start, here’s your permission to begin small, stay curious, and trust that every step forward counts.