3 Reasons Why Successful Entrepreneurs Make Time For Hobbies

3 Reasons Why Successful Entrepreneurs Make Time for Hobbies

When you’re leading a team and growing a business, it’s easy to scoff at the idea of hobbies. Who has the time? And when you do grab a free moment, you may feel pressured to read a business book or attend a networking event instead of pursuing a craft or learning an instrument. 

But there’s a reason some of the most successful business leaders have passions outside of work, like Warren Buffett playing his beloved ukulele.For me, carving out time for my favorite activities (travel and hiking) is not only beneficial for my personal well-being, but also benefits my company. 

Whatever your interests, here are a few reasons you should make space for hobbies—no matter how busy you are. 

1. Hobbies help keep you sharp and creative.  

Building a business certainly keeps you on your toes. But after some wins and being comfortably settled in your career, you may forget what it’s like to struggle. When you take up a hobby -- whether it’s cooking, Crossfit or ceramics -- you keep that learning muscle strong. And that will only benefit you as you face tougher and tougher challenges in your work. It all ties into the Zen Buddhist concept of shoshin(beginner’s mind), which has become a popular topic in the leadership development world. The idea is all about “letting go of your preconceptions and having an attitude of openness when studying a subject,” according to entrepreneur James Clear. This mindset and can be valuable in finding creative solutions at work and in life. (Related:My Top 3 Growth Mindsets for Success) 

Hobbies, especially new ones, make it easier to tap into that creative way of thinking. It allows you to be “bad” at something that’s low stakes and reminds you what it feels like to learn and improve over time. By practicing shoshinin your down time, it will be easier to access this muscle and mindset when you need it at the office. 

2. Hobbies help give you a fresh perspective.

Engaging in activities outside of your work helps you access a different way of looking at problems. There’s good reason many top thinkers are proponents of reading books outside of your field.You will constantly expose yourself tounique perspectives from other areas of expertisethat you can bring back to your business. (Related:4 Ways to Hustle Without Burning Out)

Hobbies let you practice this in action. When I’m traveling around the world, I learn so much about how others think about career, life, relationships, and much more that impacts how I approach things at work. Learning to paint may help you see a new solution to an engineering problem; practicing music could help you make your presentations more entertaining. There are so many surprising connections that can be made from engaging in hobbies -- and these new ways of thinking will likely give you an edge over others in your field. At the very least, you’ll become a much better conversationalist at dinner parties and networking events since you have other things besides work to talk about.

3. Hobbies help you relax and return to your main focus with renewed passion.

Everyone needs time away from their job in order to do their best work. Making time for activities forces you to take a break. Plus, doing something you’re passionate only gives you more spark to bring back to the office. 

Studies have shownthat hobbies not only reduce stress in the moment, but can also give you lower levels of negative feelings for days to come. It can even lower your likelihood of burning out. I hike every morning, not just for exercise, but because it helps me reset. I travel as much as possible not only because it’s fun, but because I always come back to hint with a clearer head and a better impression of what the right next step is for the company.

Tell me in the comments below: What are your hobbies? And how do they benefit your work?

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  Let’s Connect! Find me onTwitter(@KaraGoldin), and DM me your burning business questions and/or comments. 

Kara Goldin is the founder and CEO of San Francisco–basedhint?, a healthy lifestyle brand that produces the leading unsweetened flavored water and a scented sunscreen spray that’s oxybenzone and paraben-free. Listen to her podcast,Unstoppable, where she interviews founders, entrepreneurs, and disruptors across various industries and keep up with her onTwitter,Facebook, andInstagram.