Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur, a big-time CEO or just starting out in your first internship, there are several things occupying your time throughout the day. But, taking on too much of something that doesn’t necessarily stimulate you—i.e. boring meetings, sales reports, getting your boss’s coffee—and can make your work suffer. As pilots, we know how passionate aviators are when it comes to flying, and we love to share it with others. And we understand what it’s like to pursue what some would call a hobby, as a lifestyle. Not only that, but how pursuing your passions can help improve your attitude, outlook, confidence, intelligence and more.
So let’s take a look at seven ways your hobbies affect your career, and which ones can help you go further in your profession.
1) Builds Personal and Business Connections
We all know the importance of networking when it comes to improving business, closing that tough sale or searching for a promotion, and hobbies can be a great way to boost your connections in a casual way. Check out some of ideal hobbies below for having fun while connecting with other like-minded people — you never know what could possibly cross over into business.
Hobbies that help networking:
- Golf
- Book Clubs
- Hiking Clubs
- Alumni Events
2) Provides New Challenges
Taking on new challenges helps keep your mind sharp, particularly when those challenges are different than what you’re used to at work. A hobby gives you the opportunity to really dive into learning something new, pushing you past limitations, both physically and mentally. This type of challenge promotes what’s known as eustress (the opposite of distress), a positive type of stress that is gets you excited about the task at hand. When you feel this unique sense of excitement when you’ve conquered the challenge, it can translate over to your career, as you search for ways to replicate it.
Hobbies that provide new challenges:
- Rock Climbing
- Learning to Play an Instrument
- Skiing & Snowboarding
- Learning to Fly
3) Provides a Social Outlet
Spending time with friends is a great way to unwind and take your mind off of work-related stuff. It’s been backed up in study after study that spending time with friends is strongly associated with better physical and mental health. By maintaining a healthier lifestyle, you’re able to think better and be more productive at work. Not only that, the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that too much loneliness can lead to higher chance of disease — and it’s tough to be productive at all if you’re sick.
Hobbies that Provide a Social Outlet
- Intramural Sports
- Acting or Music Group
- Fantasy Football
- Chess League
4) Puts Things Into Perspective
Sometimes, we get so wrapped up in our career, that we forget to give back to the communities and people that helped shape us. As it pertains to job performance, according to Wharton professor Cassie Mogilner, those who volunteer their time feel like they have more of it. This is similar to other research showing that people who donate to charity feel wealthier. And those two outlooks are certainly beneficial to someone trying to go farther in their career.
Hobbies that Help You Give Back
- Volunteering
- Joining a Charity Board
- Attending Fundraisers
- Getting Involved in Church
- Teaching a Class
5) Makes You More Interesting to Those at Work
Pick up a new hobby and we bet that your water cooler conversations will start to leave your co-workers and your bosses more and more impressed. Doing something that you’re passionate outside of adds layers to your identity and enriches your personality. People love to be around and talk about those who have interesting lives outside of work. Plus, hobbies can impress coworkers in other ways, for example, pick up cooking as a hobby and bring some delicious homemade food to work and share with the office.
Hobbies that leave an impression
- Woodworking
- Cooking
- Amateur Astronomy
6) Reduces Negativity, Promotes Positivity
Participating in a hobby helps to reduce negativity in your life, possibly brought on by work, because it refocuses your brain onto something you enjoy. Hobbies that let you relax while still challenging you physically and mentally, give the added benefit of a release of chemicals in the brain. This helps rejuvenate your mind and promotes positivity in your life.
Hobbies that promote positivity
- Yoga Classes
- Meditation
- 3-D Art, Painting and Drawing
- Gardening
7) Increases Productivity
It’d be great to be a little more productive at work, wouldn’t it? Well, a hobby makes that possible. True, when spending time on a hobby, you won’t be able to get anything work. But, hobbies provide a healthier way to spend time than we would usually tend to do — watching TV, browsing social media, reading the news, etc. Of course, sometimes mindless downtime is useful in order to reset your brain, but too much can be a bad thing. Spending time learning new things, thinking outside the box and taking steps to self-improvement are skills that are useful in the workplace, all built upon within your hobby.
Hobbies that Increase Productivity
- Reading
- Writing
- Video Games
Are you looking for a new hobby that’s exciting, challenging and unique?
Then learning to fly may be the right option for you. Becoming a pilot is a rewarding experience and can help you become a more well-rounded individual. If you’ve always been passionate about flying a plane, then get in touch with Inflight Pilot Training today to take-off in a new hobby. With a reputable team of highly qualified certified flight instructors, and proven programs designed around your learning style, we can help you gain the skills needed to fly an airplane.
For additional information on Inflight training programs, contact us today or call (952) 698-3000.