As a working mother of four who is constantly traveling across the country while balancing family, community, and business, my day-to-day schedule is very full. However, if there are two things that I always make time for, it’s my family and my hobbies. Spending quality time with my husband and our beautiful children and participating in some of our favorite hobbies together not only strengthens our connection with one another, but it also allows us to expand our skills and be more successful in our careers.
No matter how busy you are, it’s so important to have a hobby that brings you joy and allows you to express yourself. Research shows that a hobby can greatly improve both your mental health and well-being, as people with hobbies tend to suffer less from stress and depression.
A healthy mind and lower stress levels leave room for inspiration and success to settle in and thrive. In addition to the strong connection between hobbies and mental health, there’s also a connection between hobbies, success, and entrepreneurship. The secret to your success could be in your hobbies!
For more than 20 years, training and participating in triathlons has been my favorite hobby. The first race I completed was back in 1996, and I remember it catching my eye because it promoted the unmatched strength of women.
Back then, I was just starting my first business and wanted to connect with feeling brave, so I decided to push myself to accept the challenge and enter my first race. It takes a lot of courage to throw yourself into cold water with a bunch of other people at the beginning of a race, especially when it’s your very first one! But doing this helped me be more courageous in other aspects of my life as well.
Crossing the finish line for the first time was truly exhilarating. Every bone in my body ached, but I was so proud of myself for pushing through. Since then, triathlons have remained an important hobby for me.
After completing a few races, my focus transitioned from speed to endurance, and I slowly started to place higher and higher in my age group. That was when I began to realize that the willpower and endurance needed to complete these races is much like the determination and fortitude that’s required to run a successful company. My favorite hobby was helping me become more successful in my field of work.
I believe the right hobby can put you on track for acceleration in the workplace, and for those who are looking for a change of pace, why not dip your toes in the pond of entrepreneurship and turn your hobby into a business? Our hobbies allow us to grow more creative and confident, which can translate to our work — permitting us to be more engaged and better performers.
For example, playing a musical instrument can stimulate our brains, enabling us to be more creative while improving our analytical skills and fine motor functions. On the other hand, reading literature can boost our intelligence and cognitive skills. Even painting and coloring offer a number of therapeutic advantages that can help shape the mind to be more meditative and cognizant. From needlepoint to marathons, your hobbies have the power to propel you into a mindset of success and entrepreneurship.
What’s your favorite hobby? Let me know in the comments!
Also, you can read more about my personal hobby — triathlons — and how they equate to running a successful company in this recent D CEO Magazine article by Christine Perez.