Entrepreneurs and business owners already wear so many hats and dedicate nearly every waking moment to working on or thinking about our business in some way. It’s how we’re wired, it’s what we love, and it’s what contributes to our success.
So then, who can we possibly find time to also fit in hobbies and activities that are not related to work? I think we can all agree that hobbies and interests outside of our professional pursuits are what help color our lives and expand our horizons, but it takes a dedicated effort to nurture hobbies.
For some people, hobbies come easy. They know what they like and have no issue committing to a regular routine that incorporates golf, reading, the arts, or anything in between. But for many others, we deny ourselves hobbies thinking they are a luxury and any time not spent working on our business is time wasted. I’m here to tell you that’s not true! In fact, there are quite a few hobbies that can actually make you a better business owner, entrepreneur, leader, and visionary. Hobbies provide balance and contrast in our lives. When we have this time carved out to nurture our unique (and likely underdeveloped) talents, we become stronger and more resilient people who show up as our best selves.
Take for example these hobbies, and how they can actually enhance your professional skills while delivering that burst of joy and relaxation.
Photography
Keep in mind the goal is not to become the next prize-winning photographer in your town, but rather to simply enjoy the beauty of the world from a new angle. Hobbies should be pressure-free, a safe space to experiment, fail, and learn. Photography is such a great hobby because it can start small and simple, and evolve from there. This directly benefits business owners and entrepreneurs because having a keen eye or good angles and interesting vantage points will serve you well as you build and promote your business. Some events certainly warrant a professional photographer, but on occasions where amateur shots would work just as well, you can step in and save your business money by tackling this on your own.
Cooking
Experimenting in the kitchen builds great skills for business owners for several reasons. First, cooking demands exceptional time management. If you don’t manage your time and attention, you’ll have dishes that are undercooked, overcooked, and all demanding your attention at the same time. Cooking also encourages you to think creatively and intuitively. You can improvise a recipe, sometimes with great results and sometimes with horrible outcomes. In both instances, you learn a valuable lesson. The list of benefits for learning how to cook goes on and on. I am no master chef, but I do enjoy cooking for my family. It’s so fulfilling to whip up a quick and healthy dish when everyone else deems the fridge to be “empty.” Cooking is both art and magic!
Strategy Games
Othello, mancala, monopoly, and any array of card games are some of my favorite ways to pass the time with family and friends. Often when someone suggests playing a board game or busts out a deck of cards, the group is skeptical and some choose to “just watch” the first round. But quickly the game pulls everyone in, delivers a healthy dose of competition, and definitely wakes up the brain. Whether playing in a group or alone, strategy games are such a great hobby for keeping the mind sharp, adapting, and mastering a new skill that’s a completely different thought pattern from what you use at work.
Creative Writing
The role of a business owner and entrepreneur demands a lot of writing. Emails, marketing copy, proposals, social media posts, and pretty much everything we touch has an element of writing attached to it. So when you think of a hobby, writing might be the last thing you want to take on in your free time. But hear me out. Creative writing, purely for pleasure, and maybe something you’ll never allow anyone else to read, is an amazing outlet for thoughts and emotions. We process our day by journaling and tap into new creative spaces when we scratch out some poetry or funny phrases. Writing can carry a lot of pressure, but creative writing as a hobby is the exact opposite. No pressure, just pure emotion on paper. Give it a try!
Exercise (Solo and Group)
I firmly believe that regular exercise makes everyone a better person. Our bodies are designed to move, and this can look a lot of different ways. It doesn’t have to be extreme, it just needs to be consistent. For many years I loved running, now I take leisurely walks more than I run. I just needed a change of pace – literally, so I listened to my body. I also enjoy challenging myself with weight training. I love seeing how my body can adapt and grow stronger over time. It’s incredible! Exercise is a great stress reliever and confidence booster. Plus it has the “waterfall” effect. When you take care of your body with exercise, you’re more likely to want to eat healthier and choose other healthy habits that compound the impact.
Reading, Audiobooks, or Podcasts
It’s a fact. Reading makes you smarter. When you expand your perspectives through books, audiobooks, and podcasts you challenge your mind to think critically and discern facts from opinions. Instead of scrolling social media, repurpose that same time toward finishing a book a month – a really reasonable task! By the end of the year, you have 12 new titles under your belt. And if you choose wisely, these are topics that can benefit your professional life as well. Being well-read will also make you a better conversationalist which will make you confident in meetings and at networking events!
Puzzles
My family loves puzzles! This goes back generations and I have so many fond memories of doing puzzles on the dining room table. Now my kids enjoy puzzles with my mom and I love seeing them excel beyond their own expectations. Something that looks impossible from the start, slowly comes together. And when you find a critical missing piece, everyone rejoices! Puzzles are excellent for keeping the brain healthy and spry. The added bonus is the same perseverance and positive attitude it takes to tackle a challenging puzzle can be applied to that challenging work task that looks impossible to solve. Just take it one piece at a time and keep your perspective on the bigger picture. It will come together just as it should!
Non-Sleep Deep Rest and Meditation
Here’s a new one for me, but I have really leaned into this hobby and stress-management technique in recent years. As you may recall, I love to nap, which has its own unique health benefits. But non-sleep deep rest and/or meditation carry a unique set of benefits that are worth incorporating into your regular routine as well. Essentially this is a deep state of relaxation that can be guided by meditation or in complete silence. The goal is to completely clear your mind of intrusive thoughts or expectations, but to remain conscious. At first, it will be hard! We as humans are used to always moving, thinking, and doing. This “hobby” will force you to release all of those expectations and to take a brief pause in your day to reset. If you’re interested in this, I recommend doing some internet research. There are a ton of tools and research out there about this technique! And the benefits will astound you.
Most importantly, pursuing any hobby or activity outside your professional work requires commitment, passion, and time management. Simply carving out time for something just for you in a day is a valuable habit that helps you stay disciplined in your schedule and form a healthy routine.
If you don’t currently have a hobby you enjoy, why not commit to trying one new thing this month? Stick with it for at least 90 days to form a new habit, but also be willing to switch things up if it’s not the right fit. Keep going until you find at least one hobby that you enjoy and that aligns with your personal and professional goals. Every day, week, and month you stay consistent with this hobby, you gain valuable skills that can be applied to making you a more effective business owner and leader in return!
Do you have a hobby to add to this list? Meet me in the comments and join the conversation!
The Comm Entrepreneur 