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What are some valuable skills you've learned from your hobbies, and how do you apply them to your current role?

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Sadi’s Answer

As a person of many interests and hobbies, I have found myself super thankful that I hold a wide variety of things I love to do because it makes me more relatable to other people. One thing I have noticed when making connections for jobs or interviewing for jobs, when they ask me what I like to do in my free time and I give them a long list of what I like to do, they are super intrigued. I believe that if you allow yourself to pick up a random hobby like playing guitar or furthering your skills in art …etc, other people are going to see that you are someone who loves learning. This will help you when interviewing for jobs because most jobs want someone who is coachable and can take criticism. In addition, there have been times when I’ve used the hobbies I learned in different aspects of my job. For example, being an artist comes with having a creative eye and an attention to detail. I have seen this translate to most jobs because I am a bit of perfectionist when it comes to cleaning or thinking beforehand by finishing tasks without being asked to help another coworker or a patient. Also if you lean more on the logical side of things, you might be a great problem solver. Problem solvers are wonderful in any career because there may be an accident that happens and if you can be the person to step in and immediately help or come up with a solution without freaking out, customers are going to see that maturity and be very delighted with your service. Another hobby of being any type of athlete or even someone who just likes to work out will show others that you have something that you are consistently dedicated to and that you are a hard worker. If you love making sure you are keeping yourself healthy in that aspect, I believe that you will have the keys to also help encourage others or seek out the best for others as well. Employers love well rounded individuals so I highly recommend picking up hobbies or interests because it helps make you a genuine person. Even you decide to try something and you end up hating it, no worries, now you have a story to tell about your experience with that and how you either overcame that hatred or it led you to trying something else that you love!
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Soumya’s Answer

Thanks for the question; my hobbies have been drawing sketches of random objects! In my recent roles, I have been working as a Design Engineer. So, sketching definitely aids me a lot in communicate my ideas to peers and management. As a Mechanical Engineer, there has been an immense emphasis on computer aided designs and subsequent skills arising from that. But often the importance of visual-based design thinking is not discussed and is equally important particularly when you are innovating new products.
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Keith’s Answer

I think the most successful people in life and business come with a broad range of experiences, interests and knowledge. As a leader of people, it is important you can broadly relate to everyone you lead.

Be curious. It is hard to connect with people you can't find something in common with.
Build relationships. Be courageous and approach people to learn about them. Create a network
Develop advocates. Key leaders/workers that can help you on your path. It IS who you know...
Know your business. Always look for how your business continues to change. It IS also what you know...
Be human. Don't forget to be human. Volunteerism in the community can help shape gratitude and perspective.
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Adrian’s Answer

Great question. Playing Chess during my free time or when I am waiting for my next errand has undoubtedly improved my cognitive thinking abilities. Reading books has improved my comprehension skills not only for my career but school. It is important to make time to unwind from the work environment do what makes you happy. If it does, why not pick something that can be applied to a business place. Thanks for the question!
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Tricia’s Answer

The great thing about hobbies are they include things you’re interested in. Interest + what you’re good at academically/skill wise = an ideal job.

As you do a hobby it requires something from you: effort, concentration, problem solving, helping others, possibly leadership (are you leading the effort?), coordinating people or resources, meeting and working with new people to accomplish goal, etc. The key is to reflect on your own hobbies and determine which skills you had, you’ve gained, and/or are working on.
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Kelly’s Answer

The most important thing I've learned from my hobbies is balance and knowing how to use my hobbies to keep me in a positive and healthy mindset. In a dream/ideal scenario, you can match your hobbies with your job and get paid for doing the things you most love to do. Unfortunately, that's not always entirely possible, so instead, I've found it's important to balance my daily work with hobbies that are completely different. For instance, I love to hike and be outside, but I work inside all day at my computer. To balance it out, I try to find time before or after work to get outside for a walk and get fresh air. And then I'll try to get out for a longer hike on nice weekends. This keeps me a balanced person and enhances my own personal well-being. Another example is that I have to think analytically and solve problems all day at my job, so I love to end my day with yoga, which forces me to shut off my brain to let it rest. It helps me to focus for the next day to come (and also helps with sleep!).

When possible, I also try to bring some of my hobbies into my work - or if nothing else, thinking about what it is I love about the hobby and bringing in that aspect into my work. I love music of all kinds and love to sing and play the piano. While I can't sing through my whole day, knowing that music helps me think creatively and also focus, when I know I need to do these things and have some quiet time, I'll put headphones on and play music softly to help me develop new ideas or plans.

Finally, I follow the mantra of work hard, play hard! Use your hobbies as a way to reward yourself and have something to look forward to, for example, on your weekends or days off. It helps me maintain focus all week long, when I know I'm going to reward myself with a fun activity on the weekend!
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