Could your hobbies help your business? I believe they can.
For example if you find that your mind tends to wander and you lack focus and concentration then taking up a hobby could help. Choose one that you enjoy and helps you to train your mind to focus and concentrate for several hours. By developing concentration and focus you can really benefit your business, for instance if you ever get involved with lengthy negotiations.
As a personal example, whilst playing the cello, I’m frequently playing with others for 4 hours or more with only one break – and concentrating hard as I’m often going through music for the first time. Or in Toastmasters International meetings, I may be called upon to review a two hour meeting and need to have been paying attention throughout. What hobbies do you have – or could you have – that could be used to develop your concentration?
If your business is wearing you out and you collapse at the end of the day – could a hobby help to build your physical stamina?
Some of the most challenging situations I’ve found can be meetings abroad. You’ve probably had to get up at the crack of dawn (or arrived late the night before after a long day), and are either having to speak in a foreign language, or at least working with others who are – and whose English may not be 100% – meaning you’ve got to work harder to understand them. I’d assert that if you’ve got good physical stamina, you stand a better chance of performing in these types of situation. So are you up for activities such as triathlons, long hikes, or dancing to boost your stamina?
Think about the hobbies you have and how they may be able to help you in your business – and if you don’t have any, then now is the time to start. You’ll enjoy yourself, they will help you to relax and at the same time you can build new beneficial business skills.
