As someone who works hard at your day job, you might understandably assume that the best way to advance in your career is to put your nose to the grindstone in the office at all times and take advantage of all workplace opportunities to move up the ladder.
While doing your best at work is definitely a positive thing, as it turns out what you do in your off hours can also help improve your professional life.
Whether you pursue a few hobbies or have a side gig or two, having outside interests will ultimately boost your career. Here’s how:
1. You Can Explore New Interests and Skills.
At work, you are probably expected to do the same types of tasks all of the time. A side hustle or hobby will allow you to explore other interests and build other skills that may help you at your day job. If you’ve always been interested in entrepreneurship, partnering with an established company like Amway can help you try out business ownership without the risk.
Once accused of being a scam, Amway has dispelled pyramid scheme myths with facts about how its business model works. This type of side hustle will also help you hone your organizational and communication skills, all of which will allow you to be a better employee at your day job.
2. You Can Do Some Serious Networking.
Certain hobbies are not only great for getting out of the house and trying new things, they can also be great networking opportunities. Whether you sign up for an aerobics or ceramics class or enjoy being part of a book club, you will probably end up meeting other like-minded professionals who share your interests.
At the very least, you will make new friends who you might be able to meet with outside of the class or club for lively and supportive discussions about your jobs and goals. Ideally, you may also have club or classmates who may help advance your career by telling you about new opportunities with other companies.
You Can Learn to Multitask.
If you want to become better at multitasking—a skill that can help speed up your production at work and help impress your boss—certain hobbies will help you to achieve this goal. For example, if you have always wanted to learn how to be a better cook, signing up for a gourmet cooking class at your local community center will not only result in tasty meals at home, it will teach you to juggle numerous ingredients and dishes and cooking temperature all at once.
Any type of hobby that figuratively keeps you on your toes and handling a number of tasks at once will help you to be a better multitasker in the office, which your boss is sure to notice in a favorable way.
Start that New Hobby or Side Gig Today.
Clearly, having a hobby or side gig can be much more than a way to pass the time when you are not in the office. In many cases, these personal interests will teach you new skills that will allow you to move up the corporate ladder, all while doing something you really enjoy.
