I'm a huge fan of reading. It's a hobby that's helped me grow in two ways: by broadening my mind and by helping me develop my own writing style. When I was younger, I didn't read much outside of schoolwork. In high school, I was really into science fiction and fantasy books, but my parents didn't let me read any other genres. As an adult, that changed. Nowadays I'm always reading something—and if it's not a book, it's probably an article on the internet. I think reading has made me more well-rounded as a person: because it exposes you to so many different perspectives and ideas than what you get from your day-to-day life. And since each person has their own unique style of speaking or writing, you can learn about their personality just by how they write down their thoughts!
A hobby that has help my personal growth in journalling. As a creative person, I often find myself with a mental block that affects every thing I try to do. So journalling about my thoughts and feelings, or about any of the million prompts you can find online, is a great way to channelize my energies and organize my mind.
Exploring nature is one of my favorite hobbies that has had a positive impact on my personal growth. Going out and being in the natural environment allows me to connect deeply with myself and find true stillness. Just taking a few moments to breathe in the fresh air, observe the plants, trees and wildlife around me can provide an immediate sense of calm and peace. It helps me to appreciate the beauty of life and remember that I am part of something larger than myself. By exploring nature, I have developed an appreciation for the wonders of the world, and a sense of purpose in my own life.
Of all the hobbies that I have participated in, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) has impacted my growth the most. BJJ is a martial art and combat sport focusing on grappling, chokeholds, and joint locks. Initially, I started BJJ to improve my fitness and learn self-defence, but throughout my journey, I discovered myriad benefits. Firstly, you join a team and quickly build powerful social networks alongside your teammates. Given that most of them are also professionals, I have even made useful business contacts through BJJ. BJJ has also been deeply therapeutic, as naturally, it’s the ideal mechanism for productively channelling life’s stresses, always leaving me feeling serene. Lastly, it has given me goals outside of my professional life. Before, I felt that my personal life lacked direction or meaning; it was just time away from work. However, developing my skills and expanding my knowledge in BJJ has given me a new sense of purpose, helping to balance out my life.
Dedicated to holistic health practices such as Reiki, reflexology, and homeopathy, I find gardening a transformative hobby. More than just planting seeds, it is an active form of meditation that cultivates mindfulness. Whether turning soil or awaiting a bloom, each garden task reflects the purposeful attention I invest in my professional work. These focused activities rooted me firmly in the present. The garden has also been a classroom for understanding life's interconnected intricacies. Observing how elements like soil, water, and even insects interact expands my appreciation for the complex systems that shape our health. These revelations have become integral to my practice, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to well-being. Consequently, my garden transcends being a mere hobby; it's an ongoing fount of inspiration and wisdom that enriches both my personal and professional life.
Hello, As someone who likes travelling more than anything, I can attest that this hobby has had (by far) the most significant impact on my personal growth. And by this, I mean solo travelling - a hobby that may sound awkward to some but whose popularity has skyrocketed in recent years, and for a good reason. It helped me become a better observer and a better planner. It taught me how to actually enjoy the “me time”, and it has also considerably increased my confidence level. And, above everything else, travelling on your own gives you an indescribable feeling of unparalleled self-satisfaction. Still, it’s worth pointing out that the old saying “it’s better to be safe than sorry” exists for a reason. So, prior to your solo voyage, perform extensive research on the place you’re planning to pay a visit to. Hope this helps! If you have any questions, let me know. Best regards, Anna Krizova
Anesthesiologist and Pain Medicine Physician at Elisha Peterson MD PLLC
Answered 2 years ago
Jumping rope has positively impacted my personal growth. Exercise strengthens my body and mind. I find that by getting my heart rate up- it induces a stress to my body-the results in endorphins release which calms my mind and enables me to focus throughout the day. This focus and calmness enhances my creativity and boosts my energy. Also exercise helps me conquer those doubting voices. Mentally, during exercise, a voice always pops up asking- what are you doing this for? Wouldn't you rather be in bed? Temptations to slack are all around. As I push through exercising anyway, despite these voices- I find that I can achieve more than I thought I could. As we take control of our health, we take ownership of our lives. I never knew jumping rope could be so empowering!
I think documentaries are a great way to unwind while learning something new. Whether it is a nature experience a gripping true crime story or an in-depth examination of a scientific concept, I appreciate the opportunity to expand my knowledge and perspective. I also enjoy books, especially non-fiction. These interests combine to give me a lot of knowledge about things that go beyond my profession.
Golf taught me patience like nothing else. Picture this: I used to be the kind of person who wanted instant results in everything I did. But when I started playing golf, I realized that success on the course doesn't come overnight. I had to put in hours of practice, learning to control my temper when I shanked a shot into the rough for the umpteenth time. That patience I developed on the golf course soon translated into other aspects of my life. I found myself better equipped to handle difficult situations at work and in personal relationships, all because I'd learned to stay calm under pressure on the fairway. Another way golf has positively impacted my personal growth is by fostering a strong sense of discipline. You see, golf requires not only physical skill but also mental focus. To improve my game, I had to establish a routine of regular practice, maintain a healthy lifestyle, and set goals for myself. This discipline spilled over into my daily life.
Everyone encourages meditation, but I've always struggled with it. When I sit down and am still, all the items I need to get done flood my mind and it's impossible to clear them unless I write a to-do list. Once I start doing that, I often wonder why I'm not getting the items on the to-do list done, particularly the short 5-10 minute task. Enter painting. Personally, I love watercolors, but I can see acrylic being equally as meditative. I'm no good at it, and I know it, but that's not the point. Sitting down with the paint and some music enables me to relax and even think. Having my hands busy frees up my head in a way that sitting still never has. Having that time to introspect about the decisions I've made that day is often key, particularly in the long run, to doing better the next day. Perhaps more importantly, I actually do it, unlike meditation, which I've never been able to stick with.
I've always loved gardening. It's a hobby that is both meditative and productive, and it's helped me to gain a sense of peace in my life while also providing the opportunity to grow something beautiful. I've found that when I'm gardening, I'm able to focus on my breath and let out all the tension I've been carrying around with me all day. And because I have an actual physical result at the end of it—a pretty flower or a healthy vegetable—it helps me feel accomplished at the end of each session. It's also really rewarding to enjoy the fruits (or vegetables) of your labor!
For me, it was Brazilian jiu-jitsu, or BJJ in short. I started about a year and a half ago, and it really changed my life. Before BJJ, I was stuck in a rut, lacking physical and mental energy. Since I started, my physical and mental health is better than ever before. I lost weight, gained muscle, and started eating healthier. Also, BJJ taught me the power of discipline, integrity, and focus, which I carried over into my everyday life. 3 months ago, I finally quit my job to start my own online business. I am at the very beginning, but BJJ taught me that it's necessary to put myself into the unknown in order to grow. It taught me that with dedication and consistency, I can reach my goals. If you're after a growth mindset, both for your mental and physical health, I can't recommend BJJ enough. For me, it was truly transformative. It gave me the resilience and confidence I needed to take on new challenges and to develop a growth mindset in life.
Journaling every morning and night has given me such a great perspective on work, life, and the intersection of the two. I'm able to track my mood and accomplishments so accurately that I've learned more about myself in a few years than I had across my entire life. We miss so many little things going about our days—journaling helps bring them into focus and teach you about yourself.
I am an avid walker. It's hard to call that a hobby, except that anyone who knows me knows that I choose walking as an option even when it's not a great idea (think multiple winter miles in the Northeast). Walking has been immensely beneficial for my personal growth. I use the time to learn foreign languages, catch up on interviews and news via podcasts, and learn more about the streets in my community.
Being really into law, I find comfort and new ideas through reading books—it's like hitting the "refresh" button for my brain. This not only clears my head but also opens up new ways of thinking for me. Plus, reading really fine-tunes my thinking skills. The more I read, the better I get at untangling complicated stories—a handy skill when I'm dealing with complex laws and getting to the heart of each case I work on. In a nutshell, each book I read adds something special to my skills; it's like mental gym time that makes me gradually smarter, more understanding, and well-prepared for whatever comes my way.
Hobbies can help in many ways, like boosting confidence, developing or improving skills, reducing stress, improving mental health, etc. Also, it can help in your professional life. One hobby that particularly impacted my personal growth is reading. It is an excellent way to learn new things. Reading helps to learn about diverse experiences, understand different cultures, and stay updated on various topics, for example, technology. The knowledge and learning open up new perspectives and critical thinking abilities.
From my solo venture experience, I'd emphasize: Know your strengths and outsource your weaknesses. As a single founder, it's impossible to excel at everything. Invest in tools and freelancers to fill the gaps. And remember, resilience is key; expect setbacks, but view them as growth opportunities.
Sports, soccer in particular. As the CEO of a quickly growing start-up, I cannot overestimate the value that I get from being able to step away from my business persona for a few hours and focus solely on playing a sport I love. That kind of mental clarity and relaxation is incredibly hard to find, as your work tends to follow you and jump into your brain whenever you're not occupied with something else that requires all of your attention. It's been a massive win-win for me for my entire career, keeping me both physically and mentally healthy enough to keep doing what I do.
Reading has had a significant impact on my personal growth. Over the years, I’ve developed a keen interest and fascination for learning new things. I enjoy reading business, entrepreneurial books, and motivational, non-fiction books that chronicle what it takes to overcome challenges to succeed in life and business. Consuming this insight has allowed me to consume a wide variety of perspectives that I’ve used to help mold my business acumen, discipline, and core values. Reading has challenged me to stay curious, ambitious, and willing to learn new concepts and embrace the long journey toward success and personal growth.
Journaling is a hobby that has allowed me to put my thoughts into perspective. This has encouraged me to become a more critical thinker as well as a more versatile communicator. There’s something about allowing my thoughts to flow on paper that promotes more succinct, refined, and articulate sentiments. Thus, journaling has sharpened my mind in a way that has allowed me to effectively encapsulate my thoughts to document my daily discoveries and ease my mind as I reflect and train my mind to find new ways to express myself.