Hey guys! We hear a lot about upskilling through classes, workshops, and training on the job. In a crowded meeting or a thick book, you might find some of the most important skills for success. What if I told you that? Your hobbies may give you the skills that will help you stand out at work. It's time to explore unconventional approaches and discover how your extracurricular activities could contribute to your career advancement.
Think about it: when you're really into something you enjoy, like a hobby, a side project, or even just your weekend activities, you often find that you have many skills you didn't know you had. These aren't just for passing the time; they're also about building:
- Resilience
- Creativity
- And many other skills that companies in Australia's fast-paced job market are looking for.
Let us look at some unexpected tracks where you might be getting more than just enjoyment.
The Great Outdoors: More Than Just a Pretty View
The Australian trait of loving nature is very well known. No matter if you like to enjoy a barbeque in the park, hike a tough trail, or ride the waves, nature has a lot to teach us. Just think about how easy it seems to plan an eco-friendly camping trip. You're not just putting up the tent and esky; you're also carefully planning, managing resources (how many snags are too many?), and finding solutions to problems because the weather constantly changes things last minute. All these skills are beneficial in the workplace when unexpected tasks arise, as they teach you to be:
- Prepared
- Adaptable
- And resourceful. Also, learning to read the tides or navigate a difficult hiking trail improves your ability to evaluate risks and make decisions, boosting your confidence and work skills.
The Work and the Heart of Volunteering
Going back to your community is a great way to improve things, and it's also a great place to learn new things. Whether you organise a fundraiser for a cause you care about, volunteer at a soup kitchen, or instruct the local under-8s soccer team as part of your job, you frequently assume roles that demand skills that surpass those required in your regular job, such as:
- Leadership
- Empathy
- Communication skills.
Getting a group of people to work together is an example of project management. You might be trying to settle a disagreement between two passionate committee members. These experiences help you understand your feelings and connect with people from all walks of life, both of which are useful in the workplace. Many professionals find that the insights they gain through volunteering make their whole road of personal growth and their way of leading much better.
The Creative Spark: From Hobby to Business Brilliance
Do you like to be creative? You might write stories, play an instrument, paint, or work on a code in your spare time. These are strong ways to spark creativity and critical thought, not just fun things to do. The focus needed to learn a new chord progression or the persistence needed to fix a tricky line of code directly leads to a stronger and more targeted way of dealing with problems. You learn to be creative, try new things, and not be afraid of making mistakes when you have creative hobbies. These are all excellent qualities for an employee. Because you can see things and deal with problems in new ways, you might come up with the next outstanding idea for your company. Never forget how strong your emotions are.
The Sports Arena: Sticking with It and Working Together
There is nothing else like the challenge and friendship of amateur sports. If you play in a weekend footy league, a cycle club, or a netball team, you learn:
- Discipline
- How to work with others
- And how to handle winning and losing with grace.
Think about how you have to think strategically during a game, make quick choices when you're under pressure, and be dedicated enough to train every day or every week. These interactions help build mental toughness and a willingness to work with others. Learning how to talk to coworkers clearly, believe in their skills, and work together to reach common goals are all skills that can be used in a working setting. Occasionally it's more useful to know how a team works in real life than to read twelve management books. People who want to turn their experiences into clear work strengths can talk about these "soft" skills with services like Business Coaching Brisbane.
Unexpected lessons happen all around us.
When you start to look, chances to strengthen your skills really are everywhere. Making a budget, negotiating, and planning how to get things done are all parts of even small jobs, like planning a complicated family vacation. The key is to see the value in these experiences and consciously think about what you are learning. Don't just act; reflect on how you are performing and the skills you are acquiring.
Therefore, the next time you're doing your favourite hobby outside of work, take a moment to think about the new skills you're learning. You become more flexible, creative, and successful in all areas of your life, including your job, because of these events. For this reason, they shape you.
What new skill have you gained outside of work that you didn't expect? You can share your thoughts and stories in the comments section below. We look forward to hearing from you.
