作者|Bruce Harpham
译者|RK翔
In our work oriented culture, hobbies are often perceived to be a waste of time. If you struggle with the idea of putting time into a hobby, consider these benefits. There are many cases where working on a hobby will help you to improve your performance at your day job.
在工作至上的现代，爱好经常被看成是在浪费时间。如果你在犹豫要不要花时间在爱好上，请考虑下面几点好处。很多时候坚持培养的爱好能帮助你提高你日常工作的表现。
1. You Will Grow Your Network
1. 你的社交半径会扩大
Many hobbies lend themselves to growing your network and meeting other people who share your passion. One great way to get started is to do a Google search with your hobby and the words association or group (e.g. “running club New York” or “creative writing association”). Building your network through a hobby is easy because you already have common ground with other people interested in the topic. Over time, you can give favors to people you meet and ask for help when you need it.
爱好的培养会扩大你的交际圈，遇见那些和你有同样爱好的人。最直接的办法就是“百度”搜索一下你的爱好，配上相应组织或团体（比如“纽约慢跑会”或“创意写作团”）。通过爱好建立起社交关系是非常简单的，因为你们已经有了相同的立场，有了相同的爱好。慢慢过程中，你能帮助所遇到的人，同时需要帮助时可以找他们。
2. You Will Manage Your Time Better
2.你可以更好地掌握时间
The challenge of fitting your hobby into your daily and weekly schedule is a challenge for many people. Jeff Sanders adopted a 5am morning routine in order to accommodate his marathon training and maintain his other responsibilities. Making the most of limited time is a great skill to develop and it applies to the working world. Not sure where to start? Learn how to starting a personal project or hobby will improve your productivity.
对于很多人来说，将自己的爱好安排进自己日常每周的日程是很有挑战的事。Jeff Sanders每天5点就早起，为马拉松训练腾出时间，同时保证自己负责的其他事务不受影响。在有限时间完成最多的事情是一个非常重要的而且能运用到工作中的技能。不确定从何下手？学着如何展开个人项目或者培养爱好将会提高你的效率。
3. You Will Improve Your Mental Health
3. 你可以提高你精神力量
How well you manage your mental health and stress levels has a major impact on your work performance. Fortunately, many hobbies offer mental health benefits. CNN found that crafting is good for your brain. Scientist Dr. Jeff Brown found that running improves your mental health – he shares his findings in the book, The Runner’s Brain. When you have the ability to think clearly, you will be able to solve more problems at work and get ahead.
如何调剂自身精神状态和受压能力是工作中重要的一个环节。幸运的是，很多爱好可以提高精神力量。CNN发现手工艺活对大脑是有益的。科学家Jeff Brown博士发现，跑步能提高精神力量——他在《跑步者的大脑》一书中提到。当你能清晰地思考问题，你就能解决更多问题，在工作中保持领先。
4. You Will Have Better Physical Health
4. 你的身体将更健康
Like it or not, your appearance and physical health directly improve your work results. The Daily Mail reports that HR staff and companies tend to view overweight people as less productive. Consider starting a hobby that will improve your health such as a sport or healthy cooking. As you improve your physical health, you will have more energy and that will help you at work.
不管怎么说，你的外形和身体健康直接影响到你工作效率。《每日邮报》报道HR和公司倾向认为超重的人效率低下。考虑一下运动或者健康饮食来作为你的爱好吧。当你身体健康之后，你有更多的能量，为你的工作提供助力。
5. You Will Be More Creative
5. 你会更有创造力
Developing creative solutions to problems at work is one of the best ways to set yourself apart from the rest of the pack. Actively pursuing a hobby is a great way to improve your creativity. Fast Company reports that creative hobbies such as photography and needlework improve performance at work. Simply occupying your mind with an activity beyond your regular work gives you a chance to ask new questions and new approaches to life.
工作中，有新办法解决问题的能力，通常是突出你个人能力的办法之一。主动培养自己的爱好是锻炼自己创造力最好的办法。《快公司》报道称摄影和缝纫这类创造性的爱好能提高工作中的表现。你大脑中有除了工作外的另一种活动给予你思考问题的新思路和看待生活的新方法。
6. You Will Understand What Matters To You
6. 你会明白什么对你更重要
Knowing yourself is essential to career advancement. By exploring a variety of hobbies, you will gain a new perspective on yourself. For instance, you may enjoy the challenge of leading a team to victory when you play basketball. That experience will help you to discover your leadership skills. As you experiment with different hobbies, you will also discover areas that are not your strength. For example, you may not like the technical aspects of digital photography. That experience will remind you to limit technical activities at your place of work.
搞清楚自己是职业晋升必备的要素。通过探索各种爱好，你会从不同的角度了解自己。比如，也许你打篮球时，会享受带领自己队伍获胜的挑战。这种经历会帮助你发掘自己的领导能力。当你尝试不同种类的爱好时，你同时也会发现自己不擅长的地方。比如，你也许不喜欢数码摄像的技术部分。这种经历会提醒你工作中避免触碰技术相关的事宜。
7. You Will Be More Self Reliant
7. 你可以更自律
As you pursue a hobby, you need to be self-directed. Nobody will stand over you each day and direct you to work on a hobby. It is up to you to purchase equipment, go through books and develop your skills. If you are training for a marathon, for instance, you are the one who decides whether or not to train each day. In your work, becoming more self-reliant is highly valuable skill. You will take on projects and learn new skills on your own, rather than waiting for your boss. Being self-reliant means you will be motivated to expand your job.
当你培养爱好的时候，你需要自我监督。没人会每天监督你，催促你坚持你的爱好。一切都是你负责，要去买该买的器材，去读该读的书，去锻炼该锻炼的技能。举个例子，如果你在锻炼马拉松，你才是那个决定是否需要每天锻炼的人。工作中，高度的自律是非常有价值的技能。当你承接项目，不用等你上司催促，你就会从中自学新的技能。自律意味着你能积极地扩展你的业务。
