8 Ways Leaders Spend Their Time After Hours
Have you heard the old proverb, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull
boy,” or worse yet, heard it said about you? If so, you might be
spending too much time at work and not enough time playing. Without time
off from work, people can become both bored and boring.
Even the most successful and productive people make outside interests a
priority. So what do they do that you can do too? Here’s a list.
1. They get outside.
Breathing in the fresh
air of nature can be regenerative after a long day in the office.
Stretch your legs and your senses by drinking in the healing properties
nature provides. It’s not natural to sit all day under fluorescent
lights. And it’s not ideal.
Find time to get your mind off of work
and engage in an outdoor passion, like fishing, hiking, birdwatching,
surfing or skiing. Such extracurricular activities help you gain new
perspective on life. Even an activity as small as a lunch hour walk can
create healthy benefits.
2. They get physical.
Our
bodies aren’t meant to sit all day and hunching over a computer all day
long has no health benefits. According the Dr. James Levine, director
of the Mayo Clinic, sitting is the new smoking.
Find a gym, buy a treadmill or form an in-home exercise routine. Find at least ten minutes every day to stretch or do some yoga.
There are a lot of websites that offer low-cost monthly memberships for
people who want to live a healthier life. The movement will strengthen
your both your body and your mind.
3. They break routine.
Doing the same thing,
day after day, can never stimulate the creative person that lurks
inside each of us. Put yourself in a new environment, try a new skill or
visit an intriguing destination. In order to maintain a fresh
perspective and cultivate your curiosity, you must experience new
things. You’ll not only expand your interests, you’ll become a more
interesting person -- an appealing trait to those who want to move up
the ladder.
4. They give back.
You’ll
often find CEOs and company presidents among the volunteers or on the
boards of various charitable organizations. If you want to rub elbows
with community leaders, look for opportunities to help others. You’ll
feel good about your contribution and gain popularity as a team player.
5. They stay curious.
The most interesting
people consider ongoing learning essential to their lives. Whether
through classroom-style or experiential learning, you’ll find the top
achievers expanding their skills. Take an art class, learn to write or
take up photography. You never know when that new skill will come into
play at work, or become another revenue stream for you.
6. They cultivate friendships.
7. They stay connected with family.
We all
have the same 24 hours in a day, but real leaders make time for the
people they love. Don’t be the person who can’t seem to find time to
attend family events. Put family first!
8. They take time off.
Leaders
know the value of time away, and use that time to unplug and unwind,
reconnect and rejuvenate. Be sure to plan a significant chunk of time to
get away from work, like a week or two at a time, and put yourself in a
new environment to mix up your usual routine and keep life interesting.
source: www.entrepreneur.com
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