Personal Passions Boost Our Overall Well-Being

When was the last time that you engaged in a favorite interest, such as a hobby or sport, that relaxes your mind and fuels your creativity?

As professional communicators, we spend countless hours focusing on the work and needs of others. We write press releases touting the achievements of business leaders. We execute PR strategies to engage stakeholders. We coordinate events to attract prospective clients, patrons or donors. 

But during a typical workweek, how often do we consider our own needs? 

Finding passions outside work

Pursuing passions outside the workplace helps keep us motivated to achieve our personal and professional goals, says Adam James, founder and CEO of Mindful Journey, an organization committed to well-being and performance. 

“Our work often becomes our identity,” James tells me in a recent interview. “Although we should take pride in our work and be committed to adequate performance, we must not be so attached to it that we miss opportunities to enjoy life. Having pursuits outside of work can help initiate that satisfaction.”

James recommends we set aside our work duties periodically and think about our personal fulfillment, whether that means revisiting an old hobby or pursuing a new interest. By spending time on pursuits that we find meaningful, we “will undoubtedly grow and find deep personal purpose,” he says. 

A variety of obstacles might prevent us from pursuing our passions. Maybe we’re too busy with work and family and simply don’t have time for our personal interests. There may be prohibitive expenses involved, or we lack the motivation to start a new project.

James says people should try to balance their professional productivity with their personal well-being. The fulfillment and confidence that we gain by pursuing interests outside of business hours can make us more creative at work, he suggests.

“We measure our worth based not only on our success in the office, but also through our efforts as a dedicated family member, charitable volunteer and recreational pursuer,” James says.

If finding time for personal interests is a barrier, then consider whether the difficulties of cutting back in other areas of your life outweigh the well-being of mind, body and spirit those passions can provide. 

As James says, “The mental health benefits that come from outside pursuits cannot be overstated.” Our personal passions give us the “reason to wake up every day.”