Why entrepreneurs need constructive hobbies to succeed

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As an entrepreneur, it’s not uncommon to devote every hour of your life to building your business. The idea of taking up activities 'for fun' sounds like a waste of time or a luxury that most entrepreneurs cannot afford.

However, no down time can end up draining you both physically and mentally, which can severely impact your productivity and creativity. That’s why you need to pursue a hobby that challenges you, fuels creativity, enriches your life and in turn helps you become a better entrepreneur. Check out five reasons why entrepreneurs need constructive hobbies to succeed:

The most successful entrepreneurs of our time have constructive hobbies that help them become more successful at work. Sandy Lerner, the co-founder of Cisco systems, enjoys jousting; Twitter’s Jack Dorsey indulges in hiking; and Microsoft founder Bill Gates is an avid bridge player.

Consider Sir Richard Branson, the billionaire entrepreneur of the Virgin Group, who kite-surfs every day as it helps him relax and manage stress.

Channeling this creativity to innovate and solve problems is one of the key benefits of having a meaningful hobby.

Consider Marissa Mayer, CEO of Yahoo and one of the most powerful businesswomen, who is an avid baker and is particularly obsessed with making cupcakes. She believes that the best cooks are chemists and as a scientist, she’s naturally curious about it too.

While she believes she is a businesswoman, she also admits that it’s her hobby—baking cupcakes—that makes her better at work. It helps her come up with innovative ways of looking at things.

Mark Benioff, the CEO of Salesforce, practices yoga and meditation to keep a clear head and listen deeply to others before making decisions. Practicing what he preaches, Benioff has also managed to set up yoga classes for his employees at Salesforce.

Warren Buffet, the chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway and the second richest man on the planet, often plays the ukulele. From writing his own songs to performing a duet with Bon Jovi for charity, Buffet pursues his hobbies religiously.

You should consider exploring your talents as they not only help you unwind but also unleash your talents and live new experiences.

Entrepreneurs are often overworked and don’t have enough time available to indulge in a hobby. All work and no play won’t make you productive. More often than not, it makes you lose focus and make mistakes. Give your brain a break by taking up a useful hobby. It will help you rest, recharge and gain fresh perspectives to innovate faster and solve problems more efficiently.

The author is the co-founder and director at SILA.