We often think a hobby is a distraction from our business.
We tell ourselves, “I am too busy.”
We say, “Maybe next year.”
We let our job become our only identity.
I watched the first UFC years ago. I discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), and I was completely fascinated. I told myself: “I need to learn this.”
But life happens. It took me 33 years to finally start.
33 years of waiting.
Today, BJJ is one of my biggest passions. And it taught me a hard truth about leadership.
A passion outside of work makes you a better leader in your business mission.
It reduces your stress. It gives you new energy. It makes you more curious. It helps you learn and create new connections…
You do not have to wait 33 years to start your own.
Here are 5 ways to uncover your new passion today:
1/ Dig into your childhood
The Concept: Pay attention to what you naturally loved before the world told you what you should do.
The Actionable Tool: The “10-Year-Old” Recall
Ask yourself what you spent hours doing when you were ten years old just for fun. Was it building things? Drawing? Exploring?
Block 20 minutes to do an adult activity that triggers that feeling (e.g., if you loved Legos, try 20 minutes of woodworking or 3D design)
2/ Force a list of 10
The Concept: The first few ideas are easy, but forcing yourself to list ten passions uncovers deeply buried interests.
The Actionable Tool: The “Blank Page” Sprint
Take a pen and paper. Do not stop writing until you have listed 10 things you have always wanted to try. Pick one and book a beginner’s class or buy a book about it.
3/ Combine old skills with new interests
The Concept: You do not need to throw away your past experience. Just apply it to a new area you love.
The Actionable Tool: The “Overlap” Matrix
Draw two columns. Left: Your top 3 professional skills (e.g., analyzing data, writing). Right: Your top 3 casual interests (e.g., wine, history). Find one way they connect and spend 30 minutes exploring it.
4/ Engage in “Unnecessary Creation”
The Concept: Dedicating time to creative projects with no pragmatic purpose or ROI allows you to discover neglected aptitudes.
The Actionable Tool: The “Zero KPI” Block
Block 1 hour in your calendar labeled “Useless Creation.” Paint, write, build, or play something with the strict rule that it must not make you money or advance your career.
5/ Choose the “more interesting” path
The Concept: When faced with a choice in your life or career, do not always optimize for productivity. Optimize for meaning.
The Actionable Tool: The “Fascination” Filter
Next time you have a free hour, instead of choosing the task that makes you feel “productive” (like clearing your inbox), choose the activity that makes you feel “curious.”
The Bottom Line
Don’t wait 33 years to step on the mat.
To be a better leader at work, you must be willing to become a beginner outside of it.
If your job title is your only identity, you limit your true potential.
You are a corporate athlete. Your daily challenges are your Olympic games.
You need a passion outside of work to fuel your energy.
Let’s embark on this transformative journey and unlock your true potential.
Let’s have a 15-minute talk to define your next step.
Dror
PS: Whenever you’re ready, here are 2 ways I can help you accelerate your career through coaching:
For Aspiring Senior Leaders/C-Suite:
- Accelerate Your Path to Leadership: I help you create your big picture and build a plan to accelerate your path. Let’s schedule a 15-minute call to explore if we can work together.
For Current Senior Leaders/C-Suite:
Elevate Your Leadership Impact: You know even small refinements at your level can drive significant organizational results and career acceleration. I accompany you on your project and guarantee the result. Schedule a focused 15-minute discussion.
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