You might be surprised to learn about the hobbies of some of America’s rich and famous. Hobbies reduce not only stress but also boost intelligence. Interestingly, many of us always have an excuse ready for not making time for a hobby. However, if our busiest billionaires and entrepreneurs can fit their hobbies into their schedules, so can we. Here are some hobbies to consider.
Choose hobbies that include physical exercise
Exercise is not only beneficial for your health, but it improves creativity and could make you smarter. Take a page out of the book of Steve Wozniak, electronics engineer and philanthropist. He plays Segway polo.
In the same vein, internet entrepreneur, Marc Benioff, does yoga, and Sergey Brin, a software engineer, does trapeze.
Exercise like cardio, running, yoga, weightlifting and even walking can produce long-term health and brain benefits. At the same time, it will benefit entrepreneurial skills.
Make learning new languages your hobby
Did you know that Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, learned Chinese? He said, along with it being a challenge, his reasons were to allow communication with his in-laws and to study Chinese culture.
Learning German, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese and Russian in the global business world can significantly benefit entrepreneurs. Learning new languages enhances the executive function of the brain. Furthermore, it improves memory, planning, execution, reasoning and problem solving — all of which are essential for business success.
Playing musical instruments as hobbies can be fun
Many successful business leaders and entrepreneurs learned to play various instruments in their youth, and some still play it today. For example, investor and business tycoon, Warren Buffet, plays the ukulele. Larry Page, a software engineer, played the saxophone in his youth.
Both entrepreneurs and musicians share vital skills like confidence, innovation and leadership, and there is no getting away from the link between achievement and playing musical instruments.
Include reading in your list of hobbies
Taking time out to read each day can bring happiness, health and quick-witted intelligence. Choosing wisely is crucial, and if you need some ideas, look at the recommendations by Warren Buffet:
Where Are The Customers Yachts by Fred Schweitzer Jr.
The Most Important Thing Illuminated by Howard Marks
Business Adventures by John Brooks
The Outsiders by William Thorndike Jr.
Dream Big by Christine Correa
Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits by Philip A. Fischer
The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham
The Little Book Of Common Sense Investing by John C Bogel
Recommendations by Bill Gates, Elon Musk and Steve Jobs are also available online.
Here’s a surprise — play video games!
Today, everyone from children to retirees play video games. Despite what Mom and Dad say, video games provide cognitive benefits. Evidence is available to show that video games improve social and spatial reasoning skills, memory and strategy skills. Moderation is key, but some of the rich and famous we would not think had the time, play an average of five hours per week. The following billionaires do not hide their love for gaming:
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO and co-founder of Facebook
Elon Musk, business magnate and CEO of Tesla Motors
Larry Page, Internet Entrepreneur and co-founder of Google Inc.
Steven Spielberg, Renowned Director and Producer
Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group
To sum up, while choosing any of these hobbies will not make a sudden genius of you, they will enhance cognitive skills, sharpen your memory and energize your brain.
