August 18, 2005 6:31 PM

Get a hobby!
Posted by at 6:31 PM

Spare-time activities not only provide a welcome break from the grind, but can also bolster work performance. So, the next time you feel guilty taking some time to enjoy an avocation, consider this:

Gina Dias, a controller who lives in San Jose, Calif., credits cycling with some of her success in business. An avid bike racer, she says her hobby has sharpened her negotiating skills and strengthened her discipline.

There is a lot of negotiation in bike racing, she explains. On a team, one person is picked to win. The others do everything they can to help, whether it is riding out front to break the wind, or cycling alongside as a shield against competitors who might crash into the racer. If the would-be winner's tire pops, the teammates give the racer one of theirs. But there is a give and take. The person tapped to win one race should step aside to let another teammate try to win the next one, Ms. Dias says. The other teammates also negotiate over who gets to try to win the shorter segments within the longer race.

Read this article from WSJ Career Journal that cites the unexpected benefits of pursuing your hobbies.