{"id":5607,"date":"2016-06-09T06:20:25","date_gmt":"2016-06-09T10:20:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\/?p=5607"},"modified":"2016-06-09T06:20:25","modified_gmt":"2016-06-09T10:20:25","slug":"how-your-hobby-can-help-your-career","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kerryhannon.com\/?p=5607","title":{"rendered":"How Your Hobby Can Help Your Career"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"images\"<\/a>Because energetic, enthusiastic employees get more done, today\u2019s managers are exploring many ways to stimulate employee engagement<\/a>. Some programs work better than others, but one point seems clear: it\u2019s difficult for bored or unhappy leaders to motivate their teams. So perhaps your first rule for engaging colleagues is to be engaged yourself.<\/p>\n

Of course, it\u2019s not always easy to pull yourself out of the doldrums. A variety of steps might help, like remembering why your work matters, learning something new or spending more quality time with supportive co-workers.<\/p>\n

READ THIS POST Written by Career Coach and Author Beverly Jones ON WOUB<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

In this article, however, I\u2019m focusing on a strategy that brings dramatic results for some people: pursuing your healthy hobby so passionately that you remain in great shape for your busy work life.<\/p>\n

\"Kerry<\/a>
Kerry Hannon with her horse Saintly (aka Brinkley)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A striking example of someone whose thriving career is supported by her favorite free time activity is work and finance expert Kerry Hannon<\/a>.<\/strong> She is a prolific author of books like Love Your Job, as well as a columnist and writer for media organizations like The New York Times, Forbes, Money and The Wall Street Journal.<\/p>\n

Kerry<\/strong> seems to be constantly in the news, speaking at conferences across the country, testifying before Congress, serving as an expert for groups like AARP and turning out a steady flow of influential articles.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard to understand how she does it all, but part of the explanation is that Kerry\u2019s<\/strong> favorite free time activity helps her remain grounded and upbeat. Riding horses is Kerry\u2019s<\/strong> passion and she has been doing it since she was six years old.<\/p>\n

But Kerry<\/strong> doesn\u2019t just hack around. She has elected to pursue a very challenging sport, one that requires intense concentration. She regularly competes and wins blue ribbons in top, \u201cAA\u201d rated, Hunter and Jumper shows. In these events, the horse jumps over a series of fences, all the while maintaining a smooth stride and excellent form. It\u2019s almost as though horse and rider are joined in a choreographed, flowing dance.<\/p>\n

Here are some of the ways that Kerry\u2019s passion for horses supports her busy work life:<\/strong><\/p>\n