The Remarkable Impact of Hobbies on Career | Karen McFarlane Holman, Ph.D. | TEDxLenoxVillageStudio
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 มี.ค. 2021
- Full Talk Title: The Remarkable Impact of Hobbies on Your Career
We are masters of feeling guilty every time we get distracted by our hobbies when we feel like we should be working. But what if our hobbies are actually enhancing our careers? Bolstered by a recent scientific study, scientist and punk rocker Karen McFarlane Holman proposes a way for us to quickly dispel guilt and identify our strengths that we may not have recognized before. Karen McFarlane Holman, Ph.D. is a chemistry professor at Willamette University and is the Founder and Director of Science Rockstar Kids, a unique online program that offers interactive online science explorations for elementary school-aged children.
As a recipient of the Carnegie Foundation Professor of the Year award, Karen has been inspiring and empowering tens of thousands of budding scientists for 30 years through her classroom and online teaching, science camps for girls in Saudi Arabia, laboratory research mentorship, a scientific TEDx talk, and 26 book chapters and articles. As Founder and CEO of Punk Rock Professor, LLC, her current mission is to use creativity and connection in a variety of accessible platforms to inspire kids and adults to follow their
curiosity of the world around us.
Karen’s dedication to empowering unheard voices extends into music as a punk rocker, having performed on hundreds of stages for over three decades. She still plays in two actively performing bands, City of Pieces and Hot Sheets. She is a podcaster, longtime radio programmer, and is the Founder of KMUZ-FM, the first community radio station in Salem, Oregon. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx
When I make time for my hobbies, I feel so much better about my work. It is a struggle and that little voice in my head says ‘you should be doing xyz with your time’, but every time, 5 minutes into my hobby time, I feel relief and happiness.
Gerry, great send. Like FANTASTIC, I really needed this.
I have recently been trying more things as a hobby and I have to say, it's a really nice feeling.
@@julianfritzer I love hearing this. Happiness abound!
My Hobby became my career, that is freedom!
Truly!
The title underplays actually how important this is. Bravo Karen!
So much appreciated! I'm glad it impacted you so greatly. :)
Thank you Levsha!
Hobbies, anything that gives us a moment to be free within our selves, to create, to have purpose, seems like a great thing in my eyes. Relieved to see more people understanding the importance.
So much agree Cody!
We are more than our work, be more than your work. This message is vital, Karen! Thank you for getting it out there!
Thank you so much for your comment, Liam! I'm so glad the message impacted you so positively. :)
about bloody time someone broke it down like this. we have been living to work for so long with such little joy. hobbies need to be a more important part of our every day lives!
So agree!!
We need to detach value from money! What a great message, thank you so much for this reminder, Karen!
You are SO RIGHT! And thank you for your kind message!
Agreed, it needs to be viewed as needs based.
I always work best when I don’t feel like my job is the be all and end all in my life. When I have more things in my life to give meaning to me and my experience, I don’t take things so seriously and means I am relaxed and make better decisions.
Makes sense, it's been known for a long time that balance brings peace.
From a young age I knew that I wanted to work doing something I loved. And I did! For about 10 years! Makes sense as to why I did burn out with that love, I needed other hobbies for outside of my first love!
Yes yes yes @Pizza Addict!
I took up a hobby for the first time EVER a few months back. I must say, it's really been so helpful in me finding simple joy in my day to day life.
Harry, I'm so glad you found the joy. And that's a good point - to have joy EVERY DAY. Cheers!
I couldn't agree with this more strongly, I've said for years that everyone needs a creative release, and if you don't have one you just kind of wither away inside.
Perfect words to describe it... wither away. Thank you @Astrid :)
I am only now trying to find things that bring me either excitement or even a cathartic experience as I've only ever had my job and what fulfillment comes from that and I see now finally in my 40's that I need more.
There is still so much time ahead of you! Glad you are finding this now for yourself. :)
I remember getting lost in my hobbies like that too! How I miss those days where you could just get lost in things that make you happy!
I truly believe those kinds of days can happen for adults too!
☝️ 👍
In those days I didn't call them hobbies- I just did stuff.
@@jaineyrosting Good point. I never called my music a hobby until I had to think of a word to encapsulate it universally. But yeah, if you release any need for a label, it's doing things that you like doing.
That guilt, I understand that so well. I always have this sense of shame that I can’t do anything that I like until I have done all the things I ‘should’ do first. This inevitably leads to me becoming depressed and withdrawing and unable to do the things I ‘should’ be doing anyway.
@Valter Adnan I so hear you. It's such a conundrum especially if you can't even enjoy that thing you want to be doing due to the guilt overtaking you. I think it takes a lot of work with reflection, separate from both the work and play. And sometimes taking baby steps to be able to do it at least a little bit. Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I know a huge number of people can relate to what you're saying.
I figured this was just the stress of being human lol
I know this feeling so well!
Karen is such a great speaker and I LOVE THIS LINE OF THINKING. I wish I had done more to ensure I had hobbies for my later years!
Wow, thank you so much for this comment!! I am so glad this talk impacted you so powerfully. :)
Who would have thought, having things outside of what we do to make money would give us a better sense of satisfaction in life. This should be a part of our basic needs.
So true, Carol.
need to work on my time management... i want nothing more than to have a hobby that brings me joy.
That is probably one of the biggest barriers for everyone who struggles to prioritize time for hobbies. It's a lifelong process. But with rewards!!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience and insights on this topic Dr. Holman!! As a current graduate student, I feel similarly to how you felt that we need to "hide" our hobbies from our PIs! Being involved in Chem Club in college, I knew that I always wanted to share science with a laymen audience. Now I have an academic Instagram account and science podcast and I feel like my passion for content creation needs to be hidden from my boss--but I push through coming home from lab to work on recording podcasts/making Instagram posts because I know giving back and having these hobbies make me who I am!! Thank you for being such an inspiration to all of us at Willamette both inside and outside of the classroom! Without faculty like you, I would not have been inspired to engage in these hobbies!
@Paige H - I appreciate this message enormously. I'm so happy you are not letting worries stop YOU from being YOU! I'm excited to watch your life unfold with your podcast, IG, and career! You inspire me, too. Thank you Paige!!
And not only does it fulfill you, but by creating the content you do you're helping educate those of us who don't have the education to understand all the time :)
@@lilyschmyer I so much appreciate that. I really love creating content and making science (and other things) more easily accessible and understandable. Thank you!
For me, my hobbies are my life. All the work I do is done to sustain them. That is how I have chosen to not only create work/life balance but also support my mental well being and humanity.
@Kaleb Murch LOVE IT. That is a beautiful way to live.
Living the dream by the sounds of it Kaleb, I need to be doing this too.
I'm exactly the same, everything that isn't a hobby is just a side hustle.
@@marychristmaseveryone Beautiful.
Hobbies are you! Work is not why you were born! Joy is!
Love these statements Dana!!
Karen, great talk, my hobbies have saved my life more than once. It is an escape with a purpose.
Well said!
Thank you so much Ricardo!
Well,my hobby is roaring ,
I am an English language teacher and an embroiderer of scenes from mosaics of antiquity. I have brought together embroidery and history!I am having a blast!
Wow, that is so amazing and cool what you are doing!!
I love this Eleni!
This is crazy, like I can't relate at all because I never feel guilt about devoting time to my hobbies, and neither should anyone else!
I love that you don't know that feeling - you are experiencing how it SHOULD be!! :D
YES!
I am writing these three questions down and sticking them somewhere I can see them every day. Invaluable insight and a reminder everyone needs!
That is amazing to hear, Erma! I'm so glad that I was able to give you some valuable takeaways!!
thank goodness our society is understanding the need for balance these days.
Agreed!!
Awesome! We have been supporting upcoming artists to combine their / and our / passion for music and living the dream!
Wow, that is amazing!!
Soooo cooooool
Not a day goes by that I wish I had been more accustomed to hobbies and what they entail. Now I sit twiddling my thumbs, glaring at a wall.
7:30 “every time we let one of our hobbies sit dormant, we have rejected a part of ourselves” Ouch! Ouch, ouch ouch!!!
I feel your pain, @Juan Salazar ! I have felt that 'ouch' too many times to count.
Take. Your. Assigned. Leave!!! It is the best thing you can do for yourself and your job! Added bonus, if you only work the hours you are allocated and within the parameters of your contract, your company can see where they need to realistically put more resources so you and your colleagues don’t get burnt out. It is the best thing you can do for yourself and for others in your work!
@Elvira Gabriele I'm so glad you said all of this - it's SO important that people don't work harder than is reasonable. They don't "win" - instead, everyone loses. Thank you for this message!!
This is fact!
Years go by and we feel unsatisfied and still don't have time for what we really like doing.
I hope you do find time for what you love doing! :)
and here's me thinking I need to spend less time on my hobbies but nup, not after this. Cheers Karen!
Awesome!!!
Wow! Karen's passion and understanding is so inspiring. When she was with that group of women and the one lady, realizing how she had given up her guitar for her career.... I cried! We have been conditioned to think everything is all or nothing, that we must constantly compromise but Karen here so beautifully explains how when we encourage harmony in all facets of our life, that's when we really thrive.
Lily - I so much agree with you. We automatically think we have to compromise and give up on things we love. It makes no sense! We have one life, and this one chance to share the best of every part of us (and ENJOY ourselves)!
@@chemistryrockstar_official thank you 👍
This about sums up my feelings after watching this
@@rubyguil4622 Thank you so much!
Lily, thank you so much for your kind words. I'm so happy it impacted you so profoundly. 😊
This makes so much sense to me, I know from my own life that having things outside of my work life allows me to feel so much more motivated. Karen, GREAT talk. We need to continue to highlight the importance of things that bring us joy in life.
Sammy, AMAZING, I really needed this!
Samira, thank you so much for this message! I totally agree - those outside things bring not only joy, but also motivation. I appreciate your kind words! Thanks and best wishes :)
@@theoriginaltedtok Yay! I'm so glad you found value in this!
Yes! A message that more people need to hear
@@audreylstamford Thank you so much! I am so glad you think so. :)
I used to get so lost in drawing and could lose hours! How I miss those days!
Ohhh Yes!!! Isn't it amazing? Lost in the flow... :) But what do you think? Can you bring those days back in your life?
Is this like the idea of flow state? Having space and time to get lost in an activity has a pretty profound impact on your well-being and mental health.
Totally agree!!
yes, we need to be more than worker bees
@@johnrowan9033 Exactly.
There is so much joy in having balance in life, I need to do what Karen says and make time!
Kiara I hope you are doing it already! Your message itself is glowing so I hope you are!
@@chemistryrockstar_official I am, thank you for replying, you are so nice!
What I find remarkable is how long it has taken us to recognise the importance in balance!!!
So true Raphael!!
An excellent message excellently given. It made me think a lot.
Thank you John! :)
Me too!
@@averyrothschild so glad to hear! :)
Me too, My hobby, cars!
@@Boss-1964 Love that!!! I see it in your photo!! Awesome. :)
My hobbies of collecting fossils, geological rock pieces, postage stamps, listening to music and doing sports and physical fitness have kept me alive through my forest service of over three decades and after retirement as well.
Such an important message
Thank you Lois!! You are inspiring!
You know what, this is actually a very cool talk.
Why thank you Myster Mix!! I appreciate your message!
55 and I am just learning the importance of extra-curricular activities hahaha
old timer, get it going!
Excellent message.
Thank you Tony! I am grateful for your support!
The need for balance in our lives should be something we are taught in school but instead we are slaving away in a society that claims to care for its citizens but if they did, why are resources and funding for any creative elements in schools being sacrificed time and time again.
☝Wisdom there
How awesome to come across this. Seriously. Brilliant woman and a brilliant POV.
How awesome to see this comment! Thank you.
me too
It was only in my mid 20's that I finally found a hobby - sculpting with clay! And it's grown a lot since then but goodness it's offered me so much peace in my life
That's amazing Vivian!
I sculpt too!
@@whatmotivatesyou6449 Awesome!
@Vivian I love this :)
Karen, the joy on your face says it all! Amazing message!
Awww thank you Daria! I am really excited about this message! :D
I love this so so much! THANK YOU FOR THIS VALIDATION!
I love that you love this!!
You are so welcome Hailey!! Thank you!
This is great! I am a practicing physician and an internationally showing artist. My dual career has brought me so much fulfillment and inspired many. Yes, it can be done and can be very rewarding. Thanks for a great talk.
Susie, this is amazing, what you do!! Cheers to you!
It took me spending 1000's in therapy to find out the main reason I keep burning out - is lack of hobbies! Go figure.
true for so many of us.
@@thisislife8931 yes it is
This made me tear up. I used to draw as a child. Got married young and would draw for my boys. At one point in life I stopped. Now working at a school I’ve been sketching again. Mostly for work. I had been asked for sketches for a potential gallery. Time was very limited so I didn’t submit any. But when Karen said “Make sure your hobbies those pieces of yourself aren’t sitting there silently for years staring at you waiting for you.” It really hit me.
Aw, I'm so glad it was a powerful statement for you. Have you sketched more since then? Wishing you all the best to revitalize that part of yourself.❤
What if my hobbies are similar to my work…I find a lot of joy because my work is in the same realm of my hobby. It feels like I’m not working and when I engage in hobby time, it feels like I am bettering my work. This way of life works for me.
I think that's wonderful! It sounds like you've found work that really sparks joy for you. I think you fall into a realm of lucky, some would say! You've found a great way to live! :)
@@chemistryrockstar_official Great talk thanks, and yes I have!
@@rachstulen LOVE that. You are an inspiration to many!
That's liberating! Thank you Soo much... Now I.A I can be an Accountant, along with being a Writer. God bless you ✨
Yes!! I'm so glad!!! Reading this makes me so happy.😄
it is so inspiring
Thanks so much - I'm so glad the message inspired you!
Its wonderful!
She is remarkable, good TED Karen!
Thank you Erin! I appreciate your comment enormously!
I agree! Good TED!
Thank you so much Elaina!!
Ha! Yeeees! Karen, we need this shown in schools!
Love this comment!
I'm not sure how to make that happen, but I LOVE this idea! Thank you so much!!
I'm trying to become a game developer
It's definitely something that whenever I push myself to learn, it motivates me to improve on myself
Good stuff, Karen! I can't live without some sort of hobby, whether it's music or writing or hiking or bicycling. But I agree that it's easy to let time get away...
Thank you, Tim! Yes - I definitely see you as someone who never let those hobbies die away!!
Oh do I know about letting time get away!!
You need these things! I can't imagine a life without them either.
@@savannahdiego it flies from us all too readily!
@@savannahdiego It's so true!!
The ghosts of my hobbies sit all around me right now, waiting to be summoned when I put away my day job mentality.
I'm glad you see them! That is the first step towards inviting them to be active in your life again. :)
I laughed because I have the habit of hyper focusing on a new hobby but get over it in 3 months. I have a cupboard full of the ghosts of my hobbies... So many!
@@gilliandunn5087 You are not the only one with hobby ghosts! I'm laughing too! That definitely happens when there are too many of them. I don't think it's a bad thing to dabble in / try out hobbies though, because eventually you find one that really resonates and sticks long term.
Much better than the title suggest!
Thank you!! Now I wish I could change to a better title! In any case, I appreciate your response :)
It took me so long to figure this out. Sharing right now.
Wonderful!!
Thank you so much!
Are there any tips on how to find some free time when you work 12 hours a day from Monday to Saturday and have a family?
I hear you. My life is similar. What I have had to do is cut out things like watching TV and finding help when I can. From that, I have 1-2 hours per week to play music with my band. But also, sometimes I'm so exhausted from work that I don't even want to play. But when I do, it revives me and makes me so happy. In any case, I totally understand and I do promise that it DOES get more doable as your kids get a little older (mine are teenagers now and more self-sufficient).
Appreciated seeing this very much
I'm sooo glad it impacted you positively, Busby :)
Hmm, this talk makes me think that I have to start going to my dance lessons again :)
YES! :D
Oh my gosh, I hope you made that happen!! Awesome!!!
Well, in my case, even if I stop working, the numbers of tasks I have to do increase every day and I have loads of work that I have to finish anyway. How should I find my work life balance?
By recognizing that no matter what happens in your world, those tasks will get done eventually, and the work load will always be manageable if you have light in your life from the joy of a hobby or a passion.
ooooo i like this thinking here!!
Thank you!!
what a much needed reminded
So much so
I'm so glad!
brilliant thinking
Thank you!!
HA! cool, got it, and I live it!
Yay!!!
Love this!
I'm so glad!! Thank you @Janet's Place ! (Side note: I love your name - I recently wrote a song called Janet Venus! It's on Spotify if you want to hear, listed under my band Hot Sheets.)
@@karenmcfarlaneholman im looking now, thanks
No one asks me who my favourite dinosaur is anymore. No one
So I play golf, can that turn into a career! lol, good talk.
@Lucas Tanner - Probably difficult in the traditional sense (being a pro golfer) but it can definitely feed and inspire other things you do! And thank you so much, I'm glad you liked the talk. :)
Or maybe a lucrative hobby!?
Great message and presentation… should have finished with a guitar solo though! 😂 🤘
Very interesting, not what I expected from a Ted talk.
Oh cool! I'm SO curious what you were expecting - or why this was unexpected.
Thank you!
We need to get rid of the word hobby all together, people don't take it seriously enough - "passion projects" through and through
YES!
I know it isn’t relevant…but any tips on how to get hair like yours would be appreciated!
Carolanne, awww thanks for the compliment! Truly, I thank my grandpa... he had gorgeous thick dark hair up until he passed away at age 93! Amazing! (Also, my stylist is brilliant.) :)
@@chemistryrockstar_official haha, sorry didn't mean to be shallow, and yes I see genes in your family worked!
If it wasn't for my primary hobby I doubt I would find any joy in life.
I am so happy you have that hobby to fulfill you! :)
Solo quería descarga mi película y terminé aquí :(
Eso pasa a veces. Culpa a internet! ;)
defs sending to my mom lol
Yah! Let us know if she liked it!
I hope she enjoyed it and is revitalizing her hobbies / passions!
Yo no entiendo ni z😢
Maybe we should not label our passions hobbies, and maybe they are our purpose.
Powerful truth! I was unsure about using the word 'hobbies', honestly, for a similar reason to what you bring up here. Thank you!
Worst thing you can do is make your hobbies your work! Enjoy your hobbies, keep money and career separate.
This is dynamite. And a reminder that in order to be successful, we must not put all our eggs in one basket!