How channeling Picasso could make you more successful at work

The secret to climbing the career ladder just might be knitting, taking a ceramics class, or refurbishing old cars.

That's right: According to new research from San Francisco State University, embracing your creative after-work hobbies — even if it's just trying your hand at a new dessert recipe — could be a major boost to your day job.

The report, which surveyed 350 employees with a mix of hobbies, careers, and personalities, found that those who engaged in a creative outlet after hours were more likely to be better problem-solvers during the day. In fact, study participants who actively took part in creative activities scored as much as 30 percent higher on performance rankings than those who rarely worked out their right brains.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

And in good news for workaholics, the researchers found that you don't have to totally shut off your work mode to reap the value of a creative jaunt. Read: You can skim work e-mails or brainstorm a new work proposal in between painting that still life in your evening art class.

So just why is flaunting your inner Picasso a smart career move? "Creative activities really can provide you the opportunity to learn something new about yourself," study co-author Kevin Eschleman, an assistant professor of psychology at San Francisco State University, told NPR. And of course, it's also a much-needed retreat from your nine-to-five stress. "You're using that time to recharge," he added.

This story was originally published on LearnVest. LearnVest is a program for your money. Read their stories and use their tools at LearnVest.com.

More from LearnVest...

• 7 secrets to launching a lucrative side gig
• Secrets of success: How I learned to make what I was really worth
• The financial food pyramid: Four building blocks to healthy finances