Spread Your Wings
Beyond Work: The Key to a Stronger MBA/Grad School Application and a Healthier Mind
I often tell those considering business school or other graduate programs that having outside interests is essential. Whether it’s volunteer work, social activities, professional organizations, or community service, these experiences enrich your life and strengthen your application.
I remember one year, I asked a client what his hobby was. He said, “Driving.”
Uh… I had to tell him that’s not a hobby—that’s transportation. But when he explained that he enjoys traveling mountain roads and stopping at natural hot springs, it made sense. That was something he could highlight.
Another client admitted that all he did was work, eat, and sleep. That just won’t do if you want to enter a top MBA program. He needed something to put on his resume. Eventually, we identified something he already did—he and his colleagues occasionally picked up trash around their office. Boom. That became a neighborhood cleanup initiative.
Another client held weekly English lunches so that he and his colleagues could practice speaking in a relaxed setting. That, too, was a valuable extracurricular activity.
Yet another client found himself constantly mentoring junior colleagues. He didn’t see it as anything special, but when we reframed it as informal leadership and professional development, it became an important highlight in his application. The key is not just what you do, but how you frame it—and how it contributes to your growth and that of those around you.
Find What Interests You
Some of my clients have pursued:
Running marathons and Ironman events
Planting coral to restore ocean ecosystems
Volunteering at retirement homes
Coaching youth sports
Learning a new language or skill outside of work
What you do is up to you, but—and this is important—you need to do something outside of work.
Why It Matters
1. It Strengthens Your Application
Schools seek well-rounded candidates. Grades and test scores aren’t enough—they want to see initiative, leadership, and engagement beyond your job.
2. It Builds Intercultural Skills
Getting involved in community activities helps you interact with people from different backgrounds, an essential skill for any global professional.
3. It’s Good for Your Mental Health
This became clear to me yesterday as I enjoyed my new hobby: birdwatching.
I took this picture of an egret in Shinjuku Gyoen, and in that moment, all my stress—grading 200+ papers, meeting deadlines—completely washed away.
Until recently, I always seemed to be rushing from one project to the next, eating lunch on the run, my mind on everything and nothing at once. But as I have come to realize, sometimes we need to pause.
We can’t always be in go-go-go mode like Speed Racer.
Or, as the country singer Mac Davis put it in the 1970s,
“You gotta stop and smell the roses.”
A Work-Life Balance Wake-Up Call
I’m American, and my clients are primarily Japanese. Our countries are among the worst for work-life balance.
In Japan, full-time employees work an average of 1,607 hours per year (OECD, 2023). In the United States, it’s even higher at 1,811 hours per year. Compare that to Germany (1,341 hours) or the Netherlands (1,440 hours)—countries with strong economies but far better work-life balance.
We often talk about productivity, but long hours don’t always mean high efficiency. When people are constantly overworked, creativity and motivation decline. Having outside interests isn’t just a “nice to have”—it’s essential for better performance and long-term well-being.
Many of my clients, especially in Japan, hesitate to take time away from work because they feel guilty. But research shows that employees who take breaks, engage in hobbies, and maintain work-life balance are actually more productive and make better decisions. Pushing yourself to exhaustion isn’t a sign of dedication—it’s a sign that something needs to change.
I’m working on improving my own balance, and I encourage my Japanese friends, colleagues, students, and clients to do the same.
Final Thoughts
For the benefit of your grad school application, society, social skills, and mental (and physical) health, find time to engage in something outside of work.
Enjoy life. You’ll be better for it.
Free Webinar!
Join me on March 1st or 4th for an International Graduate School & MBA Application Preparation Seminar.
What You’ll Learn:
✔️ Crafting a strong application strategy
✔️ Writing a compelling resume and essays
✔️ Preparing for admissions interviews
✔️ Avoiding common mistakes
✔️ Live Q&A session
🔗 Register here: Google Form