Would you believe us if we said that taking up a creative hobby or working on a passion project could actually make you better at your day job? Based on research, the most successful teachers usually have hobbies and interests outside of school that they’re passionate about. And it’s not surprising that their creativity from those pursuits knows no bounds, often transferring back into the classroom atmosphere. If we had to guess, we’d say the same is probably true for coworkers in any given office space.

The six success stories below prove that it’s definitely worth your time to pursue creative hobbies like pottery or writing. So go ahead and make some time for them in your schedule!

[Related: 20 Productive Habits of Successful (and Very Wealthy) People]

1. Warren Buffett

As we’ve stated multiple times, Warren Buffett is a force to be reckoned with. For example, the CEO and chairman of Berkshire Hathaway has been investing since he was only 11 years old. When he’s not busy conquering the business world or acting as an investment guru, he enjoys playing the ukulele. Check out this video of him performing a duet with Bon Jovi if you need any further proof of his musical skills.

[Watch: 6 Essential Tips for Work and Life From Warren Buffett]

2. Taylor Swift

If there’s anything we’ve learned about Taylor Swift lately, it’s that she excels at doing many things simultaneously. When she’s not singing her heart out in front of adoring fans, Taylor Swift is busy changing the minds of billion-dollar executives and breaking VEVO records. She’s also known for being generous to her fans, often donating money or prizes to those in need. But did you know that T-Swift is also a serious crafter in her spare time? Some of her best work includes a Drake-inspired needlepoint for bestie Ed Sheeran, mason jar snowglobes, and red, white, and blue desserts.

3. Satya Nadella

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is no stranger to technology: Prior to becoming the CEO, Nadella was primarily responsible for developing the multinational tech company’s cloud infrastructure. In his free time, he enjoys reading poetry. Sometimes he’ll even share his favorite inspirational quotes from poets in the next company-wide email. For example, this one is from Rainer Maria Rilke: “The future enters into us, in order to transform itself in us, long before it happens.”

4. Marissa Mayer

Marissa Mayer, CEO of Yahoo, is commonly known forperfecting company culture and Generating discussion about female executives in the corporate world. She has also made changes to her company’s maternity leave policy. When she’s not working, she enjoys baking and likes to experiment with recipes to make the perfect cupcake. She often studies recipes and creates spreadsheets for ingredients to help her in this pursuit.

[Related: 8 Amazing TED Talks Every Woman in Her 20s Should Watch]

5. Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep is a force to be reckoned with, and few actresses can compare. With 19 Academy Award nominations under her belt, she commands attention and respect. Not only is Streep an excellent actress, but she’s also quite the knitter. Rumor has it that she even hand-knit her own shawl for her role in Doubt (2008). “I spent all of my time knitting on set,” Streep once told BBC Radio 4. “I taught Amy [Adams] to knit… For me, it was a place to gather my thoughts.”

[Related: 9 Things Successful People Do on Sunday Nights]

6. George W. Bush

Since retiring from the White House, former president George W. Bush has taken up oil painting as a hobby. His many subjects include dogs, cats, world leaders, and Jay Leno. Last year, his presidential library in Dallas hosted an exhibit of some of his portraits. Check out this slideshow for a look at some of his best work.

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