Travel is essential for a great career

When do you get to experience what this world has to offer? Is it after you finish school, gain a solid income, or after your kids grow up? Why do you have to defer it in the first place?

Have you ever wanted to try pizza in Pisa, sushi in Tokyo, or jerk chicken in Kingston?

Is the anticipation almost as good as the trip itself? It definitely could be especially when your plan is gaining new life experiences. Many people go about vacations as basically switching geographic locations and not having to go to work, but they are basically the same person. Have you ever thought about taking a vacation from being yourself? Why not switch roles and become someone else without having to leave your body. The best part is that its not permanent!!!

In 2018, I went to Peru and like so many others before me, my plan was to hike all 7,970 ft of #machupicchu. When I left Canada, I was Darren the Electrical Engineer. When I landed in Peru I became Darren the Mountain Climber, who instead of waking up every morning to review engineering drawings and specifications, had to wake up to mentally and physically prepare to put 1 foot in front of the hour and walk towards the heavens for 8 hours per day; it’s as close to an out of body experience that I have ever experienced!!

Instead of starting your day with sipping coffee and surfing your smart phone, you’re savoring coca tea to soothe your stomach from the altitude sickness and there is nothing to surf as there is no reception or ocean where you are.

What about changing it up personnel wise? Instead of the same cubicle dwellers at work, why not meet people from all over the world? People who are not united under the guise of getting a paycheck but rather living life to the fullest. People who don’t know you as the original you, but rather the new you.

While certain elements of the new you will be temporary, you can cherry pick certain elements from your journey to become a permanent part of you. In essence, creating your own culture:

• ?????????Become wiser and learn how not to get scammed
• ?????????Learn about the different ways of doing everything
• ?????????Expanding your mind to the many perspectives of others
• ?????????If you’re an introvert, become more extroverted
• ?????????If you’re a lone wolf, become more gregarious
• ?????????Become a #minimalist and learn to travel with only what is needed
• ???????Acknowledge that you will make mistakes as part of your learning curve

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Use travel as a way to practice evolving as a human being, as your career can (and should) evolve as well. The same principles from traveling can be applied to your career:

• ?????????Build your own culture from a diversity of other cultures (great for leadership)
• ?????????Become open minded and flexible in the way you (and others) accomplish things (great for leadership)
• ?????????Use your travel experiences to avoid getting suckered by the charlatans and criminals that roam the earth
• ?????????Leaving your comfort zone regularly to try new things
• ?????????Become an #essentialist and learn to focus on quality over quantity (great for leadership)
• ?????????Allowing yourself to only learn and grow from mistakes

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The best time to travel is NOW!! For a fun and easy way to get comfortable with being uncomfortable, I recommend taking a trip on your own. Use a tour company as they will design and plan all of the activities; they will keep you safe especially if you don’t speak the language. You will meet people from all over the world and could make travel #friendsforlife ; or, meet up with them when you visit their home country.

When you are moving at the speed of life, travel is not optional – it is necessary for your #growth and evolution as a human being. Since we spend so much time at work, wouldn’t it be wise to cultivate a reputation that you can work with anybody; because, you have been around so many people? Moreover,?with all of this life experience you will surely end up with a few great stories to tell; they will make interesting water cooler talk and great conversation starters at social events. I’ve definitely mentioned #machupicchu .

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#travel

#greatlife

#growthmindset

#careersuccesstips

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