Unleashing the power of Wanderlust: Lessons I learned during My Career Travel Break

In today’s fast-paced professional world, it is easy to be consumed by the demands of our careers.? We often find ourselves relentlessly pursuing success through promotions, salary raises, and increased responsibilities. Due to this, we overlook the importance of taking a step back to reflect, recharge, and rediscover our passions.? During a recent break from my career, I embarked upon a journey of self-discovery, realizing that Life’s most valuable lessons are often learned far from the confines of the office.?

For many, a career break may seem risky or scary, but my experience has shown me an invaluable opportunity for personal and professional growth. ?The journey of taking a travel break is transformative because it offers valuable lessons in embracing uncertainty, fostering cultural awareness, prioritizing relationships and well-being, sparking creativity and innovation, expanding your global network, and redefining the trajectory of professional success. In a world consumed by career success, personal reflection and exploration create profound personal and professional growth that can be achieved through wanderlust.

Embrace the unknown: I have always thrived in ambiguity and spent decades in my career carving out structure from chaos.? However, traveling to unfamiliar destinations forces you to embrace uncertainty.? I have traveled regularly for over 30 years (thank you, United Airlines ), and travel has taught me resiliency, adaptability, and spontaneity.? Unforeseen challenges and setbacks are often turned into positive experiences and growth.? My favorite quote has always been, Life begins at the end of your comfort zone – Neale Donald Walsch, because this is where real growth happens.

Cultural Awareness and Empathy: Travel immerses you in diverse cultures, promoting a deeper understanding of the world.? For a long time in my career, having a global perspective of the world has dramatically enriched my decision-making and interactions in the workplace and personal life and elevated my empathy for those around me with different views.

Unplugging for a renewed focus on your relationships: On my most recent trip, I realized how digital American Life has become when I sat in a local restaurant with 75+ people in Sardinia and noticed no one was on their phone. Dinner was relaxed and lasted no less than 3 hours.? I respect how Italians prioritize their relationships and time together without distractions. I will be more deliberate about being present and in the now.

Prioritize well-being: During my career break, I embraced the importance of self-care and well-being.? Just as we need to ensure our physical and mental health during travels, taking a break from your career can be a transformative experience for your overall well-being.? It reminded me that a healthy work-life balance is essential for career success.

Creativity and Innovation: Stepping away from the daily grind and routine rekindles creativity and innovation.? Travel inspires innovative ideas and perspectives.? The way diverse cultures approach the same problem is genuinely inspiring. ?The break gave me a fresh outlook, catalyzing innovation and improved problem-solving. ?I noted how Virgin Voyages uses motion detection to save lights and energy and leverages direct messaging to the crew for issue resolution or any random request. Others use geospatial technology to service your precise location.? I also saw a significant expansion of refillable filtered clean water dispensers, driving less use of single-use plastic bottles and even recycling plastic for airline blankets United Airlines !?

Networking beyond borders: Traveling has always enabled me to connect with people from diverse backgrounds who have remained lifelong friends. I have fostered new relationships with people from every continent through travel. ?I value these relationships because they provide the “local, real people” perspective vs. what the “tourist” experiences in the same country, city, or village. You learn about their joy and pain and realize we are all just humans living in different places with beautiful cultural differences to be celebrated.

My career break was a transformative experience that allowed me to deepen relationships and professional skills and reconnect with my true self.? ?It reminded me that a career is a journey, not a sprint.? A break from the routine can be just what you need to reflect, rejuvenate, and grow.? ?If you are considering a career break, please remember that it is not an interruption. It is an opportunity for personal and professional enrichment.? If you are lucky enough to have this time, embrace the adventure, savor the lessons learned, and return to your career with renewed energy and perspective. ??And now . . . back to work.

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