Why everyone should consider a travel sabbatical in their career journey

The unexpected benefits of travelling for your career.

For those of you who don’t have the pleasure of following me on Instagram, receiving my sporadic postcards or being on my extended family WhatsApp group, you won’t have had the latest update in my career journey. At the start of the year, I fled the icy UK winter to travel across Central America for Q1.?

Despite many concerned interjections from friends and family, I can confidently confirm it’s been the trip of a lifetime and I’ve come back richer in far more than just memories.?

Now safely back in the UK, I’ve had some time to reflect on the unexpected benefits of travelling for career, life and mindset. For those of you interested or simply fancy having a gander at some tropical photos, Here are my top 5:?

1. Travelling forces you to become an organisational ninja.?

The phrase ‘insta vs. reality’ has never been more apt than when used to describe travelling. Behind every idyllic smiling beach shot, there’s hours of research, planning and far, far too many google tabs.

Every day there’s a new hostel to book, exchange rate to grasp, multiple lengthy and rather unappealing bus routes to deliberate over. Thinking travelling is a pure holiday would be a big mistake!?

Before long, you find yourself becoming what I like to call a ‘professional traveller’. We’re talking google docs, excel spreadsheets, folder structures, shared albums. Dare I say it, it rivals some full time job responsibility lists.

What I can confidently say, is that the ever-restocking pile of research most definitely keeps the brain ticking.?

2. The digital detox is priceless.?

We live in a crazy world in 2023. We’re constantly connected to a smart phone which buzzes 24/7. We jump from teams call to teams call, barely managing to grab a tea between meetings or remember that washing we put on two days ago. It’s incredibly hard to be ‘off’.?

Travelling forces you to press the off button.?

When travelling, 95% of the time you’re without internet, without notifications and crucially, without the habit loop of being glued to and reliant on our devices.?

It’s interesting what you reflect on once you allow yourself the time and opportunity to really think without digital distractions. It’s equally interesting how hard it is TO properly reflect when you’re in locked into the daily grind. This is something I’ve only come to realise since being away. I’d highly recommend giving it a try.?

3. Your network will grow ten fold.

I didn’t expect to be using the word ‘Networking’ next to ‘Travelling’. It certainly feels like a juxtaposition and a half. But lo and behold, it turns out travelling is one of the best, most genuine and natural forms of networking there is.

Every trip, hostel and bus ride exposes you to a new group of people to meet. Often from a huge array of backgrounds, industries and mindsets. I’ve met doctors, nomads, train drivers, business owners, divers and even a trainee pet detective. I now have a global network of genuine contacts who I’d happily call upon if I needed a hand.?

Aside from the network benefits, meeting such a variety of people gives you a brilliant boost to your interpersonal skills and understanding of the human race. We can be far too guilty of socialising with those just like us in daily life. There is a whole world of people out there, and I’m so thankful I’ve had the chance to meet so many.

4. Adaptability, resourcefulness and thinking on your feet become your super powers.?

I can’t lie, it really is sink or swim out there. It’s surprisingly rare for a day to go by where everything goes to plan. And that could range from the once daily bus not turning up to cross the border, to a medical emergency on a remote semi-uninhabited island. Unfortunately both true stories (everyone was fine and we’ve all lived to tell the tale, crises averted).?

The reality is you’re not at home any more. There’s language barriers, cultural differences, differing safety levels and very limited and often contradictory information available beforehand.?

Travelling forces you to feel at home in this uncertainty, to set off from one country not fully clear on the steps to get to the next, or to make rapid and logical decisions when plan A falls down unexpectedly.

There’s no place for irrationality or catastrophising, and much space for resourcefulness, thinking on your feet and adapting fast.?

Travelling aside, these are highly desirable and essential skills in today’s workplace. And I don’t know about you, I’d certainly rather practice them in 30-degree topical sunshine.?

5. and lastly, a reminder to live everyday. And be grateful for the opportunity.?

Do you ever get the feeling that life is dragging you along, rather than being in the driving seat, behind the wheel. I definitely felt like this at times before I left for my travels.?

Days, weeks and months would go by in a blink and days would merge into one.

This was one of the biggest reflections I’ve had since being away. When travelling, you make the most of every single day. Each day is packed full of new places, trying new foods, experiencing new cultures. Each day is full of memories and it doesn’t end at 6pm. No day is wasted and no day is taken for granted.?

Looking back, although time has flown, my three months also feels closer to a year thanks to all the amazing experiences I’ve had.?

I hate to be that cliché, but (for now) time is sadly one of the few things we cannot buy. Make sure you don’t spend it without thought.?

Going back into the working world, I’ll definitely be taking the zest for living each day with me. Life doesn’t stop at the end of the working day, days don’t need to be written off early and every morning is a new opportunity to experience life.?

Lastly, as a bonus note, I met several amazing indigenous communities whilst being away. One in particular stuck with me. The Kunas live on the San Blas islands and live a beautifully simple life. There’s no flushing toilets, beds or showers. They sleep in hammocks, eat from the land and the children occupy themselves with made up games and laughter. The Kunas were unbelievably happy, generous and kind, despite having a huge amount less than we do. It’s funny how unsatisfied we can be with so much.?

So if there’s one thing you take with you, be more like the Kunas. Love every day to the max, find happiness in the little things and be grateful for what we have.

For anyone considering a career break to go travelling, I'd urge you to go for it. You'll come back happier, healthier and with a renewed sense of enthusiasm for living and throwing yourself into work challenges. And for any employers toying with the idea of offering sabbaticals to your team, it may well be the best thing you can do for your employees AND your business.