6 Ways to Travel And Still Keep Your Career Intact
A lot of us dream of traveling the world, but the thought of giving up our careers to do so can be a daunting one. Luckily, it is possible to have the best of both worlds. With a little planning and preparation, you can successfully travel and maintain a prosperous career like entrepreneur Richard Yu.
What Is Location Independence?
One of the first things you need to consider is your definition of “travel.” For some, it may mean taking a few extended vacations each year. This is easier to manage if your job can be done from anywhere, aka has an independent location. If you work in tech or are a freelance writer, you can often work from anywhere with an internet connection. Even if your job can’t be done entirely remotely, many employers are now open to the idea of employees working from different locations for part of the week or month.
Create A Schedule That Works For You
If you want to travel and keep your career, you must find a schedule that works for both. This may mean working a little bit each day while you’re on the road, or it could involve taking a couple of weeks off every few months to travel. The key is to be flexible and figure out what arrangement will allow you to get your work done without sacrificing your ability to see the world.
How Can You Travel And Still Keep Your Career?
If you love to travel but also want to maintain a successful career, there are ways to make it work. You can have the best of both worlds with little planning and preparation. Here are six tips on how to travel and still keep your career intact:
Choose A Company That Values Travel
When you’re job hunting, research companies with a history of valuing their employees’ time away from the office—even if it’s unpaid. Look for opportunities to join an organization with remote work policies or unlimited vacation days. These workplaces are more likely to be understanding when it comes to your need to step away for extended periods.
Set Boundaries With Your Employer Before You Leave
Before booking your flight, sit down with your boss and explain your intentions and expectations. If you’re hoping to check in periodically or need to take calls during certain hours, make sure your boss is aware of this and is okay with it. The last thing you want is for there to be any surprises when you’re halfway around the world.
Get Your Financial Ducks In A Row
Before jetting off on your adventure, ensure you have all of your financial affairs in order. This means everything from ensuring that all of your bills are paid and squared away to have enough money saved to cover any unexpected costs that may pop up while you’re gone. The last thing you want is to worry about money while trying to enjoy yourself and see the sights.
Stay Connected With Loved Ones
It can be easy to get wrapped up in your world while traveling and forget about those who matter most back home—but don’t let this happen. Make an effort to stay in touch with family and friends via text, social media, or old-fashioned phone calls, and let them know how much you appreciate them even when you’re miles away from one another.
Keep Your Eye On The Prize (AKA Your Career)
Remember why you wanted to take this trip in the first place: to further your career by gaining new skills, experiences, and knowledge that you can bring back home with you and put to good use at work once you return. Though it may be tempting to veg out on the beach for two weeks straight, try to spend at least some of your time exploring different aspects of the culture so you can come home feeling like you’ve truly accomplished something meaningful.
Take Advantage of Technology
There are several ways to use technology to your advantage when traveling and working. One is to take advantage of time zone differences. If you have clients or colleagues from different parts of the world, you can often schedule calls or meetings outside traditional work hours. This way, you can still be productive during your travels without sacrificing time exploring your destination.
Another way to use technology is to automate as much of your work as possible. This can free up time to enjoy your travels without worrying about falling behind on your work. Several tools and software programs can help with this, so research what would work best for you.
Final Thoughts
Traveling can be a fantastic experience that opens our minds and helps us grow as individuals—but only if we approach it the right way. With some planning and preparation, it is possible to maintain a successful career while still getting out there and seeing the world like CEO and entrepreneur Richard Yu. These are just a few tips on making travel work for you and your career—if done correctly, everyone wins.
Please share best tips about travel and working in the comments below, on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.