Many people think that traveling is now a thing of the past because they already have a full-time job. Even those who used to travel a lot believe that they’ll never be able to do what they love again, which is to explore the world, because of work commitments. But it doesn’t have to be that way; you don’t have to sacrifice travel just because you’re already working full time. In fact, it’s actually possible to have both in your life.
Sure, it’s a little more challenging to plan a getaway when you’re bogged down by work responsibilities and deadlines, but it’s still definitely possible. In fact, you have more reasons to travel because your job gives you money to make your dream vacation a reality. The trick is to be determined and organized.
In this article, you’ll discover ways to balance traveling with your full-time work. Read on to learn more:
- Motivate Yourself To Travel More
There’s nothing wrong with loving your work so much that you’d prefer a life that only revolves around your company’s office and home. Of course, you’d still be willing to travel, but only on official business trips. Some people, especially those who work remotely, are even perfectly happy at home and don’t have the burning desire to explore the world. However, since you’re reading a blog about work-travel balance, then it’s safe to assume that you’re not one of them. If that’s the case, then motivate yourself to travel more.
Motivating yourself to travel more allows you to prioritize getaway trips. This is one of the things that traveler and lawyer Ryan Gibbs always say. That’s why he’s always able to travel despite being kept busy by his duties to clients that need his expertise in real estate law.
How do you do this? First, figure out what’s in traveling that makes you excited. Most people love to travel because of the following reasons:
- Escaping work pressure and life’s daily stressors
- Taking photos of beautiful places around the world
- Meeting new people
- Experiencing other cultures
- Tasting new food recipes
Once you already know what motivates you to visit new places, come up with a list of your dream destinations and put their pictures on your computer screen or anywhere visible. Being motivated to travel gives you the desire to overcome whatever obstacles are holding you back from traveling.
- Plot Your Vacation Trips On Your Calendar Ahead of Time
With careful planning, people who constantly yell at their computer screens in silence because of believing that they don’t have enough time to travel as much as they want would actually be surprised to discover how many travel days they can fit into a year.
Plan out your travels at the start of the year and make sure to consider:
- Weekends: Consider scheduling your trips for the weekends. This is a great way to make sure that work responsibilities and deadlines won’t conflict with your travel time.
Basically, you have to arrange things in a way that you can focus on accomplishing tasks and beating deadlines during the week while getting an enjoyable weekend that you can use to relax and unwind. This will allow you to reach new destinations, experience new things, and make lasting memories before reporting back to work on the following week fresh and recharged.
- National holidays: If you’re not scheduling your travels around local and national holidays, then you’re wasting precious vacation time. Traveling during holidays can be more expensive, but it’s still one of the best ways to balance full-time work and travel. It’s especially true when your off times line up with local and national holidays.
Also, you can have more days for your trip without consuming all your vacation days when you plan well. For example, if Thursday is a public holiday, take Friday off. Add Saturday and Sunday, and you’ll have four days to unwind and temporarily forget all your responsibilities.
Getting everything in line before you board the ship or plane is possible when you plot your vacation trips in advance. You won’t also miss anything important at work and home. Building your plans early also means that you can book flights and accommodations in advance, allowing you to save money that can be spent on souvenirs or expanding your itinerary.
- Build A Reputation And Negotiate At Work
The best way to travel but still work full time is to work hard. Make your boss or superior realize that you’re one of their reliable team members. Then, ask your boss or superior for more days off that you can use to travel. It’s also a good idea to request a temporary, flexible work schedule so you’ll find it easier to balance work and vacations. Don’t be afraid to ask, especially if you’ve done your best for your manager to see that you deserve a break
If you’re allowed to work remotely, you can bring some of your tasks to your dream destination. Make sure, though, that you’ll find a place where there’s a reliable internet connection.
Final Thoughts
It’s possible to work full time while still have the chance to travel by being careful about how you plan and prepare for your trips. Understand what you need to make a getaway possible and be creative in meeting those needs. The ideas we’ve shared here should help you become better at balancing job responsibilities and your desire to experience great things in a new place. Go start planning your next adventure!
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Related Categories: Travel, Reviews, Work
