| We've all experienced it, especially those working in London and other major cities. Waking up early in the morning, heading to the nearest station and sitting (or more likely standing) on a train for ages, only to be told there are delays and cancellations. By the time you've got to work you are already exhausted and you've not even opened your emails. But there comes a time in many commuters' lives where the 'F' word is said and plans to quit start whirling around inside the head. Those round the world flights get searched for, Google maps gets a workout and the calculator comes out to start working out whether it can be afforded. That's right, that once in a lifetime trip seems to be coming to fruition. But taking that step can be scary. Here's how not to do it... |  Ever wanted to drive across America in a camper van? |
1. Don't.........just quit
Many times a month we sit in our offices, getting more and more stressed, uptight and angry. At our work. At our bosses. At our colleagues. Desperate to jump up, throw down the phone and say those two words we have all dreamed of. "I quit". Sadly, it doesn't work like that, unless you don't need your job. By starting to plan and think about your big trip, researching destinations, gazing at photos, your body releases endorphins, which lift your mood. Just a little something to help you get through the day. Plus you need to plan any big trips financially, and you never know, you may end up coming back and wanting, yes WANTING your job back. Who knows?!
2. Don't.........start mouthing off because you think you're leaving
Another office blunder is once you start thinking about leaving to travel, talking openly about it with your colleagues. If you gently start putting ideas into your colleagues and managers' heads about you possibly, perhaps thinking about going travelling, it's not set in stone and allows you to back out if it turns out you aren't able to go for whatever reason. At the same time, if you are serious about quitting and taking that flight to some exotic, far-flung destination, gradually introducing the idea to people will allow you to subtly get their opinions and there won't be a sudden rush to find a replacement.
Quitting the rat race and going exploring around the world is a dream for many commuters
3. Don't.........think about the trip you want to go on
Whether it's backpacking around Australia, driving a camper van across Europe or helping the vulnerable in Africa, think practically about what you want to see, where you want to go, how you are going to do it and, more importantly, how much it will cost. All too often we just want to quit our jobs and get on the next plane to anywhere, but if you don't have a rough idea of what you want to do, won't the trip be a bit pointless? Do your research and make sure you have a plan, at least to start with. Once you're out and about travelling, you'll be meeting new people left, right and centre and organising your next destination with them.
4. Don't.........plan for the future
If you've quit your job, you probably might not know when you'll be back, however, thinking responsibly, it's always good to have a backup plan. Just in case you end up coming back sooner than you planned (highly unlikely). Discuss with your boss and HR department about the possibility of a sabbatical, or coming back in a year's time, or, dare I say it, working remotely? It's a dream for many and if they love you that much, they may just say yes.
Whether it's backpacking around Australia, driving a camper van across Europe or helping the vulnerable in Africa, think practically about what you want to see, where you want to go, how you are going to do it and, more importantly, how much it will cost. All too often we just want to quit our jobs and get on the next plane to anywhere, but if you don't have a rough idea of what you want to do, won't the trip be a bit pointless? Do your research and make sure you have a plan, at least to start with. Once you're out and about travelling, you'll be meeting new people left, right and centre and organising your next destination with them.
4. Don't.........plan for the future
If you've quit your job, you probably might not know when you'll be back, however, thinking responsibly, it's always good to have a backup plan. Just in case you end up coming back sooner than you planned (highly unlikely). Discuss with your boss and HR department about the possibility of a sabbatical, or coming back in a year's time, or, dare I say it, working remotely? It's a dream for many and if they love you that much, they may just say yes.
| 5. Don't.........just head to the airport without a ticket It's a dream of everyone's. Heading to the airport, passport in hand, backpack full, walking up to the ticket desk and asking for the next flight outta here. It would be lovely wouldn't it. It's better to plan your journey in advance and book your flights ahead of time too. If it's a round the world trip, many airlines offer round the world tickets, allowing you to stop in several destinations. If it's just the one country you will be exploring, have a changeable ticket for if you end up wanting to move on earlier or stay out longer than planned. You could always add a stopover on the return flight just for a little extra holiday before you come crashing back down to Earth with a bump. If you're ready to pack up and leave, Stopovr.com has plenty of information to help you find the right destinations and airlines for your trip. |  |
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