I am writing this to you from the sunny gold coast, where we are enjoying a much needed family break before the silly season, as it’s affectionately known here in Australia, gets into full swing.
I love breaks like these. When we look back these little holidays are often where our happiest family memories are made as our boys run on the beach free from routine and over indulge in too much ice cream. Nowadays I really enjoy these breaks for what they are, an opportunity for fun and relaxation, rather than using them as an excuse from making decisions in my everyday life.
All too often I speak to friends who are desperately unhappy in their jobs and hear the eerily familiar “I think I am just in need of a break” or the even more frustrating “I’ll look for a new job once I get back from x, y, z exorbitantly expensive, escapist holiday.”
I know how you feel. I’ve been there and I’m here to call bullshit on the excuses because I made them too.
I love holidays as much as the next person and I’ve got a lot of stamps in my passport. But I’ve lost count of the number of times I would tell myself that I was going to think about my career and make some decisions when I was away and then I’d come back having spent too much money and still none the wiser. What would I do to address the situation? Start researching the next holiday …
You see holidays are great but your old life is still waiting for you when you get back. I also know a lot of people who claim that they can’t afford to change careers (another common excuse) but always seem to have the next luxury trip booked.
Am I suggesting a ban on all holidays? No, of course not, but if you’re unhappy in your career and think that taking a holiday is the answer then it might be time to get real and try some of these suggestions instead:
- How about taking a working holiday volunteering for something that is aligned with a career you’re interested in? You could help out at an animal conservation centre in the morning and spend your afternoons lazing by the pool?
- Alternatively you could learn something? It doesn’t have to be related to a future career (although of course it helps if it does) but just doing something new and different from the everyday can take you out of your comfort zone and inspire ideas. Why not try that French cookery course you’ve been dreaming about? Who knows where it could lead?
- Read something inspiring. I’m all in favour of a little bit of chick lit but why not pack a personal development book to give you some inspiration and ideas for when you get home.
- Rest. Sounds obvious but I know a lot of people who are stressed out in their jobs that find it hard to relax, even on holiday. Commit to really switching off. Turn off your phone. Maybe try some meditation and yoga to really help you find stillness.
- Set some goals for when you get back. I don’t want you to spend the whole time in your head thinking about how things are going to be different when you get home – that’s not a holiday. But maybe commit to spending an hour or two journaling about what’s bugging you in your life and career, what you’d love to have in your life instead and commit to 3 actions to take you closer to it when you get home. This could include getting some home improvements underway, working on a health and fitness goal or engaging a coach to help you in your career. Whatever it is write it down on paper and schedule a date for soon after you get home to start working on your actions.
Need some help switching off when you’re on holiday or away from work? Read my recent blog post for some help or contact me for a working mum SOS where we can strategise some solutions to help you stay more present.