The adventure of a lifetime…
My upcoming six month sabbatical:
I have always dreamt of exploring the world. From a young age, I have wanted to experience new cultures, immerse myself in local customs and cuisines and visit iconic landmarks and breath-taking landscapes. And now…my dream is becoming reality – I'm about to embark on a six month sabbatical to travel the world.
January 2024 felt like the right time to take this break as my ‘travel bug’ has now really taken hold. This journey is not about escaping my daily life of investment portfolios, meetings and paperwork to sit on the beach, it is about personal growth, learning, and coming back to my career in financial advising with a fresh perspective.
Preparing for this has involved saving diligently, researching extensively, and creating an itinerary. My journey begins with my backpack, that is twice the size of me, a list of must-visit destinations, and a lot of recommendations. I set out to explore New Zealand, Fiji, Australia, Philippines, Japan and South Korea.j
This is all about trying daring activities like jumping out of an aeroplane in New Zealand, learning the art of Japanese culture, trying authentic new foods, watching the sunrise and sunsets, and snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef, as well as meeting new people, making lifelong friends and stepping out of my comfort zone to venture into new landscapes… I am so excited!
For me, leaving a steady job and the comfort of a routine behind is a little intimidating. I’m sure there will be moments of uncertainty and stress, and the occasional wave of homesickness, but I know all these things will teach me lessons.
For example, adapting to unpredictable situations, such as changing travel plans or unfamiliar environments will increase my problem-solving skills, and first-hand challenges I may come across will give me a profound understanding of risk. I also believe my experiences will build my confidence, patience, independence, and give me a broader perspective of the world, which could improve my ability to empathise and offer more well-rounded financial advice, considering unique backgrounds and aspirations.
I am so grateful to Engage for allowing me to take this time off. I believe this trip is going to be transformative, and I truly appreciate Sam and Stevie’s support and understanding in making it possible. Not only does it demonstrate their trust in me, but also their commitment to the personal and professional growth of the team. They don’t just talk about this, they make it happen.
I look forward to returning to Engage with a renewed sense of purpose and a broader set of skills which I can apply to my work to contribute to the continued success of our team and to benefit clients.
See you on the other side 😊