How can I use my career break to change direction?

Fancy something a little different but not sure what? Want to stay in the same job but make some changes? How about a change of direction?

As well as helping you boost your CV and climb the greasy pole in your professional life, career breaks really help you re-focus your life outside of the office. If you’re keen to use your career break to improve your job prospects then take a little look at the 'How can I turn my career break into a new career?’ article in this section for some inspiration. In this piece we want to stress how a career break can lead to a real change in your non-work life too.

We know that not everyone either can or wants to change career. You may have family commitments and financial obligations that make it difficult for you to be adventurous, or you might even just like your job! Well your life could still be enriched by a career break; it’s not just the territory of people who want to change jobs, it has plenty to offer everyone. We’ll have a look at the ways in which a career break could benefit your life and hopefully give you all the inspiration you need to make it happen.

Find a new passion

Work isn’t everything! Just because you’re not looking to change careers doesn’t mean that there aren’t new things out there to discover that will add a little spice to your life. Changing jobs is just one way of taking a new direction in your life, there are plenty of others. Take a look at the different ways in which a career break can benefit you.

Discover volunteering

“My volunteering changed my life. Before I went away I was a lot more selfish and materialistic. The summer I got back I sold my flat and travelled in South America for eight months. Having seen the benefits of volunteering, I realised there was more to life than partying.” Nicola Wheeler.

We all know that there’s more to life than money but sometimes we can do with a little reminder. In fact, Dr Arthur C Brooks, author of 'Who really cares’ has statistical evidence to prove it; in a large study he found that those people who were generous with their time and money were happier than those who weren’t! This is something we’ve known since we started talking to career breakers, but it’s nice to have some support!

Challenge your perceptions

“There was no TV, radio, newspaper and no mobile phone reception. It was bliss. It also made me realise that the things we get wound up about are really not important.” Matt Tamplin

A change is as good as a holiday, but why not have both! Remembering how lucky we are in the West is a realisation that all of us should have once in our lives. Appreciating what you have is much more rewarding than accumulating more things; it’s a satisfaction that will last longer than the latest fashions or the new 'must have’ gadget. Realising too, that other cultures do things differently, think things differently and have very different ways of organising their worlds is probably the most interesting thing about travelling. Keep a journal to remind yourself of the differences because it’ll make great reading when you get back.

Gain confidence

“When you drop your career and go travelling by yourself all other changes seem small! It has given me more confidence and an ability to do what I want rather than being scared of change!” Richard Scrase

“If I can do this I can do anything” pretty much sums up the attitude of the average career breaker! Youngsters have been brought up with the idea of throwing on a backpack and setting off around the world but for those of us who are a little older, it takes some bravery. Successfully navigating yourself around foreign countries and having a great time while you do it blasts away your self-doubt. Realising that you can deal with unfamiliar situations and surroundings means fear of them will no longer bar you from doing new things.

Learn a language

Learning a language is one of the most exciting experiences of all. Whether you use your career break as a spur and take lessons before you leave or learn 'on the job’ when you are out there, it’s well worth the effort. Travelling in countries and speaking the native tongue means you can go places, see things and meet people that were hitherto barred from you. To suddenly have the curtain lifted on a world that up to that point was a secret is a wonderful experience and exposes you to books, cultures, conversations and travelling that will enrich your life. Indeed, a 2004 BBC survey found that learning a second language boosted your earnings and sex appeal!

Useful links

http://www.i-to-i.com/campfire/travel-guides/85-How-can-I-turn-my-career-break-into-a-new-career-

http://www.i-to-i.com/career-break-resources/

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/travel/holiday_type/gap_travel/article4383578.ece

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