Have you ever wanted to do something so badly that you felt as if the fire that raged inside of you longed to be released? With every ounce of you, this ravenous passion consumed your every thought. Like the fire that rages for our passions, another fire burns inside of us to seek escape from our sometimes mundane daily tasks. Fortunately for you, your refuge awaits – in the form of travel. We will discuss the advantages to traveling in regards to creativity in just a moment, but first, allow me to share a story.
As a child, a love for astronomy was birthed one afternoon when my mother brought home this blue book, its title not on the cover, but on the side, filled with an endless supply of breath-taking imagery of stars, planets, and galaxies. I truly believe my love for our universe led to a desire to travel the world and experience creation in all its beauty. For the past few years, I have maintained a desire to see the world. The passion I have for travel, I feel, drives me to accomplish many goals I have set out for myself.
These desires we have to travel, to break away from the norm of society, to experience the vastness of creation, I believe are truly natural and afford us the opportunity to recharge our brains. That recharge could lead to your next big idea.
Does travel increase productivity?
Absolutely it does! According to allpsychologycareers.com, “Three out of four executives believe that vacations prevent burnout (78%) or that vacations improve their job performance (75%).” Why is that, you ask? Because according to that same article, “Everyday habits and routines constrain mental thinking.” Imagine being able to wake up late in a gorgeous cabin you’ve rented for the week or weekend. Your boss is not demanding you to complete those aforementioned mundane tasks. He or she is not requiring you to send all those excruciating emails. All you have for that one week, or weekend, are your thoughts, your family, your friends, the beach, the woods – whatever it is that you find peace and joy in doing – that is what you have during your break from work. Your brain is free to wonder. Your hands are free to type or write. Your eyes are free to gaze on something other than your cubicle. That next brilliant idea may very well be birthed during your future adventure.
So, what does that mean for me now?
Traveling affords us the opportunity to recharge, to sit back and relax, to focus on some things we may have been procrastinating about. It affords us the opportunity to embrace our creativity in ways we otherwise would not have been able to.
You don’t necessarily have to spend a whole week away if that is not financially feasible. Let’s go over a few things about taking that next vacation. First, figure out what works best for you and your family. If that means heading down to the local lake and cracking out those old tents you have been storing away for years, then do that. Simply figure out a way to spend time away from home and the routine that life can sometimes become. Also, avoid electronics! We live in a society overrun by smart phones, dumb phones, laptops, gaming consoles, iPads, iPods, Nooks, et cetera. To allow your brain to recharge and think in a new capacity, the electronics have to be left at home. (Take your phone, obviously, in case of emergency.)
I have intentionally made plans to travel as much as possible this upcoming year. Not only so that I can see the world, but so that I can experience the world in ways I have not before.
“Travel, like dreams, is a door that opens from the real world into a world that is yet to be discovered” – Guy de Maupassant
Where do you want to travel? For you, does traveling and taking a break from the norm breed new ideas? If not, what have you found that works? Share below in the comments.
Hi Vincent. I have wanted to travel for as long as I remember. As a matter of fact, I get bored with any town I live in after about five years. We have live in the town I am in for over fifteen years and I am itching to move away! I like adventure and change.
My husband has traveled the world, but I have not traveled far yet. My plans for this year include two conferences so that will not be that restful. Much of my time is traveling to see grandchildren and even great-grandchildren (I was a teen mom) but this year we are going back east in the Fall. Seeing the foliage is a dream of mine. Next year? Who knows. I may start traveling the world like my husband did. I want to see Brussels, Great Britain, France, of course, and Spain. Italy would be nice too. Then maybe I’ll branch out from there. ;o). With what we are doing online, it makes it possible to combine at least a little work at times. But I’m with you…chuck the electronics and get re-inspired!
Linda, thank you for sharing. I’m not sure if your business or where you work is all online, like I think you were hinting towards, but if it is, the industry of online businesses is now more prevalent than ever. Use that to your advantage and make those traveling dreams happen. I follow a blogger called “Nomadic Matt” and he has some amazing advice and tips on how to travel affordably and in a smart manner. http://www.nomadicmatt.com/getting-started/ Check him out!
I have an internal clock that tells me when it is time to get away. My personify is one that hates routine. I know the importance of having ans maintaining a schedule but a large part of me cringes at it.
Several years ago i realized that I needed to take several breaks to just dream. Before I started my business I called my breaks “mommy day off”. The whole point was to break away from the monotony and allow my brain a chance to breathe or dream.
Being in unfamiliar places was essential to my break. I still take those breaks as a business owner because my best ideas come from those times.
I have always wanted to live in a French speaking country for a year. I am actually in the middle of planning a trip for my birthday. I want to see the mountains of Arizona.
Thanks for letting me go on a mental vacation as i read this post.
That’s funny, “mommy day off”! But hey, we all really do need a day or days away from routine. It’s not good for us. I was just telling Linda, in the comments above, about a blogger I follow with expert travel advice for traveling affordably. He not only has amazing advice but he inspires people to actually do and not just say. Check him out! http://www.nomadicmatt.com/getting-started/
Take that break for your birthday and let us know how it goes! 🙂
We need to travel more, Vincent. We would like to visit Australia, England, Israel, France and India within the next 10 years. We want to travel to these places to see the world in a different perspective. Traveling absolutely broadens our horizons and allows us to see the world in a different light. Those are the things that creativity flourishes in. Getting out of normalcy and out of our comfort zone pushes us to fresh ideas. Thanks for this post. Now I want to go somewhere. 🙂
Thanks for sharing that, Adam. You’re so right – traveling does get us out of our comfort zone. I can’t wait to travel the world and live in that type of freedom. With your online business, you should definitely take advantage of traveling to those places you mentioned and send many many pictures! haha. 🙂
I love this post Vincent. I’ve been out traveling the past two weekends and will be heading out of town again tomorrow for a 6 day trip and I’m loving it.
Once my wife and I went back to our college town to visit some friends and watch the big game at a tailgate with some great friends. Talk about refreshing. Last weekend we went to a friend’s wedding in another state and tomorrow we head out to spend the Thanksgiving break with my wife’s family in another state.
Even just traveling within the southeast where we live is refreshing. I love driving through the country and getting out of Atlanta. Too much routine and stress creeps in up here and to get in the car and drive for a few hours while enjoying the beautiful colors of the trees is just what we’ve needed. I’m all for traveling cross country and internationally, but there is something simple and beautiful in a couple hour road trip for even just a day. It helps me get out of my own way and relax and let my mind have some room to stretch and breath and it’s when I’ve done some of my best thinking and writing. I’m with you all the way on this. Great post!
That’s awesome, Daniel. It’s always great taking a break from the norm and being able to spend that time with family and friends. Enjoy your travels and take many pictures!