Category: Work-Life Balance

After 8 Months as a Digital Nomad, Here’s What I’ve Learned

by jsl_web_admin

Written by: Elizabeth McHeffey

 

Having the opportunity to travel, while keeping your career intact is not something that everyone can do, but with more and more jobs relying on technology, the trend is not slowing down. In fact, according to a recent Forbes Article, “7.3 million Americans describe themselves as digital nomads”. This is an “increase of 2.3 million from the previous year”. With the increasing trend, the article quotes that 44% or almost half of nomads are working a traditional job, meaning they are not freelancing or self-employed. With Millennials in the lead, the second largest generation of digital nomads are Baby Boomers (56 – 74 years old), which may be a surprise to some.

 

While being a digital nomad myself, I met people from all demographics. From young bloggers and digital marketers a few years out of college to couples in their 30’s traveling with their toddlers while making a living in Research or IT, to the Baby Boomers in sales, photography, or journalism. Everyone had a unique story to tell and a different timeline on their nomadic lifestyle: some for the summer, some on the road already for years with no plans to end their nomadic lifestyle. One commonality among all was a collective passion for exploration, freedom, nonconformity and unique experiences. However, that freedom must be shared with discipline and hard work to stay on your career path.

 

 

So, after being on the road for eight months, I have a few tips for those considering becoming a digital nomad, or perhaps those that already are and need a little guidance.

 

 

 

Strive for Balance

Balancing your workload with business travel can be a challenge, and the nomadic lifestyle is no different. So, whether you are working 5 hours per week or 25 hours per week, you must be very self-disciplined. Most nomads are moving around all the time and not on a relaxing vacation, so it is important to set aside time daily, weekly or monthly for work. When you are working, make sure to make those hours count and be as productive as possible, so you can spend your other time on the road exploring. Productivity and efficiency are key!

 

 

Prepare for Plans to Change

Unfortunately, with life on the road comes uncertainty. The plan that you had very rarely ends up being the outcome. That is the best part about being a digital nomad: you don’t have a set plan; time is limitless, and your boundaries are endless. But that can cause issues when you need to get your work done or have a strict deadline. WiFi and outlets are not a guarantee! Once leaving the big cities and driving through the winding backroads in the plains, deserts, and mountains, we rarely had WiFi. I relied on coffee shops for internet, but that also meant working during their hours, so if you get to a city at 6PM and they closed at 3PM, you are out of luck. If you are camping off the grid and you are able to use a hotspot to connect to internet, make sure your laptop is fully charged, because there won’t be any outlets at your campsite in the middle of that cornfield in Idaho. When I could, I would try to find shops open late or early in the morning on the weekends. While everyone vacations and sightsees on the weekends, I had the luxury of hiking the flower-blossom covered mountains of Glacier National Park on a Wednesday, while many are working traditional workweeks.

 

 

Set Goals and Communicate

Being a digital nomad is an unmatched opportunity and experience of a lifetime. Set goals for yourself and ask your boss to set goals for you as well. Like many things in life, being a digital nomad is not something that you can truly plan for, so having open communication and an employer that is adaptable to change was a huge part of making my journey successful. Moreover, if you can make it an opportunity for your personal evolution and exploration, coupled with professional growth, while also achieving something for the organization you work for, it will be a win-win from all angles. I am lucky enough to work in the travel and tourism industry and had the opportunity to fulfill a dream while visiting many destinations and clients that we work for along the way.

 

Now I am back in a traditional sense of workspace and workweek, but I am grateful for the experiences digital nomadism has granted me. Hopefully, these tips allow some of you to take a leap of faith to drive through the rugged and desolate Badlands in the VW van of your dreams, roast marshmallows under the moonlight and sleep among thousand-year-old Redwood Trees. And if not, then go after your passion and work towards that goal!

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth McHeffey is our digital nomad. During her travels she’ll be diving into topics and trends surrounding the generations in the workforce, stopping along the way to meet with industry leaders that are making waves and reinventing how we work. What we’re calling, “The Remote Route.”

 

[mkdf_button size=”” type=”” text=”Read more about The Remote Route Here” custom_class=”” icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”” link=”https://searchwideglobal.com/blog-why-searchwide-global-has-one-millennial-employee-embarking-on-a-digital-nomad-lifestyle/” target=”_self” color=”” hover_color=”” background_color=”” hover_background_color=”” border_color=”” hover_border_color=”” font_size=”” font_weight=”” margin=””]

 

SearchWide Global is a full-service executive search firm primarily for companies in Destination Organizations / Hotels & Resorts / Venue Management / Experiential Marketing, Tradeshow & Exhibition / Industry Associations / Sports & Entertainment. Specializing in C-Level and Director level executive searches for companies ranging in size from Fortune 500 corporations to mid-sized public and private companies and associations. Founded in 1999, SearchWide Global headquartered in St. Paul, MN, USA and operates worldwide.

 

 

 

Work-Life Balance

by jsl_web_admin

Written by: Elizabeth McHeffey

 

“Work-life balance” has been an ongoing discussion ever since the digital age revolutionized our ability to remain connected, and it is a concept that Millennials and GenerationZ prioritize. The term “work-life balance” is a bit unfitting in my opinion, in that it would imply that there is a perfectly even distribution or a trade-off of both work and life. As Gary Sherwin with Visit Newport Beach says:

 

“The term work-life balance is challenging…it is all LIFE!”

 

And he is right: it is all life. Instead, my colleagues, peers, clients, and friends tend to prefer work-life harmony, work-life immersion and work-life flow. And the ultimate goal of this harmony is to make your career and professional life blend effortlessly with your personal life. Because at the end of the day, it is all life! Let’s take a dive into the evolving workplace within our travel and tourism industry and see what types of initiatives organizations are offering surrounding this topic.

 

 

Flexible Work Hours

 

Work flexibility in the past meant coming in late for the occasional doctor’s appointment or because you had to bring your kids into school, but this has been redefined in recent years. Millennials and GenZ-ers are looking for less compartmentalized and traditional work hours and more fluidity. Maybe Alisha, is just not a morning person. Or maybe she wants to ski that morning and come to the office from 12-8. Or maybe she wants to go out to lunch and take a yoga class midday to re-center. Why? To gain the work-life flow that she is craving.

 

Companies like Visit Newport Beach, Visit Wichita and others have initiated 9/80 workweeks and are prioritizing flexibility. Colleen Costello with Visit Newport Beach talked to me about how her office works an hour longer each day to allow for every other Friday off. She shares that this elevates productivity in her personal life when she has the days off and her professional life when she is in the office.

 

“It frees up your life in a way that you didn’t know you needed. Those Fridays, both of them, end up being your most productive days of the week.”

 

Susie Santo with Visit Wichita explains, “As far as set hours, there is a lot of flexibility amongst our staff. They do not need to be 8-5 at their desks.” She continues, “I really looked at what are the barriers that would prohibit one of my employees from being the healthiest and best they can be. Is it time? How do we create a more flexible workspace? Really trying to instill that ‘Okay, you can get up and work out if you want to work out in the middle of the day’. Or trying to be more mindful around scheduling meetings and people working out in the morning.”

 

It is certainly a paradigm shift in traditional thinking, but according to this Forbes article, working untraditional workweeks or workhours can ultimately benefit the company. The survey results reveal that only “7% of workers say that they were most productive in the office during regular hours.” I don’t know about you, but that number is shockingly low to me. Of course, flexibility is not feasible for all industries or positions, but for those that it is, companies may want to reconsider work schedules to allow for work-life immersion and to encourage employees to work around their productivity peaks. Win-win for all!

 

 

Flexible Workplace

 

Piggybacking off of the previous section, flexibility in where you work is also a big factor surrounding that harmony of work and life. Whether you are simply working remote on Fridays or you are a full-time digital nomad, flexibility in the workplace is important to many I have chatted with. According to this Article, over 4.8 million Americans consider themselves digital nomads and 17 million are aspiring to one day be ‘nomadic’. This number may be a bit inflated and could include part-time remote workers, but either way it is a high number that does not look to be slowing down.

 

Personally, having the ability to engage in the digital nomad lifestyle has been a life-changing experience. It has been an opportunity to remain with my company and continue on my career trajectory, while fulfilling a personal passion to explore North America. In my experience, it has allowed me to have freedom and flexibility, inspiration, an active and healthy lifestyle, all while immersing myself in the diversity of our nation, growing my network and meeting people from all walks of life. Traveling while working absolutely puts an emphasis on productivity during those hours that you are working because you don’t know if Wi-Fi will grant you the ability to finish a project tomorrow. All in all, it blurs those lines of work and life more so than I have experienced in the past, creating a unique flow.

 

 

Evolving Benefits

 

Other ways that Millennials and GenZ-ers look to companies to provide improved work-life immersion are through benefits programs. Many organizations, such as non-profit Destination Marketing Organizations, are sometimes simply not able to offer extremely high salaries. So, some companies, like Visit Philadelphia, are listening to what Millennials and GenerationZ want and increasing paid days off to make their entire package more enticing and make their employees happy.

 

Erica Shurmur, Sports Coordinator with Visit Philadelphia says, “We all get a lot of PTO. They are doing a really good job making us all happy and keeping us happy with things that are not our salary.”

 

Other companies, like mine here at SearchWide Global, are listening to our generation and our desire to have a fulfilling and rewarding component to our lives. A more modern benefit is offering paid volunteer days, dubbed by many as “VTO” or volunteering day off. This allows employees to feel fulfilled personally without stressing about finding the time to volunteer after hours or need to take a vacation or personal day.

 

Another rising trend that aids in that harmonious relationship between work and life is family benefits. With Millennials currently between the age of 23 and 38, many have a family or are beginning to think about starting a family, so having comprehensive family benefits are a rising priority. According to this Forbes article, Dow Jones offers family-friendly benefits such as maternity leave, return-to-work benefits, parental educational counseling, and on-site daycare.

 

 

Lifestyle Support

 

Unfortunately, a lot of individuals that work within the hospitality industry just don’t have an option to work remotely and are instead working on-property at a hotel or restaurant, working long workdays. But this isn’t stopping some companies from bringing lifestyle support into the workplace and improving the work-life flow experience.

 

The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise being a resort property in a fairly remote location, many of their employees live in on-site staff accommodations. They have an employee devoted solely to investing in their colleagues and making their environment more supportive, malleable, integrative and fun. The Lifestyles Manager coordinates events such as white-water rafting, oversees their in-house employee gym membership program and their rental program, where employees can rent anything from bear spray to paddleboard to tents. He hosts events such as trivia night and paint night and encourages colleagues to sit down with Benefits Advisors to make sure they are taking full advantage of all benefits offered. They put a strong emphasis on improving employees’ lifestyle experience, bringing things into the office and allowing easier accessibility outside of the office.

 

“One thing that we do here, that is unique to our property, and that is recently picking up in our region is we have a program and a manager that is dedicated just to our colleagues’ lifestyles. They are called a Lifestyle Manager [Chris], and his sole job is to create the best possible experience for our colleagues.” Rebecca Kistner, Assistant Director of Talent & Culture explains. She continues, “His whole job is ensuring we have enough work-life balance, especially given the environment we are in….His events and programs are focused on well-being. Chris is taking a holistic approach on well-being; not just looking at the physical well-being, but the mental well-being. Ensuring that colleagues are utilizing their benefits and are aware of all our programs that we have available to them. Taking it as far as financial well-being – are colleagues aware of our pension program? He is taking a holistic strategy on well-being in general.”

 

Visit Wichita echoes the 360-degree lifestyle support approach by bringing those initiatives into the office, knowing that time is valuable to their employees outside of the office. Susie Santo explains,

 

“One of our big pieces that taps into wellness is that we have hired Life Coaches. We have a Life Coach that comes in twice a month and the team can sit down with them confidentially.” Employees have the opportunity to speak with this person during office hours about any goals, personal or professional, that they are looking to achieve; something that many would get too busy to do outside of work.

 

In closing, the immersion of work and your life outside of work is an everchanging and dynamic concept, that no doubt will continue to grow and evolve over time. Companies should continue to be forward-thinking and openminded about the immersion and blend of work and life and see how to make small, incremental improvements that work in today’s modern society. No need to make huge waves but start with small ripples and go from there. I’ll leave you with this last quote from Casey Adams Jones, Corporate Communications Manager, with Visit Philadelphia:

 

“As Millennials and Gen-Zers become more conscious about the importance of mental health, we are looking for organizations who encourage work-life flow. I say flow because the concept of balancing work and life, and even relying on the two to be “balanced” is not achievable for most. Pressures from work and life fluctuate. Instead of focusing on how to balance the two, it’s more effective to embrace that there will be a flow in life where work is more hectic than life and vice versa. There will also be moments where the two are coming full force. For this reason, our generations are attracted to employers who support us whether it be through offerings such as a flexible work schedule, working remotely, or a generous amount of paid time off.”

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth McHeffey is our digital nomad. During her travels she’ll be diving into topics and trends surrounding the generations in the workforce, stopping along the way to meet with industry leaders that are making waves and reinventing how we work. What we’re calling, “The Remote Route.”

 

[mkdf_button size=”” type=”” text=”Read more about The Remote Route Here” custom_class=”” icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”” link=”https://searchwideglobal.com/blog-why-searchwide-global-has-one-millennial-employee-embarking-on-a-digital-nomad-lifestyle/” target=”_self” color=”” hover_color=”” background_color=”” hover_background_color=”” border_color=”” hover_border_color=”” font_size=”” font_weight=”” margin=””]

 

SearchWide Global is a full-service executive search firm primarily for companies in Destination Organizations / Hotels & Resorts / Venue Management / Experiential Marketing, Tradeshow & Exhibition / Industry Associations / Sports & Entertainment. Specializing in C-Level and Director level executive searches for companies ranging in size from Fortune 500 corporations to mid-sized public and private companies and associations. Founded in 1999, SearchWide Global headquartered in St. Paul, MN, USA and operates worldwide.

 

 

 

Behind the Term Millennial

by jsl_web_admin

Written by: Elizabeth McHeffey

 

Google the word Millennial and you will come back with an endless flurry of articles written about “how to deal with Millennials”, “how to manage Millennials in the workplace”, or “how to interact with Millennials”. Entitled, job hoppers, self-centered, easily distracted, and need constant praise are frequent adjectives listed. So, I set out on a quest to talk to tourism and travel industry Millennials about these stereotypes and what has shaped us, while also meeting with industry leaders within the GenerationX and Baby Boomer generations to see what the generation gap looks like to them.

 

To start, lets define the term Millennial. According to Pew Research Center, Millennials are defined as individuals born between 1981 and 1996 – or currently ages 23 to 38. And when talking with my peers, they agreed that they don’t jump for joy over the term that blankets our generation.

 

Maranda Tippin with the San Diego Tourism Authority says, “There is an unfortunate negative connotation, entitlement, and all of those aspects to [the term] Millennial that I always feel that I have to overcome when people know my age. You call me a Millennial and I take it negatively.”

 

Kylie Leslie with Visit Phoenix is in agreeance with Maranda, saying, “I think it is an interesting term because it is one that I think can have a negative connotation because people think of Millennials of not having great communication skills, always on their phones… But it has been gotten to a point now where the term has been used so much that people are realizing that not every millennial is the same. It is also such a big age gap. We are such a diverse generation.”

 

Let’s first dive into what shapes a generation – a big piece of the puzzle is the influence of environmental and economic factors. And arguably the biggest environmental factor that attributes to characteristics of the Millennial generation is technology.

 

We are the first generation that has largely grown up with computers and cell phones. This has not only created an ease of accessibility to resources but also an emphasis on efficiencies, data collection and analysis. We have the ability to Google ‘top visited cities in the United States’ and the answer will pull up in a millisecond. No need to comb through encyclopedias for hours at the library. We use and analyze data to streamline processes and make improvements – whether it is looking at your insight statistics on your personal Instagram account or improving SEO for your company.

 

Kimber Tabscott with Monterey Convention and Visitors Bureau points out that, “Data is a key word for our generation. It is something that has really fueled the whole generation. Everything has research and data behind it – it’s at the tip of our fingers, we aren’t spending hours at the library reading books and finding what we need – it’s available at the snap of a finger – and of course there is a [generational] gap. That’s a huge thing, so for the generations that have not embraced that it is going to cause a fissure.”

 

With answers at our fingertips, we have gotten accustomed to speed, which most likely leads to the stereotype of being easily distracted and having shorter attention spans. However, the positive side to this is that multitasking comes natural to Millennials. We are the generation that can easily sit in an overcrowded coffee shop with the hum of voices and revolving door of customers’ orders being shouted, while participating on a work conference call, texting back our clients, and going through emails.

 

Kylie with Visit Phoenix says, “We have shorter attention spans than others because we are so used to multitasking. I think most Millennials have a good work ethic because we are so used to doing things at the same time and being pulled into different directions. And that can be a strength for a lot of us because we don’t need complete silence to focus. We are able to focus in different environments – remote places and different work hours — and that is why we are interested in flexibility in the workplace.”

 

We communicate and collaborate openly. We have grown up using AOL Instant Messenger, texting, Gchat, Facetime and feel completely comfortable sharing personal pictures on Facebook and Instagram – always connected to our peers. TV shows have become much more open and less censored than previous generations, as have conversations on topics such as politics, sexual orientation and inequality in the workplace.

 

Randi Morritt with Visit Aurora says, “We are a generation of communicators. We will tell you about our dog, share all of our personal pictures, tell you where we live — we will tell the world everything.”

 

From an economic perspective, Millennials are faced with a great deal of debt compared to previous generations. According to this Forbes Article, the cost for a four-year degree has doubled from 1989 to 2016, even after inflation. Further, the average annual growth in wages was only 0.3% between 1989 and 2016. Concluding that the cost to attend a university increased nearly eight times faster than wages.

 

While some may say that we are job-hoppers, many Millennials might say that we have to stay on the grind and are entrepreneurial-minded. Having a “side hustle” such as an Etsy Shop or selling beauty products is not out of the norm for us. Once again, emphasizing the multitasker attribute.

 

Gina Archuleta with Monterey Convention and Visitors Bureau points out that, “We are super scrappy. Salaries haven’t really risen over time with inflation. You can’t support a household on one income anymore — you need two incomes. It is not an option to be a stay-at-home-Mom anymore. A lot of people think that Millennials are too out there or too creative, but we have to be with so many barriers. We just have to go for it because we don’t have another choice.”

 

So, are the stereotypes true about Millennials? I think it depends which way you look at it. It is important to remember that although entire generations can have similar qualities due to certain environmental or economic factors, each person needs to be treated as an individual. And in talking with senior leaders in the industry, they accentuate this notion.

 

Margie Sitton with the San Diego Tourism Authority says, “I guess I’m pretty simplistic. We have a lot of Millennials in this [Sales] Department and I find them to be hardworking, on time, and not as whiny as everyone claims they are – so I don’t look at them as a problem. We are in a business community and have a diverse group of people – guys, gals, straight, gay, all different generations – with a commonality that they just love this industry.”

 

Rachel Benedick with Visit Denver shares, “If you understand what shaped a generation or what shaped the parents of a generation, then you are going to understand the products of those generations. That is what you have to do as a leader. It is my job to understand each individual person and when you figure that out, it is really empowering. You can’t manage every person the same.” She continues, “You have to invest in and understand your people.”

 

Bottom Line: Each generation has similar behaviors or attributes that they may share due to the factors that they have grown up with. Furthermore, all generations that are just entering the workforce may be faced with larger scrutiny and overgeneralizations than those that are established in the workforce. It is important to take note of the factors that have shaped each generation, while not painting Millennials with one brush. By doing so would encourage a disconnect rather than a collaboration, and a lack of change rather than a larger creative growth. The great news is that industry leaders that I spoke with already do view their team as individuals, encouraging diversity, development, and individuality.

 

So, are Millennials old news? In the coming years, the conversation will be shifting to GenerationZ.

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth McHeffey is our digital nomad. During her travels she’ll be diving into topics and trends surrounding the generations in the workforce, stopping along the way to meet with industry leaders that are making waves and reinventing how we work. What we’re calling, “The Remote Route.”

 

[mkdf_button size=”” type=”” text=”Read more about The Remote Route Here” custom_class=”” icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”” link=”https://searchwideglobal.com/blog-why-searchwide-global-has-one-millennial-employee-embarking-on-a-digital-nomad-lifestyle/” target=”_self” color=”” hover_color=”” background_color=”” hover_background_color=”” border_color=”” hover_border_color=”” font_size=”” font_weight=”” margin=””]

 

SearchWide Global is a full-service executive search firm primarily for companies in Destination Organizations / Hotels & Resorts / Venue Management / Experiential Marketing, Tradeshow & Exhibition / Industry Associations / Sports & Entertainment. Specializing in C-Level and Director level executive searches for companies ranging in size from Fortune 500 corporations to mid-sized public and private companies and associations. Founded in 1999, SearchWide Global headquartered in St. Paul, MN, USA and operates worldwide.

 

 

 

The Rise of Millennial Travel

by jsl_web_admin

Written by: Elizabeth McHeffey

 

While meeting with Millennials in different destinations across the U.S., just about all have placed a true prioritization on their passion for travel. With booking apps at our fingertips and social media influencers parading dreamy images of mosaiced mosques and fields of wildflowers, it’s no wonder that my peers and I have been coined the ‘wanderlust generation’. It is a part of our identity, our growth and self-discovery, and is much more than an annual all-inclusive, never-leave-the-resort vacation. Taking a spontaneous weekend ski trip is not out of the ordinary, and neither is a backpacking trek through the Himalayas.

 

 

We are traveling more than past generations – case in point, I’m currently exploring the country as a digital nomad.

 

In fact, according to an article published on Skift.com, Millennials are traveling an average of 35 days annually, while Generation X travels just 26 days, which equates to 34% generational difference.

 

We are also spending the most on travel compared to all other generations – $200 billion annually per Forbes. Moreover, our generation is blurring the lines of business and leisure travel, extending the short business trip that our other-generation colleagues are eager to hop on a same-day return flight from. Conference in Boise? I think I will stay an extra two nights to search for the natural hot springs in the region.

 

 

Why so? The digital age has been a great motivator. With the ability to book a flight on your smartphone in seconds, WiFi accessibility in even the most remote places (always connected!), and the influx of wanderlust social media influencers – it makes it hard to not get bit by the travel bug.

 

 

“Travel is so easily done, it’s in your face, travel is at our fingertips as a Millennial. I think that’s why we are more inclined to take a vacation, to take a month off and go backpack through Europe. The previous generations didn’t have the ‘in your face’, ‘this is available to you’ marketing. They probably didn’t know ‘oh, I could go skydiving this weekend’ or ‘I could go hiking through the forest’ or ‘I can visit the Amazon’. For us, we think, ‘that could be my vacation in two months!’” says Nani Almanza, Visitor Services Manager with Visit Monterey.

 

 

Additionally, Millennials are earning 20% less than Baby Boomers did at the same stage of life, according to this USA Today article. Coupled with much higher student debt and other contributing factors, many Millennials have adopted “live in the moment” or “bucket list” mentalities.

 

 

Randi Morritt, Director of Marketing with Visit Aurora and I talked about some of the travel patterns of our generation. “Many individuals in our generation [Millennials] feel financially burdened by significant student debt, and there’s data that supports the cost of higher education is greater now than ever before which is a shift from previous generations. With new headlines about Millennials ‘killing’ a new industry every day, I think we get a bad rep for holding off purchasing a first home or a new car. Instead of hurrying towards those larger financial goals, a travel goal can be achieved on a smaller scale that is more financially attainable.” She continues, “Millennials are choosing to travel and take part in unique experiences. We are a culture that collects moments rather than things.” Buy a house or experience the rich history of Savannah? Millennials have been choosing the latter.

 

 

For employers, it is important to realize that this generation and (more likely than not) future generations highly prioritize travel. Discussed in the previous blog post, Millennials look for flexibility and paid time off in an employer and may be more likely to negotiate PTO or remote workdays over salary increases. When meeting with the senior leaders of Visit Denver, we talked about their organization and how they have evolved and are continuously open to new ways of thinking, influenced by all their generations in the workforce.

 

 

Rachel Benedick, VP of Sales and Services says, “It is important, understanding over the years, the priorities of the younger generations. [Millennials prioritize] flexibility and time off….and they will take time off over money any day of the week.” Richard Scharf, President & CEO, emphasizes, “Especially in Colorado!” Rachel continues, “Our people take all of their vacation, they take every bit of it. And they go and they do things.” They have team members going to faraway places like Japan, Israel and Vietnam and have noticed that their Millennials are taking all their paid days off. Joking that it is a big contrast to them, who have more vacation time than they know what to do with.

 

And Millennials don’t just want to see a destination, they want to be immersed in it. We are travelers, not tourists, and desire to taste authentic cuisine and stay in historic neighborhoods, rather than Times Square-esque locations or cram onto a tour bus as outsiders gazing in. We want to collect memories to share with our peers, connect with locals and learn from our experiential explorations. Whether it be an Anthony Bourdain-inspired foodie trip, socially conscious opportunity to give back, or a spiritual retreat in Sedona, we want originality and authenticity. We want a curated, unique experience, a storyline, a central concept. The more that a destination can do so, the more likely we are going to be on a plane, train, car, bike or hovercraft to get there.

 

 

 “We are kind of looking for more out of the norm out of our lives. We are traveling more, we are seeing more of the world, we are experiencing more.” shares Kylie Leslie, Destination Experience Designer with Visit Phoenix.

 

 

 

 

Elizabeth McHeffey is our digital nomad. During her travels she’ll be diving into topics and trends surrounding the generations in the workforce, stopping along the way to meet with industry leaders that are making waves and reinventing how we work. What we’re calling, “The Remote Route.”

 

[mkdf_button size=”” type=”” text=”Read more about The Remote Route Here” custom_class=”” icon_pack=”font_awesome” fa_icon=”” link=”https://searchwideglobal.com/blog-why-searchwide-global-has-one-millennial-employee-embarking-on-a-digital-nomad-lifestyle/” target=”_self” color=”” hover_color=”” background_color=”” hover_background_color=”” border_color=”” hover_border_color=”” font_size=”” font_weight=”” margin=””]

 

 

 

SearchWide Global is a full-service executive search firm primarily for companies in Destination Organizations / Hotels & Resorts / Venue Management / Experiential Marketing, Tradeshow & Exhibition / Industry Associations / Sports & Entertainment. Specializing in C-Level and Director level executive searches for companies ranging in size from Fortune 500 corporations to mid-sized public and private companies and associations. Founded in 1999, SearchWide Global headquartered in St. Paul, MN, USA and operates worldwide.

 

Why SearchWide Global Has One Millennial Team Member Embarking On A Digital Nomad Lifestyle

by jsl_web_admin

A team member of SearchWide Global recently made the decision to embark on a travel sabbatical, traveling throughout the U.S. for eight months in hopes that she could remain with the company throughout her journey.

 

Mike Gamble, President and CEO, SearchWide Global shared, “When Elizabeth approached me about this idea, I immediately thought she was calling to resign. One minute into the conversation, she actually said, ‘I am not quitting.’ Relieved, I thought, ‘well what is it then?’

 

This idea was an easy “yes” for me. How could we not support one of our young leaders who has a passion for travel and giving back? We also knew that it was 100% better to explore an alternative work structure for 8 or 9 months than lose a high-value team member forever. Lastly, what a great opportunity to practice what we preach. The workforce is ever-changing and the only way to grow as an organization is to evolve with it. The needs and wants of the younger generations in the workforce should intrigue us all and we felt like we owed it to ourselves and our clients to better understand what drives them.”

 

The decision has been a very exciting one, sparking questions and discussions within our internal team on the remote or newly-coined “digital nomad” lifestyle.

 

“My passion for travel led me to a career in the tourism industry and ultimately led me to the decision to travel the country. It was always something I knew I wanted to experience and personally, the timing was right. Professionally, I had no idea how this would be received and if it was a possibility. And believe me, I feel very fortunate that Mike and the SearchWide Global team were so receptive to supporting me on this decision and journey,” said Elizabeth McHeffey, Recruiting and Research Manager, SearchWide Global.

 

This Article and Video posted on LinkedIn about 2 months ago is a great, quick watch if you missed it. Yoav Gery is the President of Selina, a network of locations across the globe that offers accommodations, libraries and co-working spaces with reliable internet and quiet areas. They even arrange experiences in surrounding areas, and probably most importantly offer a community that brings like-minded “digital nomads” together. Think WeWork meets a Hotel. Although the remote, traveling lifestyle is typically viewed as a Millennial mindset and desire, Yoav talks about how it resonates across different generations in the workforce. Digital nomads can vary from individuals that dedicate their lives to traveling, as well as others that have traditional jobs that want to “keep life in play”, continue on their career trajectory and growth while getting to explore the U.S. or the world.

 

In a Forbes Article titled ‘Digital Nomadism Goes Mainstream’, they share the statistic that “4.8 million Americans described themselves as digital nomads. Among traditional U.S. workers, 27% said they “might” become digital nomads in the next 2-3 years, and 11% said they planned to.”

 

“It’s important to recognize that the way we work is changing, and that remote, dispersed work, including digital nomadism, will only continue to grow in the future.”

 

“The trend shows no signs of slowing down, with more people valuing their lifestyle and companies offering increased flexibility to attract and retain workers. “Aging Baby Boomers will continue to ‘unretire’ and work past the traditional retirement age,” the report notes. “Millennials will continue to flock to this lifestyle, inspired by the opportunity to pursue their travel interests while working. And older Gen Exers are reaching the stage where traveling while working is becoming more viable.”

 

With our highly connected and “always on” society due to access to WiFi and cloud-based programs almost anywhere, employees working outside of the traditional office setting will continue to grow. Work-life immersion, or combining professional and personal passions, all go hand-in-hand with the digital nomad movement. It will be important for employers across all industries to embrace this in the hiring and retaining of employees across the generations of our workforce. It also poses an intriguing question within the travel and tourism space – could this digital nomad lifestyle begin to blur the lines of business versus leisure travel in the future?

 

During this eight-month journey, we’ll be diving into these topics and trends, along with topics surrounding the generations in the workforce, stopping along the way to meet with industry leaders that are making waves and reinventing how we work. What we’re calling, “The Remote Route.”

If you and/or your organization would like to tell us what you’re doing as it relates to these topics, or to learn more, contact us at info@searchwideglobal.com.

Click to download PDF

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SearchWide Global is a full-service executive search firm primarily for companies in Destination Organizations / Hotels & Resorts / Venue Management / Experiential Marketing, Tradeshow & Exhibition / Industry Associations / Sports & Entertainment. Specializing in C-Level and Director level executive searches for companies ranging in size from Fortune 500 corporations to mid-sized public and private companies and associations. Founded in 1999, SearchWide Global headquartered in St. Paul, MN, USA and operates worldwide.

How to Stay Healthy During the Holiday Season

by jsl_web_admin

Written by: Kara Ryan

 

Winter is coming! With the colder weather comes those festive holiday snacks that contribute to us packing on a few pounds. Those sneaky calories leave us feeling sluggish going into the new-year. This is the time of year where baked goods and sweets are abundant at the office, at home, and while traveling.

 

Is there a way to stay healthy during the holidays and avoid the bulge? Instead of making a New Year’s resolution (yet again) to exercise more, eat healthier, and lose weight.

 

Here are some tried and true tips to stay healthy during the holiday season.

 

Lemon Water in the Morning

As soon as you wake, pour yourself an 8-16 oz. glass of water and squeeze half a lemon in it. If you’re traveling and don’t have easy access to lemon, that’s okay, a large glass of water in the morning brings benefits. Drink your morning water hot, room temperature, or cold; whatever you prefer.

 

The morning glass of water rehydrates you from the night before, kick starts your digestive system for the day, and the lemon offers vitamins and minerals that have been proven to help lose weight and decrease appetite.  Lemons are packed full of vitamin C, beneficial for your immune system during cold and flu season. Make sure you drink all of your water before your morning cup of joe or breakfast.

 

Read more benefits of drinking lemon water here.

 

Snack Throughout the Day

Snacking helps you to not over-indulge on unhealthy foods, which we tend to do when we are hungry. Keep fresh fruit on hand, perhaps apples and bananas. They go great with a small portion of peanut butter and take little preparation. Trail mix is another great snack option, but watch out, it can pack those sneaky calories (definitely read the label). You can easily make your own trail mix from raw or roasted nuts and some dried fruit that doesn’t contain added sugars. Carrots, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and celery are easy and a pair partner with hummus. Energy bites take a bit of preparation, but store nicely in the freezer. Here are eight variations to make.

 

Track Your Sweets

What would the holidays be if you couldn’t have seasonal baked goods or fancy flavored lattes? If you have that willpower, go you! If not, allow yourself a limited number of sweets treats or cheats a week. Keep track of them so you don’t go over your weekly limit and watch overindulging.

 

Keep on Moving

If you currently have an exercise program, stick to it and if you don’t yet have a plan, get one going! Some people prefer going to the gym when it starts getting too cold outside. There are plenty of fitness studios or classes offered at most gyms. Give one a try! Most studios offer your first class free. Spin class is fantastic cardio, yoga is great for strengthening and flexibility, barre is a low impact exercise that helps tone the whole body. All exercise is proven to reduce stress and increase energy! While traveling, there are a variety of apps that offer “no equipment needed” exercises and some hotels are offering unique fitness offerings and clothing rentals. Make sure to ask and give it a try.

 

Make it a Group Effort

It’s lonely being healthy and feeling great all by yourself. Enlist some of your coworkers, friend, and family to join you this holiday season in staying healthy. It’s great to share a healthy meal or go get a salad with a coworker during the week to stay on track. Friends make awesome workout buddies and will love checking out that spin class with you. Your family will love trying some healthier recipes together over the holiday season.

 

Take Time Off

We know being healthy isn’t all about eating right and exercising. Taking time out for you is beneficial for your health as well. Project Time Off says that people who take time off work are more productive, positive, have improved mental and physical health, and overall are happier. So use your time off, spend it with your loved ones and dedicate time doing what you love.

 

Unplug

This is one of the hardest things to do in the always-connected world we live in today. Maybe a nature hike, a good book, or a scenic drive does the trick for you to fully unplug. It doesn’t have to be a huge effort, simply being mindful to enjoy your cup of coffee with two hands without scrolling through your phone will do wonders for you. The Calm app can help you create a habit of being more mindful with daily meditations, calming music, and sleep stories.

 

Unplug, recharge, and go into 2019 a happier, healthier, you.

 

 

READ MORE: On Work-Life Balance

 

 

SearchWide Global is a full service executive search firm primarily for companies in Destination Organizations / Hotels & Resorts / Venue Management / Experiential Marketing, Tradeshow & Exhibition / Industry Associations / Sports & Entertainment. Specializing in C-Level and Director level executive searches for companies ranging in size from Fortune 500 corporations to mid-sized public and private companies and associations. Founded in 1999, SearchWide Global headquartered in St. Paul, MN, USA and operates worldwide.

Superfood Recipes for a Healthier You

by jsl_web_admin

Whether you are striving to become a healthier version of yourself, or maintaining good health, these recipes are fantastic to have on hand. They are full of nutrients for your body,  taste delicious, and easy to make. Feel free to modify ingredients due to preferences or allergies.

 

At SearchWide Global, our staff is dedicated to creating a healthy lifestyle for ourselves at home, in the office, and while traveling. We’ve founded the Take Carra (Yourself) program in honor of our friend and colleague, Jim Carra. Not only do we believe in it, but we believe there is a need for it within our industry. Many professionals we work with as clients and candidates struggle with health and wellness due to demands of the job, such as; traveling, working long hours, attending networking events, and so on. We want to support and encourage everyone we work with to “Take Carra” themselves.

 

So please, enjoy these recipes and feel free to print them, share them, gift them, or save them to your phone.

 

A healthy choice a day leads to creating healthy habits.

 

 

 

SearchWide Global is a full service executive search firm primarily for companies in Destination Organizations / Hotels & Resorts / Venue Management / Experiential Marketing, Tradeshow & Exhibition / Industry Associations / Sports & Entertainment. Specializing in C-Level and Director level executive searches for companies ranging in size from Fortune 500 corporations to mid-sized public and private companies and associations. Founded in 1999, SearchWide Global headquartered in St. Paul, MN, USA and operates worldwide.

Mastering the Mid-Day Workout

by jsl_web_admin

Tips and tricks to help you squeeze in your exercise routine during work hours.

 

Life seems to buzz by with our busy schedules. We are all juggling careers, family, personal lives, and often blending it all together. Chances are you have health and fitness goals, but it may be challenging to find the time it truly takes to dedicate to living a healthy lifestyle. If you have the time to exercise in the early morning or evening you may not have the energy. That’s where the mid-day workout is a great option!

 

Why should you give the mid-day workout a try?

  • Your energy level is likely high in the late morning and around lunchtime.
  • Provides a mental health break from the office and reduces stress.
  • Increases productivity for the remainder of the day.
  • Frees up your mornings and evenings (more on maximizing this time below).
  • Time to think. Don’t check emails, texts or talk on the phone. Use the time to think, pray, reflect and be thankful. Listen to a podcast, Ted Talk or a sermon instead of music. You might find it peaceful and invigorating.
  • A time to socialize. This is an opportunity to meet people from different walks of life at the gym you attend. They’ll make fantastic workout buddies as time goes on.

 

Here are some tried and true tips to help you master the mid-day workout.

 

In a word, Preparation. The true key to succeeding at this routine is preparing for your day. Follow the steps below and you’ll be armed and ready to conquer your health and fitness goals during your work day!

 

  1. Meal Prep

Most likely you’ll be working out during your lunch hour, so you’ll be eating at your desk when you return. Spend some time on the weekend or evenings finding recipes, planning your meals, grocery shopping and preparing your lunches for the week ahead. Assemble them either for the entire week or each night, you’ll quickly find out which way you prefer. We find it easiest if the meals don’t require assembly or heating to eat, as even those few minutes can be spent maximizing your workout. Salads work great to grab and eat.

 

Here are some lunch recipes that don’t require any heating:

20 Vegan Packed Lunch Recipes

38 No-Heat Lunches to Bring to Work

 

Maybe you follow a specific diet, if so, just Google (or use Pinterest) to search your ideal diet followed by the term “meal prep” or “lunches”.

 

Examples:

  • Vegetarian meal prep
  • Paleo meal prep
  • Low calorie lunches
  • Gluten free no-heat lunches
  • Salad meal prep

 

There you will find endless suggestions to help you succeed and love the food you’re eating. Healthy does not need to be boring.

 

Don’t forget your pre-workout snack. To maximize results eat it 30 minutes to an hour before your workout. Some quick go-to (and super easy) snacks might be a piece of fruit, a hand full of nuts, or a granola bar or protein bar.

 

  1. Gym Bag

This bag should be packed and ready as you leave for work in the morning. You’ll need your exercise essentials and toiletries to freshen up before returning to work.

 

Your bag might include:

  • Workout clothes
  • Socks
  • Sneakers
  • Towel
  • Water bottle
  • Hair tie
  • Deodorant
  • Hairbrush or comb
  • Makeup
  • Dry shampoo
  • Or any other toiletries that are part of your routine.

 

*Extra Tip: For long hair, instead of wearing a ponytail or bun during a workout, go for a braid. It will keep the hair out of your face and is easier to touch up and return to work.

 

Save time by wearing yoga pants that double as dress pants! Perfect for traveling and avoiding wrinkles too.

 

  1. Time Management

You have one hour, that’s 60 minutes to be broken down to getting a significant workout in. Where will you exercise? Do you have a gym on-site, will you drive to a gym or fitness studio nearby, or maybe head outside for a run?

 

Determine how long it will take you to:

  • Change into your workout attire.
  • Get to and from your workout location.
  • Change back into your work attire and freshen up.

 

Add all the above and subtract the number of minutes from 60. Then you have an idea of how long you can exercise. For instance; it could take 5 minutes to change, round trip to and from the gym is 15 minutes, 10 minutes to change again and freshen up. That leaves 30 minutes to workout.

 

*Extra Tip: Take an early lunch to work out so when you return you’re eating at your desk at the time you normally eat lunch. If you wait, you’ll be too hungry and won’t have the energy to exercise.

 

  1. Block Out Your Calendar

This could also fit under time management, but block out the hour you choose to work out on your calendar, plus the 15-30 minutes it will take you to eat (your prepped and ready-to-go) lunch. This way your meetings can be scheduled around it. We find it most productive if you reserve a certain task to do while eating, like responding to emails, checking up on industry news, or something that doesn’t require face-to-face or phone calls during this time.

 

Your co-workers will grow to know this as your schedule and respect it, they might even get on board and give the mid-day workout a try too. Make sure you help and encourage them. A healthy workplace can greatly contribute to an individual’s overall health and wellness.

 

This won’t be perfect every single day, you will have to be flexible to work with your clients and customer schedules, or other circumstances. The most important thing is that you create a mindset that your health is important now, and deserves time dedicated to it daily. Even if that means squeezing it in when and where you can.

 

That’s why SearchWide Global created the Take Carra Foundation, to help our clients, candidates and industry of professionals “Take Carra” themselves. Find out more about it here.

 

*Extra Tip: If you are super pressed for time, keep an app handy like 12 Min Athlete or 8Fit that you can do quick, anytime, anywhere workouts. Or go for a walk with whatever time you do have, even if it’s just 5 minutes.

 

That brings us to maximizing your mornings and evenings as mentioned above. Studies show that having a less hectic morning routine can lead to a more productive day, and your overall happiness.

Some quick tips:

 

Start your morning off mindful.

Mental health is important too. Does it make you happy to enjoy a cup of coffee without distractions? To meditate right when you wake? Try incorporating a ritual that brings you joy and reduces your stress.

Here are some ideas from Inc.com.

 

End your day to feel complete.

Do you feel like your day was a success or lacking something? Spend time with loved ones, relax, cook. Whatever brings you a sense of fulfillment, find time after work for it.

***Each night prep your lunch and pack your gym bag to set the tone for the following day.

 

If you found these tips on mastering the mid-day workout helpful, share with your peers. They will be thankful you did.

 

 

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SearchWide Global is a full service executive search firm primarily for companies in Destination Organizations / Hotels & Resorts / Venue Management / Experiential Marketing, Tradeshow & Exhibition / Industry Associations / Sports & Entertainment. Specializing in C-Level and Director level executive searches for companies ranging in size from Fortune 500 corporations to mid-sized public and private companies and associations. Founded in 1999, SearchWide Global headquartered in St. Paul, MN, USA and operates worldwide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tips on Eating Healthy While Traveling

by jsl_web_admin

We’ve all done it. Our intentions were good when we planned on eating right and exercising while preparing for an upcoming meeting, convention or business trip. However, once the receptions, buffets and dinners show up, all of your plans are tossed out of the window!

 

Below are a few tips on eating healthy while traveling.

 

Start your day off right: Eat a healthy breakfast. Eating healthy will give you the energy needed to kick start your day.  While at the buffet, look for oatmeal, fruit and protein (eggs and lean meat).  Most coffee shops also offer oatmeal.  Skip the baked goods such as muffins and pastries!

 

Pack your snacks: Try this mixture to stave away cravings during the day. This snack packs easily in your bag and is high in protein:

 

1 Tablespoon each (6.5 grams protein):

  • Almonds
  • Pistachio nuts
  • Sunflower seeds,
  • Walnuts
  • Raisins
  • Chocolate chips

 

 

Other travel friendly non-perishable foods include: Almond butter packs, snack sized hummus & pretzels and snack sized tuna & cracker kits,.

 

Protein with every meal: According to Healthline.com, protein aids in reducing cravings and helps to maintain a healthy weight. See the link for more benefits that are backed by science.

 

Simply eat real food: While making food choices while traveling, try and stay away from refined foods such as chips, muffins, cakes, cookies and crackers. Opt for whole foods like salads, vegetable based dishes, baked potatoes, meat and fish. Choose foods that are not heavily processed.

 

According to Healthline, refined carbs may contribute to diabetes, heart disease, and other health issues.

 

Monitor those drinks: Sugary drinks can pack on calories throughout the day.  Try unsweetened tea, seltzer water with lime and when it comes to alcohol, many cocktails can pack up to 500 calories.  Try a light beer or lower calorie low sugar drink such as vodka with club soda.

 

Move your body: Set a goal to exercise daily. Go for a walk, hit the gym or take time out to meditate and recharge your mind and body.  As little as 20 minutes can provide the needed energy boost and keep you charged. (Popsugar: 2 Important Reasons to Move 20 Minutes a Day)

 

Remember while traveling, eating properly does not mean you have to sacrifice taste or nutrition. With the right planning and mindset, you can enjoy your trip without packing on the pounds.

 

 

 

kellie_hendersonAbout the Author:

Kellie Henderson works in all sectors of the hospitality, travel and tourism industry at SearchWide Global, a full service executive recruitment firm primarily for companies in the travel, tourism, hospitality, convention, trade association, venue management and experiential marketing industries. She is an expert at recognizing clients’ needs and identifying best-in-class talent. She is also the leader of SearchWide Global’s industrywide diversity initiative and is very involved in several industry organizations.

 

 

 

Read more: Three Superfood Recipes for a Healthier You

Read more: USAE News: SearchWide Global Creates “Wellness” Program Honoring The Late Jim Carra

 

About SearchWide Global: SearchWide Global is a full service executive search firm, placing hundreds of executives, primarily for companies in the travel, tourism, hospitality, convention, trade association, venue management and experiential marketing industries. Specializing in C-Level and Director level executive searches for companies ranging in size from Fortune 500 corporations to mid-sized public and private companies and associations. Headquartered in St. Paul, MN, USA and with several regional offices, SearchWide Global is able to serve clients and candidates nationwide. Founded in 1999, they have remained focused on four core values for almost two decades: INTEGRITY, ETHICS, PASSION and RESPECT.

 

 

9 Tips You Can Use NOW to Create a Better Work-life Balance

by jsl_web_admin

Do you ever feel stressed, overworked, or spread too thin? You’re not alone in feeling this way. Many professionals are in your same boat and are searching for a way to be successful in all aspects of their lives.

Creating a work-life balance can definitely be a challenge at times, but by achieving a good balance in life is key to one’s happiness and overall health. Separating our professional lives from our personal lives is becoming more difficult, thanks to technology and the need for immediate communication.

 

At SearchWide Global we believe it needs to be a top priority, as poor work-life balance can produce high levels of stress which can lead to health issues, unhappiness and reduced production at work. Nobody wants that! 

 

Here are 9 tips that you can use now to create a more balanced life:

1. Rise and shine – Wake up an hour earlier.  It may be tough in the beginning but easing into your morning instead of rushing will produce a more peaceful day.  You’ll often hear this as a common denominator among CEO’s and entrepreneurs offering advice on being successful. Do whatever you want with the time, some ideas would be to; get some work done while you have uninterrupted time, have coffee in quiet, prepare a healthy meal for the day, exercise, or read.

 

2. Build downtime into your schedule – looking ahead, schedule time with family and friends. This way, even when work life is busy, you can manage your time around your already scheduled downtime like you would any meeting on your calendar.

 

3. Eliminate activities that don’t serve you– limit time wasted on social media sites, gossiping with colleagues and other mindless activities. Take stock of activities that don’t enhance your career or personal life, and reduce the time you spend on them.

 

4. Exercise – exercise is essential to physical and mental health. We know there are countless studies that show a direct correlation between health, productivity, and energy levels and exercise, yet it is still a challenge to squeeze it in a busy schedule. Find an exercise you enjoy and a time in the day that works for you, before work and before your household wakes, at your lunch hour, or in the evenings perhaps. Then commit to that time throughout the week.

At SearchWide Global we use FitBit’s to track activity and motivate regular exercise; this is also great for team building.

 

5. Meditate –  Meditation is not just for the zen, and has huge benefits when it comes to reducing stress and becoming more aware. Anyone can do it, and anyone can benefit from it. Learn to become more mindful in the present moment (even when you are a busy professional). The Headspace app offers an introduction to medication. Just use the app to walk you through it, at just 10 minutes a day.

 

6. Relax – take some quiet time for yourself to reflect and make time to do things you enjoy. There is an art about literally, doing nothing. That means no phone, social media, tv, etc. It’s shown to create calmness and create space in your mind for new ideas. But, if your idea of relaxing is watching some tv shows, go ahead. Just try not to fall asleep to it as research shows that can negative effects on your sleep.

 

7. Volunteer – Giving back and volunteering your time in your community provides stress relief and gives you a sense of accomplishment while helping others. It’s also a great way to offer your skills and learn key leadership attributes. At SearchWide Global, staff is encouraged to take one volunteer day a year during work hours. So if finding the time is an issue, talk to your boss about implementing a similar program.

 

8. Turn off your phone – You can’t be in 2 places at the same time.  If you’re enjoying dinner with your family yet looking down at your phone, the perception is you would rather be with your phone.  Make yourself fully available when spending quality time with family and friends.

 

9. Get back to nature – Evidence shows that spending time in nature can provide a restore your mental well-being, relieve stress, boost your creative juices, and more. Even though a trip to a national forest would be nice, any green space, park, community garden or similar will do.

 

10. Plan an annual vacation – Okay, actually it’s 10! Consider it a bonus, because this one can be life-changing on its own. Take a vacation (or vacations if possible) throughout the year. The Dalai Lama said,

“Once a year go someplace you’ve never been before”.

The memories and experiences that you gain from taking a vacation are truly priceless. If you have a hard time getting away, plan ahead. This helps you stay committed to the dates you plan to travel and gives you time to save funds for the trip.

 

once-a-year-go-someplace-youve-never-been-before

 

For on-going encouragement,  a great resource is Project Time Off.

“Project: Time Off aims to shift culture so that using personal time off is not considered frivolous, but essential to strengthening families and improving personal health, a business investment with proven returns, and an economic necessity.” (www.projecttimeoff.com).

 

Start today by trying a few of these tips and you will begin to experience a better balance at work and home. Here’s to a more balanced you!

 

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SearchWide Global is a full service executive search firm primarily for companies in the travel, tourism, hospitality, convention, trade association, venue management and experiential marketing industries. We specialize in C-Level and Director level executive searches for companies ranging in size from Fortune 500 corporations to mid-sized public and private companies and associations. Headquartered in St. Paul, MN, USA and several regional offices, we’re able to serve clients and candidates nationwide. Founded in 1999, we have remained focused on our four core values for almost two decades: INTEGRITY, ETHICS, PASSION and RESPECT.