Explore: How to Build a Career Full of Options

Antigua, Guatemala

Feb 12, 2025

What if I told you that the key to creating more options in your career and life could be found in the way you approach travel? Think about it: when you travel, you’re constantly making decisions—choosing where to go, how to adapt to unexpected delays, and when to pivot when things don’t go as planned. These moments aren’t just about getting from one place to another; they’re about building the mindset and skills to create opportunities wherever you are.

Travel has taught me that life—and work—isn’t about having a single, rigid path. It’s about designing multiple paths, so you always have a way forward, no matter what challenges arise. Whether you’re navigating a career transition, leading a team through uncertainty, or simply looking to grow professionally, the lessons from travel can help you build a life full of options.

The question I often ask my kids (and myself) is this: How can you build a career that gives you the freedom to take chances, pivot when needed, and create your own opportunities?

Here’s how travel has shaped my approach to creating flexibility and opportunity in both work and life:

1. Prioritize Experiences Over Comfort Travel pushes you out of your comfort zone, forcing you to adapt to new environments and cultures. In the workplace, this translates to being open to new roles, projects, or industries. The more experiences you gather, the more pathways you create for yourself.

2. Develop Transferable Skills Navigating a foreign city or negotiating with a local vendor teaches problem-solving, communication, and resilience—skills that are invaluable in any professional setting. These abilities allow you to pivot when needed and seize opportunities others might miss.

3. Embrace Uncertainty as an Opportunity Travel often involves detours, delays, and surprises. Instead of seeing these as setbacks, I’ve learned to view them as chances to explore something new. In your career, this mindset can help you turn challenges into stepping stones for growth.

4. Build a Network That Spans Borders One of the greatest gifts of travel is the people you meet along the way. These connections can lead to unexpected collaborations, mentorships, or even job opportunities. A diverse network is one of the most powerful tools for creating options in your career.

5. Stay Curious and Keep Learning Every destination offers something new to discover, whether it’s a language, a custom, or a way of doing business. This curiosity fuels continuous learning, which is essential for staying relevant and adaptable in a rapidly changing world.

The beauty of travel is that it doesn’t just show you new places—it shows you new possibilities. It teaches you to see the world (and your career) as a place full of potential, where every decision opens up new doors.

So, whether you’re planning your next trip or your next career move, remember this: the more you embrace the unknown, the more options you create for yourself. And the more options you have, the more freedom you’ll find—to grow, to lead, and to thrive.

Here’s to building a career and life full of possibilities!