how to convince your boss to let you work from Italy for a month

blending work and travel

it’s probably no exaggeration to say that travel is a high priority on most people's wish list, and we’ve all experienced the refreshing benefits a good holiday can provide. chances are, however, that many of us are too busy, with hardly an opportunity to take a breather, let alone travel the world. work burnout has become a serious issue, and a recent survey revealed that almost 80 percent of employees have experienced some form of work fatigue, with negative impacts including lack of interest and emotional exhaustion. in comes the sabbatical - a refreshing blend of work and overseas travel that gives employees the opportunity to experience the exotic departure from the day to day that travel provides, without taking away from productivity. participants in a study on sabbaticals only discovered the long lasting benefits at their breaking point, with work overload and significant life events prompting a much needed break. although reluctant at first, the response was overwhelmingly positive, with 16 out of 20 employees returning to work for at least a year. a well timed sabbatical can postpone this work fatigue, creating both healthier employees, and more satisfied bosses. the main elements of our sabbatical projects include creative engagement and learning opportunities that work with the wonder of travel to provide a much needed reset. 

enhancing creativity

it may seem surprising that engaging in creative pursuits, whether related to your work or not, improves job performance, but that’s what new studies seem to be showing. workers in the scientific field found that engaging in meaningful hobbies provided numerous benefits; including a sense of accomplishment outside of work, cognitive flexibility, and much needed space for new ideas. creative activity makes you inspired, energised, and provides a sense of fulfilment and well being; all positive attributes that will benefit you upon returning to the office, or desk, or exotic balcony. our sabbaticals provide the unique opportunity to create and learn in countries perfectly suited to wherever your interests take you. like practicing design in the vibrant city of oaxaca in mexico, learning to cook in tuscany, or taking part in conservation efforts throughout cape town . these pursuits on their own are beneficial, but combining them with exotic destinations make for an extra layer of restoration that’s crucial after a work week. 

adding new skill sets

even when it’s not work related, it’s always important to learn new things. diving into our education opportunities on your sabbatical may mark the start of a new found interest. studying philosophy in athens is one of our unique opportunities, and what better place for it? at first glance it may not seem that a field such as philosophy could help, for example, with a marketing job or a tech startup. yet its focus on discipline and problem solving, its emphasis on looking at situations from different angles - all of this can expand and deepen the strength of peoples skill sets. learning meditation, as part of our courses in tokyo, also has the potential to improve many aspects of one's life, including work performance. a detroit based company saw a 120 percent increase in productivity, and 85 percent less absenteeism, among other benefits, 3 years after a daily practice of meditation was established. the best part is that these learning opportunities are integrated into the travel experience, making it easily accessible and super enjoyable. 

embracing challenge

we’ve all felt the effects of staying in a comfort zone too long. with nothing new or challenging on the horizon, it can be easy to fall into familiar patterns, missing out on the growth and expansion that new experiences provide. in a survey, sabbatical participants reported many positive experiences, with a “major revision of a person’s personal and work identities” being a common theme. exploring a new county, with new people, and unfamiliar languages forces us to overcome obstacles and grow, but it also changes our perspective; we see the world in ways that weren’t previously accessible in our day to day life. our sabbaticals not only let you stay in a new country, but also provide a perfect way of engaging and exploring that country fully. you can take in its culture, knowledge, and unique practices, exploring and learning as you go. as an employer, a month or two working in another country might create a whole new employee, with a new found work identity, a fresh perspective, and an enthusiasm that wasn’t there before. 

relaxation and rejuvenation

relaxation is important, so important in fact, that 80 percent of employees valued a work-life balance as the most important consideration when looking for employment, even over salary. beyond all the practical benefits, the simple fact about working abroad is that its fresh, fun and rejuvenating. although we relax at home, we might be more tempted to switch on the tv, or spend the evening scrolling through social media after we clock off. however, high levels of media consumption can actually increase stress, not relieve it. in this way, travel is truly rejuvenating, because the world is your distraction. being in a new place gives the impression of a holiday, or a retreat, and at the end of the day you’re more inclined to truly switch off and take in your new surroundings. whether it’s sitting on a balcony to enjoy a beautiful view, or wandering through unexplored city streets. working abroad gives your mind a chance to breathe, to take in something new and exotic. you’re more refreshed the morning after, and less frustrated and fatigued from the day before.

it probably won’t take much to convince an employee to take one of our sabbaticals. the combination of new hobbies, skills, increased rejuvenation, and the expansion and perspective shifting experience of travel, makes a substantial reset for the overworked employee. it also creates a better, long lasting employee; one that’s less likely to experience the negative effects of work fatigue and one that might come back with a whole new identity, enthusiastic for what’s ahead.