Work/ life balance is almost a cliché statement and one that annoys a lot of people. It does resonate with some of us and possibly it is more likely to be recognised by people that struggle with it. I have never thought I juggle well, I think I muddle through it and not necessarily well. At great risk of being sexist I think this is a gender thing – women put incredible expectations on themselves as to what they should be doing both at home and at work and when you want to give everything 200 per cent something has to give,
I state this as for many of us in the travel industry it has been an exciting but excessively busy 2 weeks and mixed with trade events it has meant working days and attending events every evening into the night. I am not complaining as it is one of the best parts of the job, being stimulated by being busy and also the opportunity of important networking at evening functions.
I should explain to readers that are not in the travel industry, we have a trade exhibition which is attended by travel partners worldwide. It only lasts for 4 days but the lead up to it is almost a week before, when partners from overseas come to the UK and hold events and want to visit the offices of their travel partners. A party every night is fantastic to me and one would be crazy not to see the huge business opportunities that closer relationships deliver. So it does mean that your work life is 24/7 and balance at this time goes right out of the window if you aim to achieve all your business objectives and chase every opportunity this networking creates.
I write this as I was due to be boarding a plane for our holiday to Nepal but instead work load demands meant I had to cancel this – you can see why I say I muddle through this balance.
Not for one moment would I change anything though – I am lucky to have inherited a very strong work ethic and lucky that so many people want to travel with Bales. As I see it, it is my duty to ensure we commit fully to those of you that choose to book with us and ensure we meet the standards of service you have rightfully come to expect of us. Relationships strengthen the values of both businesses and ensures thaw the ethos is shared in ensuring excellence every time fot clients and travellers who put their faith in us.
Anyway it is no hardship when you are a people person as I am and the good thing is that the gym is not an option at this time.
Got to go, events to attend…
About Mandy Nickerson
Other articles by Mandy Nickerson
Mandy endeavours to share her travel experiences (where she will 'tell it like it is') and also detail the latest exciting projects that she is involved in.
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