In recent years, the world has felt like a tumultuous place. Many of us have been unable to see our loved ones past a Zoom call due to the global pandemic, many have battled with health concerns or have struggled mentally with so much uncertainty and isolation. Due to this, there has been a shift in the public consciousness surrounding how we view our time at work. In America, there was a wave of mass resignations after covid hit, with employees from large companies such as Amazon deciding to resign due to ill treatment in the workplace. We are now all more aware of how important our spare time is, and perhaps have been reminded just how finite life itself is.
It appears that for a lot of people, the incentive is now that we work to live and not live to work, and many are seeking more fulfilling and less demanding work environments.
Yachting has never been synonymous with relaxation, at least not for the crew. The hours are long and the time away from home and loved ones can be extensive, but it is widely known that the pay is reflective of the many sacrifices that are made. This is why many people remain stuck in the industry, perhaps for years after they intended to leave. It can be really difficult to leave behind a life at sea, travel without expense, great wage packages, regular visits to the world’s most beautiful places and working with a tight knit crew. But, despite all of the perks that coincide with yachting, there may come a time when shoreside life calls your name, and you decide that you want to pursue a life with your feet on solid ground rather than on teak.
Whilst yachting can be a lucrative and exciting career, there are many sacrifices to other areas of your life that you may wish to no longer neglect, particularly if your wish is to start a family or focus on your relationships outside of work. If you are feeling bored or stagnant in your position and feel that there is little room to progress, if you catch yourself daydreaming out of the porthole or simply feel you have learnt all you can from your experience, perhaps it’s time to consider a change. This can feel like a daunting decision, but it can help to have a clearer idea of what you might want from your next venture.
In order to mentally prepare yourself to leave the industry you may want to follow a few of these pointers:
Remember what your values are and what fulfills you
It is easy to get carried away in an intense work environment such as yachting, and end up feeling like who you truly are gets lost in the mold we are often placed in within the industry. Take some time to remember your personal values and look to what truly gives you fulfillment, this will act as your guide and can be your anchor when you are attempting to make difficult decisions. Perhaps reconnecting with friends and family members can help to rebalance your sense of self outside of the industry.
Reconnect with interests and hobbies
Oftentimes yachting can be a fun and lucrative career, but for many it started as an adventure rather than a career choice. There may be other interests that you’d love to pursue work wise but have never strategized how to actually do this. By remembering what excites you and interests you, you can begin to build up an idea of what kind of area you would like to move onto next. Start by picking up some old hobbies you haven’t had time for whilst working, reconnect with the things you have always had a natural interest in but haven’t ever thought of turning into a profession and the results could surprise you.
Get financial advice
Leaving a well-paid and stable income can be incredibly daunting, and in present times it may feel like a risky choice to make. However, chances are with some guidance you will be able to manage your resources to great success. Seek advice from a professional advisor who will help you to formulate a plan and settle any nerves you may have about a potential period of unemployment. It may also help to speak to any friends or contacts who have made similar transitions to gain further insight.
Practice self-care
If you can do so, allow yourself to step back and rest. In such a busy and chaotic society, many of us neglect or own wellbeing in favor of the rat-race. The pressure to be successful and present ourselves as high-achievers can be overwhelming. Practicing some self-care for a period of time before immediately jumping to your next move could be the welcome rest that your mind and body need. Feeling rested and giving yourself some space can help you to make better decisions and is important for your mental wellbeing also.
Lastly, speak to those who are positive influences and avoid nay-sayers. Recognising the people in your corner is beneficial when making any kind of life decision, listen to those who you know have your best interest at heart, as you may come across people who are negative and put you down.
Knowing your worth is crucial when making career decisions and having a good support system around you will help to boost your confidence and bolster the sense of self you already have within you.
If any of this resonates with you and you’d like to make the first steps in feeling more fulfilled and confident in your choices, take a look at the 8-week Discover Your Career Potential course with The Crew Coach. Due to popular demand DCP will be launching sooner than scheduled. This course offers all of the guidance and tools that you need to prepare yourself for success and develop a career pathway that feels true to you. Don’t delay on creating a life that ticks all of the boxes. For more info head to https://the-crew-coach.mykajabi.com/discover-your-career-potential
The Crew Coach
Karine Rayson
