Sail Away to Success

Balancing Work and Competitive Sailing

by Katia Royer (published on Clickworks)

I often get asked: “When do you work? It looks like you’re always on vacation. How do you manage to work and travel so much, what do your bosses think of that?”

The answer is that I’m very fortunate to have good bosses who put their employees’ interests first and a job that allows me to work remotely and travel at the same time. Currently, I am referred to as a digital nomad, which means I can work from anywhere in the world with an internet connection. I am able to take advantage of the flexibility of my job to travel and explore new places while still getting my work done.

As a passionate competitive sailor, I have always dreamed of combining my love of sailing with a normal career. Having a ‘normal’ job that is flexible enough to allow me to travel for my sailing sport was a goal of mine for a long time. After a few jobs and the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was able to find my perfect job, and this way of life has provided me with incredible experiences over the past two years. It is a great way to stay motivated and passionate about both work and sport. The feeling of being able to travel for my sport while still having a normal job is incredibly rewarding. You get to experience different cultures, explore new places, and meet new people. But most of all, it gives you a break from the monotony of the work week, allowing you to come back to work feeling refreshed and energized.

However, this is not as easy as it sounds. The key to combining work and travel is to be organized and plan ahead. It is important to be disciplined and dedicated when it comes to work, so that you can stay on top of your tasks and deadlines while you are away. It is a balancing act, but one that I am passionate about and enjoy doing. Before embarking on my journey, I make sure to have a clear plan of what I want to accomplish, when I am able to work, and when I am available to meet with clients or colleagues. The key to success is having this plan and communicating it to my colleagues, supervisors, and customers.

Traveling has allowed me to meet people from all over the world and gain invaluable knowledge and experience in sailing, as well as in my personal and professional life. Speaking with a variety of people has broadened my perspectives and provided me with invaluable insights as a UI/UX designer. On top of that, I can use work breaks during the week to explore the surrounding area and see the city. It can provide a welcome break and it is a great way to recharge and escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With this kind of lifestyle, I always feel liberated and adventurous.

Working and traveling while sailing has been an amazing experience so far. It’s an excellent way to combine your passion with the need to earn a living. It has opened a whole new world of opportunities, providing the ideal solution for avoiding burnout. You can continue to enjoy your sailing sport while also focusing on your job if you plan your travel around your work schedule. If you can make it work, you will have the best of both worlds. I can only highly recommend it.

Sail away from the safe harbor, catch the winds in your sails. Explore, dream and go on your adventure! Life is like sailing, you can use any wind to go in any direction. But you must adjust your sails …