Just another day out wine tasting in Spain. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Picking Vendors from RFPs Or Wine Tasting in Spain

It’s a beautiful afternoon, sun is shining and decisions have to be made…red or white? Oh wait, I mean, it’s time to review those RFP binders for the new IT system that’s going to revolutionize how your company operates.  What could be more fun than reading responses from vendors that don’t answer your questions directly, didn’t take your request for information seriously and are pushing a strong sales message without really understanding the business problem you’re tasked with solving?

Going out wine tasting around Spain I’m sure isn’t the least bit tempting. Nope. Not at all. Stop reading now. Go back to your slick binders.

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Career Break Or…Picking Vendors From RFPs is a post from: Career Break Secrets: Travel show, independent travel blog and advice for career breaks and around the world travel adventures

Fresh veggies. Mmmmm. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Honestly, I’m a bit of an office supply nerd. That’s probably a cry for help or a definitive sign that I needed a career break. Anyhoo. If you’re going to be on the search for something special, why not spend your time in the fresh markets in Spain. Enjoying Spanish cuisine doesn’t have to be just in the restaurants. Why not head out and spend some time exploring all the good and healthy freshness available to you in the markets. You’ll certainly taste it in the meal you make back at your hostel or rented apartment.

Of course, if office supply catalogs are your thing, don’t go any further reading this post. Just get back to it. Those file folders aren’t going to order themselves!

Ordering Office Supplies Or…Shopping for Fresh Ingredients at the Markets in Seville

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Career Break Or…Ordering Office Supplies is a post from: Career Break Secrets: Travel show, independent travel blog and advice for career breaks and around the world travel adventures

Mmmmm. Fresh hot churros with warm, melted chocolate. Copyright fred_v

¨Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you!¨ Office birthdays are always a mixed bag. On the surface it’s a happy occasion. Cake, singing, maybe even punch. And, let’s not forget the 15-20 minute break you get from work. Thought of that way, it’s a welcomed respite. But, there are better dessert options you can enjoy on your career break travels. One of my favorites: churros con chocolate in Madrid. I’m embarrassed to say that I didn’t get any photos while I was in Spain. Simple truth is that they didn’t last that long. So, take a little journey with me comparing cake in the conference room with churros in Madrid. Of course, if you think Wal-Mart cake is the BEST, da BOMB. Stop reading now.

Birthday Cake in the Conference Room OR Churros Con Chocolate in Madrid

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Career Break Or…Birthday Cake in the Conference Room is a post from: Career Break Secrets: Travel show, independent travel blog and advice for career breaks and around the world travel adventures

Nothing to see here. Go back to your breakfast meeting. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Just when things start calming down, BOOM, another fire drill hits. Because this issue is ¨critical¨ and ¨we have to get on it right away¨, your boss calls for a breakfast meeting. The only saving grace is that there’s probably going to be coffee and maybe breakfast will be brought in (Please be breakfast tacos. Please be breakfast tacos.).

If you have to be up and active at that hour, there are better alternatives. Catching a sunrise in some of the world’s best nature spots is one such alternative. When I was traveling, I saw the sunrise at Machu Picchu and the Galapagos. Even instnat coffee tasted pretty sweet on those occasions.

Of course, if you’d rather be discussing you ¨tactical response¨, ¨process redesign¨ or the latest budget cuts before the sun rises, don’t read on what your missing out. Stop it. Click to go back to the previous page.

Breakfast Meeting or Sunrise at Torres Del Paine Park in Patagonia

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Career Break Or…Breakfast Meeting is a post from: Career Break Secrets: Travel show, independent travel blog and advice for career breaks and around the world travel adventures

Buller Gorge on the south island is popular for ziplining in New Zealand. Copyright DiveMasterKing2000

Team building and trust within your work team are an important success factor in the working world. But, so often, those relationships fray. In-fighting, back-biting, sabotage and two-faced communications take over as people jockey for position to show that they are the top-dog with their boss. When things get really bad, your boss may decide that the team needs to take a corporate time out and go to camp for the day. Ropes, falls and facilitated communication games, while well-intentioned, are about as welcomed by the participants as a preacher in the red-light district.

If outdoor adventure is your cup of tea, then maybe an afternoon spent zip-lining what you’d rather be doing. Let’s compare doing ¨trust falls¨ with a real outdoor travel experience.

¨Trust Falls¨With Your Co-Workers OR Ziplining in New Zealand

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Career Break Or…Trust Falls is a post from: Career Break Secrets: Travel show, independent travel blog and advice for career breaks and around the world travel adventures

You could be hanging out in one of Buenos Aires outdoor. Copyright CareerBreakSecrets.com

Today I’m starting a new series called ¨Career Break Or…¨ It’s a tongue-in-cheek comparison between your life at work and an experience you could be having traveling around the world. Hopefully it will make you smile, laugh, maybe even make you a little envious of those who have taken the leap so you get motivated to move your own plans forward. Enjoy!

Performance Review OR Afternoon Coffee in a Buenos Aires’ Street Cafe

Who doesn’t love a good performance review? Quality time with your boss, you showing off how much value you add to the organization all ending in a big fat raise, a promotion and more resources to do your job. Good times! Of course, you could be spending that time hanging out in Buenos Aires soaking in the cafe culture. No, no, no. Silly me. Going through a performance review is way better. Don’t read any further. Really. Stop. Now.

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For more career break travel fun, check out the Career Break Or series.

Career Break Or…Performance Review is a post from: Career Break Secrets: Travel show, independent travel blog and advice for career breaks and around the world travel adventures