I am back at my desk after a month-long adventure in Zambia although, in spirit, I am still very much there.
The trip was remote, wild, at times frightening, exhilarating, beautiful and dare I say it, life-changing all at once. I lost count of how many times the words “impossibly beautiful” came into my mind as I took in what I was seeing, hearing, smelling and experiencing.
I cannot quite let it go. So, in my next few articles, I will be sharing a little more of this leap outside my comfort zone—and some reflections about how these experiences link to our careers, life changes and finding the confidence to do something different.
This first tale is about turning a dream into reality: imagining what is possible, doing the research, making a plan, and knowing when to seek help.
A dream that would not go away
Our first trip to Africa was intended to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
It was carefully curated and planned by a travel agent, with some input from me. At the time, I had no idea that Africa has a way of getting under your skin. Once is rarely enough.
Over the next four years, we dreamed, researched and saved for another adventure—this time to Uganda. I had much more input into the itinerary, route, accommodation and activities, but we were still guided by a local expert.
Then came a long seven-year gap.
The itch to return became increasingly hard to ignore. But our circumstances had changed, and this time the trip would need to be much more cost-effective. We also wanted to avoid some of the challenges that can come with heavily visited destinations: large crowds, congested game sightings, and behaviour that does not always respect the animals or the environment.
We wanted to feel as though we were truly back in the wild.
In other words, we needed to find a road less travelled.
From a dream to a workable plan
Like any meaningful goal, this one could not stay a dream forever. It needed research, decisions, trade-offs and a practical plan and although my significant other was in for the ride, it was my baby to organise, plan and bring to reality. As it turned out he was reading the itinerary on the flight over, trying to get his head around place names, GPS coordinates, route maps and where fuel and food could be bought. In other words, I was leading the show with little ability to delegate. I lived and breathed this for close to 15 months and if anything failed, I’d likely take the fall (no pressure!).
I began by gathering information through online research, travel groups and conversations with people who had first-hand experience. Eventually, I narrowed the possibilities to three countries: Malawi, Zimbabwe and Zambia with Zambia coming out on top for logistics and what we could see and do in the time we had. Whew, one major decision down.
We had a clear maximum budget. It soon became apparent that a conventional organised itinerary with organised transfers, mid-range accommodation and eating out all the time would not allow us to travel for the four weeks we felt we needed.
Could we possibly drive, camp and self-cater our way through Zambia?
The itinerary took us through very remote regions and national parks on 4×4 dirt and sand tracks and on main “tar” roads that feature in an episode of “Worlds Worst Roads”. We’d be sleeping in a roof-top tent. Is that even doable at our age?
After earlier, more comfortable travel experiences, the idea was daunting. We were not twenty-somethings setting off with limitless energy and a very small tent. We’d be stepping well outside our normal comfort zone.
At the same time, the thought of camping beneath the African sky, being closer to nature and travelling at our own pace was incredibly appealing. Personally, I felt I needed a push, an adventure and most of all just be under African skies again.
So, I kept researching. We spoke with a friend experienced in off-road driving and remote camping. We listened to others who knew more than we did. Some advice was cautious: perhaps we should travel in convoy; perhaps this was too ambitious.
But by then, we had already decided that the dream mattered enough to explore properly.
Eventually, I sought more specialist guidance. The owner of the local Zambian vehicle-rental company we chose was invaluable. His knowledge of routes, camps, road conditions and the places most likely to give us authentic, quieter experiences changed our original plan significantly. This expert input helped us make better decisions and avoid avoidable mistakes.
The research and decision making continued. The budget, exchange rates, evolving fuel crisis and Ebola outbreak closely monitored but by then it was too late to get refunds of deposits etc anyway. The travel insurance wouldn’t cover us pulling out of the trip because we had cold feet. We weighed the risks. We prepared as well as we could.
The plan worked—because it could adapt
We executed the plan and, remarkably, it went incredibly well.
Of course, there were hiccups. There always are.
Plans are not a guarantee that everything will unfold perfectly; they are a way to be better prepared when things do not.
We had to adapt at times, make decisions on the fly and remain calm when circumstances changed. But the preparation gave us confidence. It meant we understood the purpose of the trip, the route we were taking, the constraints we were working within and the options available to us.
The result was far more extraordinary than we could have imagined.
What this has to do with our careers
A career change is not the same as travelling through remote Zambia. But the initial research and planning process has a surprising amount in common.
Many people know they want something to change. They may feel flat, restless, under-used, overlooked or simply ready for a new challenge. They may be saying things such as:
- “I know I cannot keep doing this forever.”
- “I have lost my spark.”
- “I want something different, but I do not know what.”
- “I need a role with more purpose, flexibility or growth.”
- “I am worried I will make the wrong move.”
The temptation is often to leap straight into job searching—updating a CV, scrolling through job ads and applying for anything that looks vaguely suitable.
But a job search without direction can become exhausting very quickly. It can lead to applications for roles you do not really want, disappointment when nothing feels right, and a growing sense that you are stuck.
Before you start moving, it helps to know where you are trying to go.
A clear goal and a practical plan will not remove every uncertainty. They can, however, make the journey more purposeful, reduce unnecessary risk and help you make choices that are aligned with the life and career you want.
It can also re-energise you.
I often talk about comfort zones because they matter. Staying in one role, one organisation or one way of working for too long can leave us operating on autopilot. We disengage. Our performance can dip. We stop learning.
The light in our eyes starts to fade.
Stepping outside your comfort zone does not have to mean recklessness. It can mean thoughtful, supported and intentional movement towards something that matters.
Before you launch into a job search
If you are thinking about a career move, start with the same foundations that helped turn our Zambia dream into a reality.
- Imagine where you want to go
Start by asking yourself: What would a genuinely good workday look like for me?
Picture a day when you are engaged, useful and energised. Consider:
- What are you doing?
- What problems are you solving?
- What skills are you using?
- What do you enjoy contributing?
- Who are you interacting with?
- How much autonomy, structure, variety or flexibility do you need?
- What values need to be present in the organisation or work?
- What would make you feel proud of how you spent your day?
If you already have a dream role in mind, test it against these questions. Does it genuinely meet most of your criteria, or does it simply sound impressive or familiar?
If you do not yet know the exact role, that is fine. Identify two or three possible directions, industries or role types to explore further. You do not need a ten-year plan; you need enough clarity to take the next informed step.
- Research the terrain
Once you have some possible directions, investigate them properly.
Look at job advertisements, position descriptions and LinkedIn profiles of people doing work that interests you. Talk to people in the field. Notice the language employers use, the skills they ask for and the experience they value.
Ask yourself:
- What qualifications, capabilities or experience are genuinely required?
- Which of these do I already have?
- What gaps can I address through a project, short course, secondment, volunteer work or targeted experience?
- What is the employment market like in this field?
- What are the realistic entry points or transition roles?
- What salary, location, flexibility and lifestyle trade-offs might be involved?
This stage is not about talking yourself out of a goal. It is about making sure your route is realistic and intentional.
- Plan your route
Career paths are rarely straight lines.
You may need a stepping-stone role, a period of skill-building, a different way of presenting your existing experience or a broader network before the right opportunity becomes visible.
Consider the practical elements of your plan:
- The skills, knowledge or experience you need to gain or strengthen.
- Your CV and tailored cover-letter approach.
- Your LinkedIn and Seek profiles and the professional story they tell.
- The people you need to reconnect with or meet.
- The time, money and energy you can realistically commit to the change.
A good plan does not lock you into one route. It gives you a starting point and helps you recognise when you need to adjust course.
- Ask for help when you need it
One of the biggest lessons from planning our Zambia trip was that we did not need to work everything out alone.
There is a difference between handing over responsibility for your career (which will only lead to disappointment), and getting useful support along the way.
The right people can help you see options you had not considered, challenge assumptions, identify blind spots and make decisions with more confidence. Depending on your situation, your support network may include trusted friends, family members, former colleagues, mentors, recruiters, industry contacts or subject-matter experts.
A career coach can also provide an independent perspective. Someone who doesn’t have “skin in the game” or a personal agenda about what you should do. A good coach can help you clarify your direction, identify gaps, strengthen your career story, create a realistic action plan and stay connected to your reasons for making a change.
Sometimes one focused conversation is enough to help you get unstuck.
The first step does not need to be dramatic
You do not have to resign tomorrow, enrol in a major qualification or have every detail mapped out before you begin.
You do need to be honest about whether your current path is still serving you and willing to spend some time imagining, researching and planning a different route.
Our Zambia adventure was not created by one impulsive decision. It was built gradually: a dream, a conversation, research, savings, expert advice, revised plans and enough courage to actually take the leap despite the unknowns.
Your next career chapter may begin in exactly the same way.
If you are thinking about a career change—or have started the process and feel stuck—I offer a complimentary 20-minute career conversation. You are welcome to contact me on 021 675 870 or leeanne@careerspheres.co.nz
And, if you would like to talk about Africa as well, I will never need much encouragement.
