Want to jumpstart your creativity and brainpower and feel more alive?
Raises hand. Wouldn't that be nice?
Studies suggest a way to do just that: No, it's not by drinking copious amounts of coffee. It's by going somewhere else. Get out of here!
Image via iStock.
Traveling has the power to make you feel happier and more creative. It can be just the recharge you need. But when you look beyond the passport stamps and Instagram likes, you find it goes even deeper than that.
Traveling can make a person more tolerant and more trusting. Research suggests that it can affect your overall personality too. When Julia Zimmermann and Franz Neyer did a study on a large group of German college students who studied abroad versus those who did not, they found evidence that extended travel can influence personality development. For instance, participants in their study who traveled showed an increase in openness to experience, agreeableness, and overall emotional stability.
It makes sense. When you're trying new things and engaging in new experiences, you're pushed to solve problems in different ways and gain perspective on life. You learn to confront your prejudices, embrace differences, and roll with the punches.
Your experiences mold who you are.
Expedia makes it easy and affordable to foster those experiences.
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Expedia is a one-stop shop for all things travel. From flights, hotels, and rental cars to cruises, vacation rentals, activities, and entire vacation packages, they can help you easily plan for your next adventure. (The only thing they can't do is put up your "Out of Office" for you.)
And, with their rewards program, Expedia+, you earn points on your travel and can then redeem those points for future travel — aka you can save money and go more places! And they don't believe in blackout dates, so you can redeem your points when and how you like. Or you can even choose to donate your points to an awesome charity, like St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Whatever the case, Expedia wants you to experience the life you want.
Maybe you want to go somewhere with views from above...
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... or maybe you'd rather be down below.
Image via iStock.
You can explore more landlocked areas...
Image via Christof Stache/Getty Images.
... or not.
Image via iStock.
Maybe you want to feel the vibrant energy from a city ...
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... or leave it all behind and take a deep breath.
Image via iStock.
There's beauty all around us — even in places you'd least expect.
Solar energy panels in Germany. Look at the patterns! Image via Sean Gallup/Getty Images.
Traveling helps us to open our minds and see how big our world is.
You can discover new activities in a big city or practice self-care in a remote location. You can immerse yourself in an unfamiliar culture to understand a different way of life. You can travel to a different town, or state, or country, or the world's biggest mountain.
Image via iStock.
Whatever adventure you crave and wherever it happens to be, it's nice to know Expedia will have your back. A comforting presence while navigating the unknown, with added perks as you collect rewards ... to then do it again!
Don't know where to go? You can search more than a million flights, hotels, and packages. You'll find something. And when you do, it'll be just what you needed.
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12 non-threatening leadership strategies for women
We mustn't hurt a man's feelings.
Men and the feels.
Note: This an excerpt is from Sarah Cooper's book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings.
In this fast-paced business world, female leaders need to make sure they're not perceived as pushy, aggressive, or competent.
One way to do that is to alter your leadership style to account for the fragile male ego.
Should men accept powerful women and not feel threatened by them? Yes. Is that asking too much?
IS IT?
Sorry, I didn't mean to get aggressive there. Anyhoo, here are twelve non-threatening leadership strategies for women.
Encourage.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When setting a deadline, ask your coworker what he thinks of doing something, instead of just asking him to get it done. This makes him feel less like you're telling him what to do and more like you care about his opinions.
Sharing ideas.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When sharing your ideas, overconfidence is a killer. You don't want your male coworkers to think you're getting all uppity. Instead, downplay your ideas as just "thinking out loud," "throwing something out there," or sharing something "dumb," "random," or "crazy."
Email requests.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pepper your emails with exclamation marks and emojis so you don't come across as too clear or direct. Your lack of efficient communication will make you seem more approachable.
Idea sharing.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
If a male coworker steals your idea in a meeting, thank him for it. Give him kudos for how he explained your idea so clearly. And let's face it, no one might've ever heard it if he hadn't repeated it.
Sexism.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you hear a sexist comment, the awkward laugh is key. Practice your awkward laugh at home, with your friends and family, and in the mirror. Make sure you sound truly delighted even as your soul is dying inside.
Mansplain.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Men love explaining things. But when he's explaining something and you already know that, it might be tempting to say, "I already know that." Instead, have him explain it to you over and over again. It will make him feel useful and will give you some time to think about how to avoid him in the future.
Mistakes.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Pointing out a mistake is always risky so it's important to always apologize for noticing the mistake and then make sure that no one thinks you're too sure about it. People will appreciate your "hey what do I know?!" sensibilities.
Promotions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Asking your manager for a promotion could make you seem power- hungry, opportunistic, and transparent. Instead, ask a male coworker to vouch for you. Have your coworker tell your manager you'd be great for the role even though you don't really want it. This will make you more likely to actually get that promotion.
Rude.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Sometimes not everyone is properly introduced at the start of a meeting. Don't take it personally even if it happens to you all the time, and certainly don't stop the meeting from moving forward to introduce yourself. Sending a quick note afterward is the best way to introduce yourself without seeming too self-important.
Interruptions.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When you get interrupted, you might be tempted to just continue talking or even ask if you can finish what you were saying. This is treacherous territory. Instead, simply stop talking. The path of least resistance is silence.
Collaboration.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When collaborating with a man, type using only one finger. Skill and speed are very off-putting.
Disagreements.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
When all else fails, wear a mustache so everyone sees you as more man-like. This will cancel out any need to change your leadership style. In fact, you may even get a quick promotion!
In conclusion...
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
Many women have discovered the secret power of non-threatening leadership. We call it a "secret power" because no one else actually knows about it. We keep our power hidden within ourselves so that it doesn't frighten and intimidate others. That's what makes us the true unsung heroes of the corporate world.
About the Author: Sarah Cooper
Sarah Cooper is a writer, comedian, and author of 100 Tricks to Appear Smart in Meetings. Her new book, How to Be Successful Without Hurting Men's Feelings, is out now.
The comedic book cover.
With permission from Sarah Cooper.
A satirical take on what it's like to be a woman in the workplace, Cooper draws from her experience as a former executive in the world of tech (she's a former Googler and Yahooer). You can get the book here.
This article was originally published on March 25, 2019.