We recently connected with Jennifer Spragg and have shared our conversation below.
Jennifer, so great to have you with us today. There are so many topics we want to ask you about, but perhaps the one we can start with is burnout. How have you overcome or avoided burnout?
There was a time when I definitely suffered from burnout and that was mostly due to a very high stress, demanding job that I wasn’t passionate about. I was working, working, working and when I wasn’t my brain just wanted to zone out and disconnect from everything. I wasn’t sleeping enough, eating well, or exercising my body because I felt like I didn’t have the time or energy. Not doing those things only compounded the burnout effect. Eventually I just had to realize that what works for others may not work for me. When I discovered my passion for travel and helping others plan for their vacations and adventures I realized I could make my career work for me, not the other way around. Setting my own schedule and listening to my body and mind and making time for rest, yoga, meditation, and hobbies was essential. I’m still working very hard and focusing on my career goals, but I’m doing it in rhythm with how my mind and body work. Plus, it helps to love what you do! And I find my role as a Travel Advisor very fun!
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I have always loved travel, and I think it’s important part of being in this world. I believe that learning about history, culture, art, and seeing places that are new and amazing can be great for a person’s spirit. Plus, I believe that we don’t rest or relax enough as human beings and that rest can be revolutionary. If we’re well rested and fulfilled, that is when we can help others and be more generous. Planning travel and deciding where to go or what to do and how to do that can be an overwhelming chore for a lot of folks, and that’s where I come in! I love talking with my clients to see what’s important to them and presenting them with their perfect itinerary for whatever they’re looking for. Some of my clients want a packed, adventurous agenda and others just want to find the perfect all-inclusive resort for relaxing on the beach. I’m so excited to work with them to make those things happen.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
It was important to me to have a strong sense of self and know what I wanted to get out of life. Confidence is also key, but that can be hard especially when you’re starting a new business or a whole new type of life. Even if you have to “fake it til you make it” a little bit, the confidence and self-assurance will come.
In my line of work I need to be curious. I want to learn about people and what they want and need. Constantly wanting to delve deeper into the human aspect of my job is critical, but it’s also important to want to learn as much as you can about whatever topics are interesting.
I inherited a strong mid-western work ethic from both of my parents. I definitely need that since I’m looking to grow a business and forge relationships with clients. That’s why loving what you do is so important. Sometimes it doesn’t feel much like work at all!
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I am always looking to make connections with people because you never know how you can help each other out. I am particularly interested in working with anyone who wants to travel of course. But I also want to be someone people can reach out to if they want to plan something like a large corporate getaway, or wellness retreat, or big family reunion on a cruise ship. I’d love to connect with other small business owners, especially women and minority owned so we can lift each other up, motivate each other, exchange advice, and maybe even share a client or two. I’m always reachable at [email protected] and willing to chat!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rubyjunetravel.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rubyjunetravel/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094759916045
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferspragg/
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