HITTING THE RESET BUTTON:
23 COUNTRIES IN 1 YEAR
When our members discuss the pros of freelancing, the freedom to travel between gigs or even on the job is always right at the top of the list. While full-timers may not have the same legroom, the desire to hit the reset button can be just as strong. WNW Member #5915 Mike Giepert, at the time a full-timer at a top agency, hit the reset button hard, traveling to 23 countries in one year. Mike talks about the sacrifices he had made for his job, the plans for his escape, and the payoff.
"I was always the guy who would stick around late or on the weekends to work. More than a few times, I changed really important trips to go on a shoot. It was clear that work was becoming an overwhelming force in my life, and I needed a reset button. My reset button was a little extreme, but honestly it was the best thing that I could have ever done for my career. When you’re sitting on a mountain in Patagonia at four in the morning waiting for the sun to come up, you have lots of time to put your life into perspective. It was really nice to realize that I still loved my job, but I had a lot of clarity about the things I wanted to change moving forward."
All photos by Mike Giepert. More here.
Tell us about your creative background. Who is Mike Giepert and how did he get here?
I started out at the little design program at the University of Utah then got accepted into Wieden+Kennedy 12 right before graduating college. The week after 12 ended, I took a position at W+K Portland as an Art Director. A few years later, I became a Creative Director. Like the most direct path of anyone I ever met at Wieden.
But I began to look back at all those years and realized that I’d never taken more than a week or two off to travel for myself. That thought was like a little grain of sand inside that kept nagging at me.
I was going to leave on my 32nd birthday and return on my 33rd. I needed to turn the idea from a fantasy into something real. I knew that if I didn’t, I’d never leave.
You recently returned from a year-long sabbatical, backpacking around the world. How long were you toying with the idea of hitting the road?
Probably about three years worth of dreaming and planning. But mostly dreaming. Lots of playing out wanderlust fantasies in my head. I finally committed and gave myself a year to prep. I let my boss know that I was leaving for a year. It helped that she had just returned from a month in India and was ridiculously supportive. I started telling my friends and family my departure date, and stocking up on supplies. I was going to leave on my 32nd birthday and return on my 33rd. I needed to turn the idea from a fantasy into something real. I knew that if I didn’t, I’d never leave.
Tell us about your itinerary, and why you chose to visit certain places?
(Deep inhale.) First was a road trip around the western US, hitting 15 national Parks. Then from Sasquatch Music Festival to NYC for a few weeks. Then Iceland to London to Cannes for the advertising festival. From that point I had a three month unlimited Eurail pass for all of Europe. I hit most of the major capitals in Europe at whirlwind pace with no real itinerary other than what I felt like doing. Then Turkey, India, Shanghai, and Tokyo. A month in Indonesia. A month in New Zealand and Australia and finished up with a couple months in Argentina and Chile. 23 countries in all.
What places are you hoping to visit again soon? What places would you skip if you needed another reboot?
I can’t wait to go back to Iceland. It was the most surreal place I encountered. My dad is a few years away from retiring and he’s big into hiking and camping. I’d love to take him to New Zealand for a few weeks to do some of the Great Walks.
It wasn’t so much that I regretted going anywhere, but I learned how to better pace myself over time. 23 countries was way too much in a year. I dabbled in a lot of places that I probably will never go back. But it also made me fall in love with places that I can’t wait to return to and really take my time. Nature trumps all in my mind because all cities start to blend together over time.
Did you travel alone? What are the pros and cons of traveling alone, or with a friend/group?
For the most part I was a loner. I had little stints where I would travel with people or stay with friends which was wonderful. But I also had months at a time where it was me, myself and a backpack. I love traveling by myself because you get to choose whether or not to make other people a part of where you’re going. If you feel like a solo camping adventure, then go solo. But if you meet people along the trail that you’d like to spend more time with, then just tag along. Travelers are the easiest people in the world to strike up a conversation with.
It was clear that work was becoming an overwhelming force in my life, and I needed a reset button. My reset button was a little extreme, but honestly it was the best thing that I could have ever done for my career.
What was the impetus behind your decision to leave your full-time job and make such a radical change?
I was always the guy who would stick around late or on the weekends to work. More than a few times, I changed really important trips to go on a shoot. It was clear that work was becoming an overwhelming force in my life, and I needed a reset button. My reset button was a little extreme, but honestly it was the best thing that I could have ever done for my career. When you’re sitting on a mountain in Patagonia at four in the morning waiting for the sun to come up, you have lots of time to put your life into perspective. It was really nice to realize that I still loved my job, but I had a lot of clarity about the things I wanted to change moving forward.
Since returning, has it been difficult to not fall into the same old habits of overexertion, or are you still carrying that feeling of renewal?
Of course old habits still creep in. When starting out in freelance, you want to bust ass and build a name for yourself so that you always have work coming in. But it took some good friends reminding me to enjoy the time in between jobs. And it feels amazing knowing that at the end of an agreed upon stint of work, you are in control of what you say yes to next.
Are you itching to hit the road again?
I was itching to do more travel before I even got home. Norway is next. Or maybe sailing around the Mediterranean. Or...
Another important thing is controlling the flow of information... Over-communication was giving me serious anxiety. And I realized that I would rather have fewer, more meaningful connections with the people I really cared about. I’ve been pretty good about sticking to this.
What have been some of the specific ways you’ve adjusted your approach to goals both personal and creative? Any lessons learned?
If I recognize that something will make me happier career-wise, I know that I am the only one who can make it happen. So I either create that environment, or I demand it of those I work for.
Another important thing is controlling the flow of information. Before I left on my trip, I disconnected my cell phone, dropped off Facebook, cancelled all mail, got rid of 99% of junk email, and really cut back on personal email. Over-communication was giving me serious anxiety. And I realized that I would rather have fewer, more meaningful connections with the people I really cared about. I’ve been pretty good about sticking to this.
Just ask for the time off. Explain why you think it would be helpful for your work, for your soul. The worst they can say is no. And the best thing you can do is take it anyway. The freelance market is great right now!
What are some top tips you can offer creatives who are in desperate need of a sabbatical? Any tips on balancing a life and a life in advertising, besides finding a new profession?
I’ve never been great at balance. And now I recognize that it’s OK. Some people can juggle friends, family and work beautifully. I’m not one of those people. I would rather go 100% work or 100% life. And I’m cool with that now.
And if you need a sabbatical, be it a month or a year, just ask for the time off. Explain why you think it would be helpful for your work, for your soul. The worst they can say is no. And the best thing you can do is take it anyway. The freelance market is great right now!
What are you working on now?
I just finished working on a bunch of commercials for a big brand that rhymes with Snapple and now I’m freelancing for an awesome start-up in Toronto called Wealthsimple.
Who are some WNW members you most admire, and why?
Andrew Wilcox has helped me relish the times that the phone isn’t ringing and embrace the personal project. Adi Goodrich because she’s always making things that look super fun to work on. And Sheena Brady because she’s a badass who makes really smart stuff.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Commit to it before you know how you’ll do it. The bigger and scarier the commitment, the harder you’ll work to figure it out.