Virtually every talent endeavor requires travelling. We can therefore say that talent and travel are intertwined.
Whether you are a creative artist, writer, music artiste, actor, dancer, or performer of any kind of art, you would be required to travel from one location to another at some point in time, either for a production, exhibition, audition, or other activities to showcase your ingenuity and even go on tour.
When the need arise for you to make a trip, safety and security is one of the most important thing to consider as travelling comes with a lot of baggage and risks. You stand the risk of getting mobbed, raped, or falling prey to thieves, con-artistes and other violators. Also bear in mind that Covid_19 still ravages the world, you could also fall sick due to a change in climate or environment as well as food.
Considering the fact that insecurity is very much on the rise in the society today, the onus lies on you to protect yourself rather than allowing insecurity factors become a limitation to exploiting your ingenuity.
Some organizers would however do their own bit to ensure safety within the premises of production, but whatever happens outside the location is entirely your responsibility.
You should not allow yourself to be played down by the dangers of traveling and let your talent go untapped but follow the practical tips provided in this article to manage or mitigate the risks and stay safe when you travel.
1. Know where you are going.
Gone are the days when you needed to ask questions from people or make actual visits to a place to get information. Information is now at your finger tip; just Google it or use any other search engine.
Find out the security situation, dressing pattern, tradition and other necessary things.
If you intend to lodge somewhere before proceeding to the main location for your talent endeavor, ensure you get adequate information about the safest neighborhoods and places to stay. Ensure you lock your room door securely when you go out and come in.
2. Communicate
Maintain regular communication with your family and friends and ensure you confide in someone about your travel schedule. If your parents/guardian would not approve of you travelling for the sake of talent pursuit, tell your trusted sibling or friend. Make sure someone is aware of your every movement and give them update about every activity you plan to undertake. To do this effectively, you must always make sure your phone battery is fully charged, buy enough airtime and have a backup power pack. If necessary, have two power banks.
3. Take note of strange behavior from those around you.
Sometimes the very people you are going to work with could be the ones that might want to harm you. When you are in an unfamiliar place, heighten your defense. Be friendly with all, yet, up your guard and consider everyone an enemy until proven otherwise. Also avoid getting drunk or high on narcotics, nicotine and alcoholic beverages to maintain absolute mental alertness
4. Avoid appearing like a stranger.
One of the most effective ways to do this is to research the lifestyle of the people living where you are traveling to prior to making the trip. Avoid anything that gives you off as newbie especially a gullible one. A stranger appearance makes you vulnerable to criminals. Make effort to blend in as much as you can and do well to leave as soon as you complete your mission, before your potential attackers finish hatching their plan to strike.
5. Dress modestly.
When in Rome, behave like a Roman. If you find yourself in Northern Nigeria for instance, you should make sure you wear clothes that do not reveal any parts of your body. Always look humble and dress according to the culture of the place you find yourself. If your talent endeavor requires you to wear provocative clothing, wear them within the location of the event. Don’t make yourself bait for unscrupulous people to carry out their mischief.
6. Be mindful of people you make sensitive enquiry from.
Say for instance, you need to make use of the ATM or a specific location; you must be discreet about it. You could ask questions from the wrong person who would end up directing you to a trap. Sometimes bad people carry the inscriptions all over them; you just have to be attentive and above all, seek a second or even a third opinion to verify and authenticate information
7. Pray.
Trust me; the awareness that There’s there is a supreme being or power of whatever form you believe in, looking out for you can be very reassuring and go a long way in boosting your confidence as well as physical and mental balance. Most times, prayer offers much more than just religious gains.
8. Always carry extra cash and have a contingency plan.
It is essential that you include miscellaneous expenditure in your budget especially when you travel and it is not ideal for you to expose your credit cards in a strange land. You must therefore make proper preparations for every possible situation. Ensure you carry snacks or fast foods in your travel bag and stock up on water so that you don’t have to go out late at night to buy food and always think ahead of the best way to escape from a dangerous situation even before you encounter it. You should also have a First Aid bag with you at all times.
9. Learn basic self-defense skills
Never appear timid. Always project a confident look even when you feel threatened and scared to death, that alone would make a person intending to attack you think twice after all most people can’t really tell whether you are really confident or you’re pretending. Although, sometimes you just can’t avoid a physical confrontation then, you must attack but get defensive only when your life is at stake and not at the slightest provocation.
10. Do not travel in your private vehicle or drive alone.
It is highly recommended that you use registered cabs or general buses from central bus station rather than hiring a vehicle in a place you’re not very familiar with. You should also never walk alone especially when it’s dark. It is most unlikely for a crowd to get attacked or robbed because there is strength in number; and a multitude is an intimidation to any one or two people that might want to launch an attack.
Don't forget to observe Covid_19 prevention guidelines; visit The World Health Organization or NCDC to refresh your memory and remember, the general rule is “safety first”. Please do not compromise your security and safety.
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