How to Sabbatical
Sabbaticals are glorious. An event that many people dream of, yet few take. Why?
Because it’s not a common practice if you have a “real job.” Not many companies offer sabbatical programs. So, when a person takes a sabbatical, it has to be self-funded and managed. And, depending on where one is at in their career, it can be scary to jump off a career track, take a break, and not know how she’s going to re-enter upon return. It’s easier if you are taking a break between undergrad and graduate school, say. But in other points in one’s career that fear and the precariousness of taking a sabbatical are frankly quite real.
How do I know? Because I did it.
I took a 7 ½ month sabbatical. I desperately needed it after working 20 plus years in the corporate world which included a stint at a start-up and 6 years in agency life. It doesn’t help that I’m naturally a hard worker, striving for excellence and enjoying being productive and accomplishing projects and tasks. Yes, I’m one of those list people who get a hit of dopamine when I cross things off my list.
Yet, here I am admitting I took a sabbatical, and I’m anxious in doing so. I think there’s a stigma around taking sabbaticals. On the one hand, I think most people are jealous of anyone who takes one. I think everyone would like to go on sabbatical, but few take the leap. And here’s why. I think it goes beyond the ability to find space in one’s life or finding the budget to fund it. I think there’s fear in how it’s perceived by the work world. And unfortunately, I think that stigma is real, even in the supposedly progressive Bay Area where I live. The tech focus and hard-driving transplants to the West coast have changed the vibe out here.
Companies might make it mean you aren’t serious about your career or that you aren’t employable. Yet, I think it actually says the opposite. In our 24/7 work world, we are always on and simply work too much in today’s work environment. If you are an achiever and push for excellence, it’s that much more likely you’ll reach a point of exhaustion. In my situation, I hit that point, because I care too deeply about my work, am overly committed, and am highly responsible, allowing myself to get lost in serving others’ needs and delivering on the work in front of me, rather than prioritizing my own life needs. Also, I was and am employable. I left my job before my sabbatical by my choice and was even asked to come back, which helped fund and provide my runway.
I knew I needed a break, yet it still took me five years to take one, after the first time I admitted to a friend that I really needed and wanted some space and time off.
But the stigma held me back, and life got in the way. When I thought I was going to take my break, I ended up getting a job offer that I thought was a good opportunity to get experience I needed. Plus, my husband ended up deciding to leave his company at the same time, which was a smart move but delayed my own time off. During the four years total of time at the company I joined, I desperately looked for ways to get the break and flexibility I desired and needed since I didn’t take significant time off between jobs. I negotiated three weeks off upfront in the early months of my start, because I was asked to join right away. The company was great and progressive, allowing me to work part-time during part of my employment, but then I did side gigs resulting in taking on too much. I even tested a start-up venture! The result? I still didn’t give myself the break I really needed.
So one year, I finally took the plunge. And in honesty, I should have planned more and better.
Or gone into it with eyes more wide open. It’s interesting that I didn’t. I’m a planner, prudent, and risk averse. Yet, I plunged in. I think I reached a point where I just had to do it. I couldn’t keep going and going. I knew I needed a break and wanted it. So, I just did it.
In reality then and now, all is good and fine, and I’m finding my way through the next phase of my career still over two years later. But my husband and I can honestly say we are so glad we took the time and travelled as we did that year. That time off filled me up so much that it continues to pay dividends. So frequently over the dinner table, we pull out pictures from our trips that year and reminisce, taking ourselves back to the joy of our travels, our time away, our time together, our pauses and simply enjoying life and the world around us.
Having spoken with others who have taken sabbaticals, I thought it would be helpful to write this Guide and share with all of you sabbatical dreamers what to consider when planning a sabbatical.
A sabbatical can serve as a form of transition. As William Bridges writes in the renowned book of the same name, transitions have three common stages: 1) an ending, 2) a neutral zone, and 3) a new beginning. These are the same stages as a rite of passage. Thus, we offer ideas on how to manage through each of these sabbatical stages.
With that as a framework, we provide these additional articles and ideas on the following topics with links below:
First off, know that when you are in the ending stage and preparing for a sabbatical, you should prepare both internally and externally. You need to deal with your internal world—your emotions and mindset—and the outside world, like handling all the practical matters. When you’re on your sabbatical and in the neutral zone, allow space for exploration. And be clear on what you want out of the “time away.” For this period, we offer tips on how to Be and what to Do during this time. Then when you are ready for your new beginning, be prepared to chart your course as you come out the other side. Some pre-thought to this will be helpful, yet also don’t be too planful ahead of time as to allow for serendipity and for the sabbatical to do its work.
Now, a final point. We don’t believe that all sabbaticals have to be prolonged times away.
Breaks, as we write here, can take on different shapes, sizes, time periods, and more. Pauses are helpful, and time away from day to day life can be rejuvenating. These don’t have to be months or years of time; rather, they can be hours you take for yourself or a long weekend or a week or month. Don’t let the idea of Sabbatical mean you have to take a long, extended period of time. Figure out something that will work for your needs, circumstances, and budget. That’s why we offer the last article on “How to Sabbatical on different time frames.”
With that, let’s get you better informed and comfortable with How to Sabbatical, and then we hope to meet you on the other side of your own break and pause away.
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