Greetings! It’s been a while since I’ve shown up — even on my own website. I’ve been on a bit of a sabbatical, and I have to say that it has been worth every minute. I’m looking forward to connecting with you again… but in the meantime, I’d love to tell you about my sabbatical and what I’ve learned from it.
The Lost Value of a Sabbatical
Last fall, I decided I needed to step back from my business and my writing and, most of all, from social media. Unknowingly, I took a kind of sabbatical, although not for the traditional full year – and not with full pay. 😊
However, it truly has been an invaluable time for me, both personally and professionally, although it has seemed like an enormous risk. What if everyone has forgotten about me? What if I can’t get back in the game? And, of course, oh no, the algorithms will hate me.
But even if the word of that is true, I don’t have even one regret.
We typically associate sabbaticals with academia. They are a paid year off for rest, research or writing. I’m not sure how often it’s implemented even in the academic world anymore, but it certainly isn’t a concept that is applied in the corporate world or anywhere in business.
Given the fast-paced nature of our lives today, the concept seems not only outdated but impossible. Are you shaking your head right now?
But it might be a concept that needs revisiting.
Maybe not for a full year.
Probably not every seven years, which is when they are traditionally taken in academia.
Although there’s a reason behind those timeframes.
The Story Behind the Concept of Sabbatical
Interestingly, the word and concept of sabbatical has its roots in the Jewish Bible, according to Merriam-Webster. The reference comes from Leviticus, and it refers to the commandment to take an entire year of rest not only for humans, but also for the land (and presumably the working animals as well) every seven years.
Think about it.
An entire year of not working your crops or your vineyards, not sowing or harvesting. An entire year of living off the proceeds of the last six years – or maybe your neighbors who are not on a sabbatical year. An entire year of doing… nothing? Or maybe something completely different.
What would you do with a year off?
Of course, the corporate world (and academia) offers the option to take leaves of absence in specific circumstances. For instance, if you need to care for an ailing family member, a new baby, or your own health, you can take leave.
But we often hesitate to take them. Do you? Or are you afraid that you will be penalized when you return to the office? Or not invited to return at all?
Let’s face it. Many of us don’t even take all of our earned vacation time.
Which is a mistake. Really. I know you think it means that you are working hard and being a good team player – and I’m sure you are – but not taking breaks only leads to breakdowns.
What I Learned
So, let me share what I’ve learned from my own sabbatical:
- My mental and physical health improved when I wasn’t putting myself under constant pressure to perform, to write, to create social media posts.
- After some time away, I was able to see more clearly what parts of my work were causing the most stress and develop specific plans about how to deal with them.
- I was able to deal with some major life events, including moving, with more focus and attention to detail. Things got done that probably wouldn’t have if I had been “working”. I was able, with my husband, to choose and establish our new “nest” quickly and efficiently. It’s a place that now supports and nourishes us rather than being just another burden.
Yes, it’s been hard to walk away. All the gurus say that consistency is the most important thing – social media, at work, in life. I’ve had my share of guilt and misgivings along the way.
But what I’ve realized is that consistency is only important if you’re doing the “right things”. And I don’t mean the “right things” as defined by everyone else. I mean the right things for you.
So, ask yourself:
Are you consistently doing what you know to be right for you?
Or are you just being consistent with what you’ve always done, even though that might not be working anymore?
I’m glad I took my sabbatical. I needed it.
Now, I’m energized and refreshed and tremendously excited about writing book three of the Ascending Ladders series. I’m about 25% of the way in and finally having fun with it. I’m getting excited about sharing it with you early next year.
I also have some new strategies for social media, which means that you will not be seeing my newsletter every two weeks, instead of every week. And there may be a break now and again for vacations. 😊
Thank you for being patient with me.
I’d love to hear how and when you’ve taken sabbaticals – big or little ones. If you haven’t taken one, what would you do if you could?
