Step Out. Step Up.
Our local food pantry executive director, Timothy Evans, wrote an eloquent essay, “Who Are You Gonna Listen To?” for the June Manna Food Bank-Pensacola’s newsletter. Evans ponders the obscure economic indicators celebrity economists use to discern the message of the economic recovery he keeps hearing about on broadcast news. He says he’s hardly encouraged since the message of [...]
A good friend is packing up to move six states to the east – closer to the ocean where it won’t snow. Without a job for over a year, she figures her spirit will get a boost in new surroundings where the sun shines more days than in Cincinnati. In no time she’ll be inspired to tackle a future [...]
Faced with the decision of moving toward a break in your career involves many moving parts. The negotiation with your boss, the planning and execution, and assuring positive outcomes for you and your company – all deserve to be well thought-out.
But spinning wheels over and over ideas are what some of us are really good [...]
You’re thinking of negotiating a sabbatical and what you really want to do with your time away is satisfy your need for a first-rate outdoor adventure and physical challenge. But you’re in virgin territory, in a company where no one has ever asked for a sabbatical before …. and not everyone can appreciate your idea [...]
As more and more organizations investigate the best design for sabbatical programs, the sabbatical-by-application option could be the design that stands out. Already used in many universities, the by-application program means you will be in competition with your peers for the number of sabbatical slots available.
In a competition for a sabbatical, how can you make [...]
I received an email from Brendan McGovern, CFO of Meetup, and here’s what was below his name:
**SABBATICAL NOTICE**
–
From Feb 4 - May 16, I will be out of the office enjoying Meetup’s sabbatical program. I will be traveling around the world, and per Meetup sabbatical policy, will not be checking email & not working. Sound nice? [...]
Planning a year sabbatical can be an exciting time, but it can also be a daunting task, especially for a business owner like Karen Bloom. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of her company, as well as her 60th birthday, Karen plans to take a sabbatical in the year 2012. In order to [...]
I believe in being the best mom or dad you can be, just not at the expense of living the life you want for yourself. Asked when one plans to accomplish some of the things that he/she has identified on the “dream list,” here are familiar responses:
Just as soon as the kids get a [...]
Not one of us would trade places with the 33 Chilean miners pulled to safety yesterday after 69 days trapped in a mine. And maybe that’s too bad. According to media reports, many of those men will begin to live their lives very differently.
Their group “career break” has allowed them an enviable perspective. After [...]
Sabbaticals and career breaks are amazing experiences – or can be. But sometimes listening to individuals express their ideas about what they’d like to do is as exciting as exploring competing healthcare plans. Why? The ideas are vague, not aligned to specific personal or career goals and reflect small-inside-the-box thinking.
Here’s what people have said when asked what they [...]
Ever mull over a decision until it was too late to get it right? Or spend a lot of energy agonizing on what to do in a dilemma? Are you such a slow decision maker that life is passing you by as you ponder about a career break, finding work you love or seeking a [...]
A raft of new research suggests spending money on an experience will make you happier than those new shoes or a Borsalino Super Fino Montecristi Men’s Fedora ($950).
“We’re moving from a conspicuous consumption – which is ‘buy without regard’ – to a ‘calculated consumption,’” says Marshal Cohen, an analyst at the NPD Group, a retailing [...]
I’m disappointed. I expected the reviews on the new movie, Eat, Pray, Love, to be better. They’re not so hot.
“… be warned that you are diving into a movie with the spiritual and emotional depth of a birdbath.” – St. Louis Suburban Journal.
“A bloated monster of a movie. … gargantuan running time.” – Cinema [...]
Forget the backpack and walking sticks. Ditch the health goals. To set your eyes on a place or thing is all it takes for an extraordinary sabbatical experience.
People returning from a career break often talk about the impact of the expereince by describing something they saw, not something they did.
What they carry back into the real world [...]
Last month I spent a week on a walking tour in the Northern Lakes District of England with poet, David Whyte. In community with 21 others, I experienced the pastures and mountains, villages, locals, cuisine, pubs and sheep (lots of sheep) of the region. The treks were challenging; so is life. No matter your age, title, or size of [...]
Sabbaticals should be designed as memorable journeys. Start now by carving out 15 minutes of silence.
You might have a 3-, 4-, or 10-week break from your career that’s either being offered up by your employer or one that you’re doing on your own. Picture that time filled with nothing as of yet. Now, think of the [...]
When yourSABBATICAL offered me a guest blog spot, I happily took the leap. This is one of my favorite sites and subjects—and my soul grins knowing that other wandering, kindred spirits are out there. Are you one too?
If so, then please plan ahead to join us at the First Annual Sabbatical Summit, a overdue gathering [...]
Inspired by a fifth-century conversation between Zi Zhang and Confucius about the practices of wise rulers in The Analects, here are five excellent practices for those taking time out from jobs and careers. Even those who have no sabbatical in sight can cultivate a sabbatical mindset using these best practices.
Practice the arts of attention and [...]
Need help with your promise keeping?
Based on personal experience and scholarly research, Dean Karlan, Economics Professor at Yale and Co-Founder of StickK, envisioned an online ‘Commitment Store’ where people would come to sign contracts obliging them to achieve their personal goals.
StickK is a concept based on two well-known principles of behavioral economics:People don’t always do [...]
Remember Elderhostel? That learning program company where you needed to be old and stay in a dorm room? It’s gone.
On first glance, I always thought I would sign up for one of their programs. After I turned 50 and was a full-fledged AARP member, I had fun perusing the Elderhostel catalog of adventures that someday [...]
A sabbatical without a plan is a vacation. And while you might think that just getting “away on vacation” will fill your energy bowl – you are mistaken.
A planned, career break with goals gets you closer to rejuvenation. But if you seek sustainable, energy renewal to bring back to your life and career, your [...]
A good amount of attention has been paid to Stefan Sagmeister – on the social media sites, including the TED community – for his inspiring (although not unique, as we on this site know) year-long sabbaticals that he takes every seven years.
The famous designer has taken two year-long sabbaticals. The first was in 2001 at [...]
Who will do your work while you’re away on sabbatical? While some people plan carefully for this aspect of a successful career sabbatical, just as many don’t.
As a result, here are some of the worst things people will have to say about you in your absence:He just dumped his work on us without much [...]