There is great value in taking sabbaticals or shorter breaks to renew your energy. Have you ever taken a sabbatical, or any type of break? AudioEnglish.com defines sabbatical as “a leave usually taken every seventh year.” Many companies allow their employees to take a sabbatical, and they build the cost into their salaries – they also share the cost as well.
Although, a sabbatical is a great idea, and offers the opportunity to rejuvenate your work and career, most people are unable to take one if it is not an employment benefit. Some companies also use sabbaticals in a down economy as a way to reduce layoffs and retain valuable employees.
For business owners and other self-employed people, no work means no pay, so they are reticent in considering the advantages of a sabbatical. I have always wanted to take a sabbatical, but believed that I couldn’t afford it. But being in Jamaica was somewhat of a forced sabbatical. The change of environment gave me a different perspective on life, which was very life affirming.
Even though it was a difficult time, the break also taught me the importance of making sure you take time to participate in events that are important to you, and also the value of slowing down. In North America and other Western countries, most of us live in a 24/7 world and are always on the go.
A slower pace is not necessarily a bad thing.
During my time in Jamaica, I visited Devon House where I had Rum and Raisin ice cream and took the photo of the bananas. Devon House is voted as having the third best ice cream in the world. While traveling from Savanna-la-mar (Westmoreland, Jamaica ) to Kingston, we stopped to buy breakfast from roadside vendors. Taking a break amidst the hustle and bustle was exactly what I needed.
In my book Tales of People Who Get It, interviewee Simon Grant mentions taking sabbaticals when he answers the question on integrating work and life.
“I find that the best way for me [to integrate work and life] is to allocate certain days for prioritising family and certain days for work. I tend to do best when I am focussed wholly on one thing at a time. I also prioritise holidays, and have taken two one-year travelling “sabbaticals” so far in my life – and I intend to take more. I have twice left a very successful career and started again from scratch. This can be a very important exercise for the soul and to figure out what really is important (hint – it’s not money…)”
Although there is a definition for sabbatical, I believe that you can take your own type of sabbatical. You do not have to follow the status quo, and life is what you make it. What if you took one week off and did something that you’ve always wanted to do? Or take the entire summer off and go on a road trip? The important thing is to make sure that you take frequent breaks. Take time to smell the roses before it’s too late, and make time for the people and things that are important to you.
A friend of mine is returning to Zambia for her retirement to live there, starting the end of this year, and she has asked me to visit her there. I have never been to any country in Africa. Zambia is in Southern Africa, and I have been thinking that it would be nice to visit several African countries that are in that region – Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and maybe Zimbabwe.
I have also been thinking that that would be a great trip for me to take with my niece since we travel well together. I say that travel is my hobby, and that it’s important to me, but prior to going to Jamaica, I hadn’t traveled since 2007 when I went to China (Beijing and Shanghai) and New York.
Going to Southern African would be a unique opportunity for me because I would be able interview business leaders to give you a different perspective, and I have always wanted to go on a real African safari.
There is real value in taking a break, even if it is not a sabbatical because we have to take time for renewal and rejuvenation. If you have ever taking sabbaticals, please share your experience.
Have you read?
4 Reasons Why You Need a Sabbatical
Career Break or Sabbatical? How to Decide What Is Right for You?
Things to Think About Before Taking a Sabbatical
What Does It Mean to Be a Life Entrepreneur?
Keeping Them by Sending Them Away
Reboot Your Life
Escape 101: The Four Secrets to Taking a SabbaticalTaking your Family on a Radical SabbaticalHow to Take a Sabbatical Without Taking More Than a Week OffMaking the Most of Your Sabbatical Leave
