I used to think of a sabbatical as being for three to six months or more, often a year.
However, yesterday I saw an article, an interview with Chip Conley, which had in the header the thought:
A Sabbatical Can Look Any Way You Want It To—if There’s Intention Behind Your Time Off
In a way, my recently completed five-month colon cancer journey was a sabbatical, as I was very intentional about what I would do and not do and where I would place my focus.
That said, I can also see myself taking a sabbatical (of at least three months, involving travel) at some point in the next couple of years. Hmm, what can I be intentional about?
One sabbatical theme that comes up often for me with clients and others is the idea of taking time between jobs. Yes, this is only truly possible if one has a financial position to allow it, but if so, I highly encourage people looking to make a major change to a) first totally switch off for at least two months, then b) take another month or two to think widely about their options. This way they go 3-4 months without leaping to talk to recruiters or go on a job search. If you are in this position, I’m happy to jump on a call, then (as always) first listen, and then see what insights flow for you.
A colleague took what she called a “radical sabbatical” (and far more radical than the one month Chip used to offer to Joie de Vivre hotel employees, though that was radical in that environment). That colleague saw that they could take their primary school-age children out of school for a year, buy an RV and “roam school” them for a year in Europe. Having proven to themselves (in working with our business for a few years) that they could be entrepreneurial and find their way in business without being formally employed, this confidence informed their choice to take that year out. Since they came back they and their spouse have both taken their careers in new directions.
One more thought, at MEA (Modern Elder Academy), Chip runs “Sabbatical Sessions” for one or two weeks, with some programming available while you take time off. In my mind, I question whether anything less than at least two months can be a sabbatical as I feel you need that time to really benefit. That said, again Chip’s line above is giving me pause for thought.
Chip’s interview is here. Well worth a read.