How to get back to work after a Sabbatical

Recently, I was answering a question from an employee with 15 years of experience who had taken a sabbatical and was wondering how to get back to work.

When embarking on a professional journey, adopting a long-term perspective is crucial. A career is not a sprint to be completed in a single burst of energy; instead, it's a marathon that requires pacing, endurance, and strategic breaks. Just as marathon runners incorporate rest and recovery into their training regimen, professionals must embrace the concept of taking intermittent sabbaticals to recharge their batteries and refocus their energies.

Everybody needs Breaks: Embrace the Pause.

It's a common misconception that a successful career demands uninterrupted dedication from the moment one enters the workforce until retirement. However, this notion is not only unrealistic but also counterproductive. Even the most driven individuals need periodic breaks to prevent burnout, reassess their goals, and explore new avenues for growth. Only a foolish person would attempt to work tirelessly from the ages of 22 to 65 without any respite. Every decade, the workplace changes rapidly. Hence, one should constantly unlearn and relearn new skills rather than wishfully hoping that the skills forty years later will be the same as today. Upskilling does not need to be done through fancy degrees; it can be free YouTube courses, Udemy classes, Coursera free courses, and many others. One must stop thinking of degrees and universities and start thinking of skills. The original purpose of the university was to provide work-related skills rather than a great brand to boast about.

Seize the Opportunity to Learn New Skills

A sabbatical presents a unique opportunity to step back from the daily grind and invest in personal and professional development. This dedicated time can be used to acquire new skills, explore alternative career paths, or delve into areas of interest that may have been neglected due to the demands of a full-time job. Whether taking courses, attending workshops, or engaging in self-study, a sabbatical allows individuals to expand their knowledge and enhance their marketability.

Explore New Horizons:

For those with a strong background in sales and communication, a sabbatical can catalyze self-reflection and career exploration. This pause provides the ideal moment to ask yourself whether you wish to continue in your current job sector or venture into new adjacent functions with similar skill sets. For example, Recruiting shares skills with human resources, Sales, Customer Relationship Management and business development. With your transferable skills, you may discover a newfound passion or uncover a path that better aligns with your aspirations.

Maintain Professional Engagement through Pro Bono Work

While taking a break from traditional employment, it's essential to maintain a connection to the professional world. Engaging in pro bono work, particularly with startups and smaller companies, can be an excellent way to stay active and contribute your expertise while sharpening your skills. Not only does this prevent gaps in your resume, but it also provides opportunities for networking and potentially unveiling new career avenues. Pro Bono work also plays the critical role of giving back to the community, something that working professionals have no time for.

Bridging the Gap: The Startup Option

If maintaining a continuous employment record is a priority, consider dedicating your sabbatical to launching a startup venture. By pursuing an entrepreneurial endeavour, you can gain invaluable experiences and a tangible accomplishment to showcase on your resume. This approach eliminates the perceived gap and demonstrates your initiative, problem-solving abilities, and resilience – skills highly valued by potential employers.

Commit to the Journey: A Minimum of 2-3 Years

A sabbatical is not a fleeting respite but a purposeful journey requiring a substantial time investment. While a one-year break may seem appealing, this short period may not be enough to reap the benefits of a sabbatical fully. A minimum of two to three years allows ample time to explore new avenues, acquire meaningful skills, and gain a fresh perspective. Embrace this extended period as an opportunity for personal and professional growth, trusting that the rewards will outweigh any initial apprehensions. Even though the minimum is about three years, ideally I think about five years is needed to explore a path completely. A top VC investor in India also mentioned three years as a right horizon to keep in mind. Note that 3-5 years is a long time by conventional standards, so one needs a lot of savings to stay this course. Clearly, a sabbatical decision has to be planned about 6-10 years in advance.

Embrace the Decision: A Life-Altering Choice

Ultimately, taking a sabbatical is a courageous and potentially life-altering choice. It requires stepping away from the familiar and embracing the unknown with open arms. However, it's important to remember that this decision is not a leap into the abyss but a calculated risk that could yield immense intrinsic rewards. A year of devoted time with your family may be more fulfilling than a year of working for a company even if pay was increased dramatically. Pay jumps come up with an even higher increase in workload. Typically one gets a 20-30% increase in pay for a 100% increase in work.

Money can always be attained later, as wealth highly correlates with age. However, time, once lost, can never be regained. The time to experiment and do something totally new is not unlimited; one cannot be in one's fifties and sixties trying to experiment. Again, these ideas vary from person to person, depending on where they are in life, their expectations, desires, providence, and how susceptible they are to peer pressure. By allowing yourself the time and space to recharge, explore, and grow, you may discover new passions, forge unexpected paths, and ultimately unlock a renewed sense of purpose and fulfilment in your career journey.

If you are a visual learner, check up my video.