The True Value of Taking a Sabbatical

Have you ever taken paid leave of absence to pursue an interest that wasn’t related to your work? It used to be very fashionable towards the end of the last century but, with the modern pressures on companies and organisations to extract every last ounce of value from their staff, it doesn’t seem to be popular anymore. But it’s still a great idea. It’s unfortunate that the drive for increased efficiency and short-term profit has dissuaded many companies from offering this excellent benefit to their staff.

The research behind the idea supported the view that a long break, away from the pressures and daily stresses of work and dedicated to developing new skills and knowledge, would promote greater creativity and better health amongst the senior managers who were usually chosen to take part in these exercises. Some companies would grant an astonishing twelve-month leave of absence to senior staff to promote greater wellbeing and improved productivity. Are you imagining how great that would be for you?

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do

than by the things you did do.

– Mark Twain

Most people slip into a blissful reverie when they think about the benefits of a paid leave of absence, as if it represents an amazing but unobtainable dream. Yet, it’s encouraging to note that sabbaticals are still offered by various organisations today – though usually for two or three weeks rather than for a full year. And the benefits are well worth a planned absence from the grindstone.

We all benefit enormously from a change of scene and a welcome disruption to the daily routine. It encourages us to think differently. It can be very stimulating. Some sabbaticals encourage the acquisition of new sets of skills. This could be anything from learning to paint, sculpt or draw, sail a boat, study a language, develop new sports or physical skills – the list is almost endless. The point of the experience is to discover new ways of thinking and this is one of the great benefits that people bring back to their work environment when they return from their period of absence. People feel mentally and physically refreshed. Yet, despite the enormous appeal of the sabbatical, it isn’t really a holiday.

I am not the same, having seen the moon shine on the other side of the world.

– Mary Anne Radmacher

Because the sabbatical is usually sponsored by the employer, it does not include the rest of the employee’s family. It might be a great deal of fun but it certainly isn’t a beach vacation. It’s an opportunity for an individual to work in an unfamiliar environment, perhaps sampling new cultures, working under unfamiliar conditions and even with people he or she has never met before. The change in routine can trigger very positive responses and, whilst most people obviously love and miss their families, the couple of weeks away from the familiar patterns of family life can help people appreciate their nearest and dearest from a fresh perspective. Absence really can make the heart grow fonder.

We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.

― Jawaharlal Nehru

But what can you do if a sabbatical isn’t an option? Is there an effective alternative? Let’s be realistic: a two- or three-week break is always going to produce better results than a couple of days relaxing at the beach. That’s why sabbaticals are so helpful.

But, in the absence of a chance to get away to a completely fresh, new and stimulating experience, it can still be very helpful to arrange for a change of scene as often as possible. Even if it’s only for a couple of days. This is particularly important if you’re investing a lot of time into your career or business plans. The harder you work, the more important it is for you to get away. Burnout is a serious problem that’s affecting more and more people today. It’s a result of pushing too hard without taking time to rest, recover and recuperate. Your mind needs a chance to process and digest all the data you’ve been working with. You need to take a step back from the workload and assess what you’re doing and how you’re doing it. And that means being able to see things from a fresh and clear perspective.

The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.

― Augustine of Hippo

Creating a physical separation from your work by getting away for a couple of days is like creating a mini-sabbatical for yourself. It doesn’t have to considered as some kind of reward. It’s more like a maintenance programme for your wellbeing and your creativity.

The change in scenery will help you to see your circumstances with greater objectivity. Problems that had caused you to furrow your brow and chew your pencil in puzzlement will suddenly seem much easier to resolve. Your priorities will shift. You might suddenly appreciate that you’ve been worrying too much about the insignificant details instead of focusing on the truly relevant aspects of your plans for success. This is one of the great benefits of getting away for a couple of days and breathing some fresh air in a new location. The change of scene can stimulate a corresponding change in how you think and feel.

Two roads diverged in a wood and I – I took the one less traveled by.

-      Robert Frost

Taking a break is essential if you want to function at peak efficiency. It isn’t a luxury or an example of self-indulgence. It’s an intelligent response to the pressures of modern life. You’ll feel better, you’ll think more clearly and your capacity to process information will be enhanced. Once you appreciate the benefits of these necessary breaks from the daily routine, you’ll incorporate them into your plans so that they become an integral and positive part of your plans for a happier and more successful life.

Why do you go away? So that you can come back. So that you can see the place you came from with new eyes and extra colors. And the people there see you differently, too. Coming back to where you started is not the same as never leaving.

-      Terry Pratchett

Are you ready right now for a completely fresh approach to life’s great adventure? Get in touch with us today for a free session to discover how the growing global movement for personal growth, success, change and empowerment can enhance your life!

Greg Parry created The Wellness Foundation and the Cognitive Empowerment Programs specifically to help people master their stress, overcome their limitations and explore the power of their true potential.

If you enjoy these blogs, you can imagine how much fun it is to have Greg in the room as an inspirational and highly perceptive speaker. If you’d like to invite Greg to talk to your company or organisation or event, feel free to get in touch.

You can contact Greg directly whilst our websites are under ee-construction at:

greg.parry@thewellnessfoundation.eu