Does this sounds like you?
You went to university and got a ‘good’ job. You worked your tail off for years and now you’re exhausted. Some days you think maybe it’s just time to move on, that the “grass is greener” at another company in your industry.
On bad days you find yourself daydreaming about the good old days of being a student, free from responsibility. So what do you think you want to do, go back to school?
Are you sure? Is the reason you want to spend years earning an MBA, going to law school, medical school or…? because you really LOVE what you do and the lifestyle it provides you? Are you going back to get an advanced degree because you’re passionate about your work and want to develop more specialized skills in it because it makes you feel so happy and fulfilled?
Are you prepared to spend years of your life and a ton of money because you’re convinced grad school is the best way to continue living the life of your dreams? If you’re sure, then I say, go for it! But if you’re not, here’s an option you may not have considered – take a career break. (Wait, what? Do people really do that?)
What IS a Career Break?
They come in many forms, lengths of times and for different reasons, but basically, it’s exactly what you probably think it sounds like – a break – from what you’ve been doing to pay the bills. For some women, a career break may be time taken to focus on starting a family, perhaps due to a move because of a family member in military service, to take time for research and writing to contribute in a chosen field.
For an increasing number of people, career breaks or sabbaticals are simply for anyone who takes a break for a period of time to refocus themselves and their work. It could be three months to a year or more but it’s time away for you to invest in yourself and your life. (Wasn’t that the idea with grad school anyway?)
What Do You DO During a Career Break?
That is uniquely up to you – and that’s part of the fun of it! You get to do exactly what YOU want to do. For me, like many people, it’s meant taking time to travel the world, at least for some of the break.
Do you want to learn a foreign language? Could it help you in your current (or dream) career? Wish you had time to volunteer for your favorite charity? Would you be willing to volunteer to learn new career skills?
Maybe you’ve toyed with the idea of starting your own business so you have more flexibility for family life or other reasons. You CAN! Ultimately, though many people do travel during a career break, it’s about so much more than just a holiday.
As one of my favorite career breakers, Michael Bontempi, explains:
“…at the end of the day, the choice to take a career break is not just about the travel – it’s about you. It’s about trying to reflect on all that you have accomplished and what you haven’t and determining if the current path you’re on will eventually put more in that “accomplished” category.”
Why You’ll Say You Can’t
#1 – I Can’t Afford It (also known as) I Don’t Have Enough Money. (Umm, how were you planning on paying for grad school?) Taking a career break doesn’t have to mean using all of your life savings or leaving you penniless after.
Try this – take out a piece of paper and make an (honest) list of your usual monthly expenses (rent, food, transportation costs, gym memberships, entertainment, etc). Add in things that happen annually, new tires for a car, maybe the short holiday you take in the summer, an extra dress or two you buy around the holidays…it adds up!
Look at the list again and think about what you could cut, even for a short time (a few months, a year?) to save money. Could you make coffee at home instead of a $5 Starbucks run? Are you really using your gym membership 2-3 x a week like you planned when you signed up for it? Can you lower your monthly call minutes on your mobile plan?
Would you really care about buying that new dress if you knew it would pay for a week (or longer!) of accomodation while traveling in parts of Asia or South America?
#2 – It’ll Look Bad On My Resume. Actually, it’ll be fine. I know of several people who’ve taken career breaks and all were able to get jobs after, many of them better jobs. Recruiters are always looking for people who are creative problem-solvers, good team players, people who are excited and passionate about their work. It’s a lot easier to be that person if you’re well-rested and confident you’ve consciously chosen the work you’re doing.
Career Breakers are clear-headed, have taken time to evaluate priorities and know what they’re committed to. They’ve usually learned the value of balance and continually find ways to recharge their batteries and bring new ideas to the table.
Considerations: If you’re near retirement you may want to consider what impact taking a career break has on your pension plan. Check fine print rules to see what conditions may apply to you.
How To Decide If It’s a Good Time for a Career Break
Career breaks are perfect for times of change. Or as I like to think of them, periods of personal “reinvention.” Even just an intense desire for change may be an indicator of if a break is a good choice for you.
Maybe you just feel worn out and have a feeling a 2-week holiday just isn’t going to fix it. Maybe you want something in your life to be different but aren’t even sure how. That’s ok! That’s an excellent reason to take a break – to give yourself the breathing space and time to figure it out.
Think about it, instead of fumbling through an interview for just another job at just another company, if you give yourself a break you’re giving yourself the time and energy to really consider, what does and doesn’t work for you in your current situation. And you’ll be in a better frame of mind to explain what you hope to find in – and can bring to – a new work opportunity.
I’m not saying you should quit your job tomorrow – not at all! And if you do want to take a career break, a bit of planning will make for a much more enjoyable and useful break. But if the only idea you’re really struggling with is that taking a break sounds almost too good to be true or is too risky well, the greatest rewards often come out of being brave enough to take a risk.
My life is living proof.
Not sure how to get started? Let’s work on that together, starting HERE
The post What IS a Career Break and Should You Take One? appeared first on Another Way Rox.
