Ten years ago, I took my first one-month sabbatical. Upon my return, I wrote this article for the newsletter. Since then, I've taken a month off each summer. I have traveled to Spain to walk the El Camino Santiago twice. I have traveled with my wife to Italy twice and France one time. I have seen Costa Rica and Mount Rushmore. A baseball tour and a Napa wine tour. Miami and New Orleans. New York City and San Francisco. As I read the article below, it is quite interesting how much my mindset about sabbaticals has transformed.
This year I'm heading to Portugal to walk the El Camino from Lisbon to Santiago, Spain. Almost 400 miles. Many of you will be on my mind as I walk, and I promise to write of my travels upon my return.
For now… "Buen Camino!”
Webster’s Dictionary defines Sabbatical as a break or change from a normal routine.
Last month I took a full 30-day work sabbatical. No meetings. No clients. No phone calls. Very limited email. Pretty much a work detox - and it was WONDERFUL.
I have worked for 30 years and felt like it was time for a relatively brief break. I have never taken over one week off at a time. I had heard of people taking a work sabbatical before but knew little about it other than it sounded great.
I began preparation for the sabbatical almost six months ahead of time. I made arrangements for colleagues to chair my Vistage group meetings. I couldn’t help but think of the abuse substitutes in my junior high school classes were exposed to when my teacher would take a brief sabbatical and hoped my substitutes would have a better experience.
Part of my preparation was also to alert my clients and members of my plans. The response I got from both groups was very positive, supportive, and even envious. Very often I heard “I could never do that”.
