While my kids were on winter break, I came across this awesome Ted Talk by Stefan Sagmeister. Stefan is a designer in New York and every 7 years, he closes his firm completely for one full year. I personally don’t know anyone who would be able to take an entire year off work every 7 years, but the concept, even on a small scale, is something to think about.
He gives examples of other successful companies {google and 3M} that provide time for their employees to pursue personal projects, and admits, that even during his own sabbaticals, he often comes up with the motivation and ideas he needs to successfully sustain his design business for another 7 years. I like the idea of going out and experiencing the world in a different way, I feel like you would come back with a new set of eyes. Maybe that’s why I like to travel so much?
I read a couple of the comments from other people who had watched the video. One person, noted {pretty accurately, I think}: “The concept doesn’t require a full year…the point here is that getting out of daily “box” can be healthy for creativity/inspiration. His business requires that and he can probably charge more for his work because of the level of creativity.”
Life gets so daily. Job, kids, marriage–lather, rinse, repeat. I can see how changing things up a bit from time to time might make you appreciate the life you have built for yourself all over again. Another commentor summed it up quite nicely, “I’m also behind this. Time off from any routine can be a big help, especially with perspective. You have a better appreciation for what you’ve been doing, why you were doing in the first place, and what makes it important to you. Then with those things in mind, you can think more clearly about it and make better decisions in the future. I believe that time off can have a very powerful influence in the long run.”
Have any of you ever taken a sabbatical? What were the results?
~Mavis
ChrisM says
I try to eat local when I can. I live in SW Michigan where the growing season is about 3-4 months. Nothing is ready until Strawberries in June and most food is done by October. We do have lots of farming here and u-pic farms so we can pick strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, peaches, cherries, apples. We can even u-pic vegetables. Lots of farm stands too.
I can jams, jellies, peaches, and applesauce. I freeze corn, green beans, berries, cherries. Butternut squash I wash with a vinegar wash and it stays all winter in my basement on a shelf.
I have a pressure canner but I’m too chicken to use it. It’s a goal to learn to use it this year!
Even though I do all of that, I only have so much room in my freezer (large upright). So I buy fresh produce at the store, like carrots, broccoli, etc. Oranges and pineapples, bananas, we don’t grow in Michigan. I was so excited to see a lemon tree in California, I got out to take a picture when I was on vacation! Same with an olive tree : ) I do love those little Clementines in winter! So I guess you could say I have a balance of local and shipped in foods here.
ChrisM says
Oops posted under wrong article! Sorry
Kendra says
I’m 18 months away from being eligible for my 8 week sabbatical. Not that I’m counting or anything. 😉
Mavis Butterfield says
WOW!!!! I’m excited for you. 🙂 🙂 🙂
Jane says
I took a month off from blogging this past August and again in December. It’s a sabbatical of sorts since I can’t really pick up and leave my job:-). I’m planning on doing it again in the spring. It’s freeing for me- leaves me room to focus on other things and while I do miss it, there are days I don’t think about it at all and that’s nice. I’m always ready to start up again and can relate to one of the people you quoted- I come back with new ideas- it’s fun all the way around:-).
Mavis Butterfield says
I love you Jane!!
Marie says
So timely! I’m just tying up my first year sabbatical. I’ve had the time to read, reflect and re-energize. I’m so happy I found your blog (!), built a small urban garden, canned/froze our harvest, clipped coupons to save on expenses and walked with friends 3 days a week. There’s just so much to do when there is time to enjoy what you are doing! As my mom used to say, “There’s always more time than money or more money than time”. How true. Thanks for all that you share!
Heather M. says
I am currently taking a year off work. or more. I have worked non stop for twenty years and was about at my breaking point. I think if I had had more time off during the years, I would not have gotten to the point that I am now. My job was really stressful, and any time off at all (even sick time) was frowned upon.
Mavis Butterfield says
Good for you Heather, I’m glad to hear you are taking time off. I think we would all benefit from more time off.
Stacey says
My husband is a teacher, and I am his teacher’s aide. The time off for Christmas break and summer are essential. Usually we have projects to do, and I have a second job that I am able to focus on, as well as college classes for me and recertification credits for my husband. The shift in focus is a breath of fresh air. By the end of the breaks, we miss the kids and feel ready to plunge back in and give the kids all we’ve got. I also apply this principle to working out. I’m not an athlete or anything, but I try to get a good amount of exercise and am now 35 pounds lighter than I was 12 years ago. Sometimes, I take a week off and find that I feel ready step it up after I’ve given my body a rest. I’m sure many areas of our lives would benefit from this since we are productive people and are not just looking for an excuse to be lazy.
Suzanne Lowrie says
Yes, I am currently on sabbatical! I was working as a Registered Nurse, in Management at a small hospital. Since I was the only person responsible for my program, I could not easily get any amount of time off. I was burning out by missing the kids’ school events and general growing up. With my son beginning high school, and my daughter beginning middle school this past August, I felt that they needed me home more. They not only needed some support and guidance, but also drives to and from their far away bus stop. I asked work if I could work part-time, take on another part-time roll, or any of the solutions I offered. They told me no. With much talking it over with my husband, and figuring out a one-income budget, I took the plunge and left my job. I will be taking the next two years at least off with them. It has been a blessing being able to have slower days of cooking and cleaning, organizing, and caring for the family… and myself. On Tuesday of this week, my appendix perforated, which led me to the hospital for an emergency appendectomy. At this time, I can heal in peace without work breathing down my neck and pressuring me to “get better, and get back in!”
Mavis Butterfield says
Oh Suzanne, I hope you are better soon. 🙁
Kim says
I’m on a day long sabbatical today. My job can suck the life right out of you if you don’t get a way from time to time. They all take it way too seriously. It was either a day off or a complete meltdown.
Heather says
I have been on one for almost three years now (after working full time for 20+ years at a stressful job). Daughter was graduating from high school (and extended family that lives the next state over needed some help) so I figured would take off a year, which has turned into longer. At times I would like a part-time job, but that means I need to change careers and I haven’t figured out what I want to be when I ‘grow up’ yet.