Despite numerous stories extolling the profound rewards of taking time away, it’s an idea that is not being as heartily embraced as it might be. In fact, many people find the whole notion downright terrifying.
Because the notion of regular sabbaticals throughout our lifetime has been so ignored in recent times, there’s some confusion over what constitutes a true sabbatical.
My definition of sabbatical is time away with a purpose. The purpose of such a time is not to abandon your life, but to enrich it.
In the original concept, first defined in the Old Testament book of Hebrews, a sabbatical was to be taken by everyone, every seven years. During this year off, fields were to lie fallow, debts were to be forgiven, relationships were to be repaired and introspection was encouraged.
Over time, of course, the notion disappeared and today many people don’t even observe a weekly Sabbath, much less consider an entire year of restoration.
What about a mini-sabbatical? A change of scenery that’s more than a vacation can be a powerful catalyst for new ideas, new directions.
Think you’re a candidate? Whether you’re in a year divisible by seven or not, here are several signs that it is the perfect time to consider a sabbatical of your own:
° You can’t remember the last time you had a new idea you were excited about.
° You’ve reached all of your goals.
° You’ve reached none of your goals.
° Your kids think you’re a nerd and you suspect they’re right.
° You have a nagging suspicion that you’d be really good at something if you only had time to learn how to do it.
° You get wistful every time a plane flies overhead.
° Nobody ever asks you what’s new.
° A long-term relationship or career has come to an end.
° You’re ready to find a new hometown.
° You’re tired of being an armchair traveler and want to see distant lands for yourself.
° You feel drawn to donate your time and talents to a humanitarian cause.
° You need time to do research or start a long-term project.
° Your soul is weary.
And if you aren’t ready to change the scenery, why not give yourself a break by discovering the world around you? One very busy entrpreneur, Arianna Huffington, shares her summer vacation that didn’t include boarding a plane.
Hey Barbara: Just finished listening to your Idea Safari series today. I saved them on Itunes and copied to a CD to listen in my car. And then checking my Facebook and here you have posted just what my weary soul needs. Yes – a sabbatical. Went ahead a booked 2 days at Whistler, BC. I don’t ski so the fall is a perfect time for a soul-searching retreat. Thanks for reading my prayers on what to do next in life.
I’m still working toward my sabbatical. I get dreamy-eyed when I see a plane. Italy images keep popping up. Time to listen to the signs!
I am just finishing week one of my Sabbatical. I read your list and many of them apply to me, but most importantly, I haven’t taken action on many of my bright ideas for a long time. So, after dropping the kids off at college – they both go to the same private college in San Antonio – I am off on a road trip.
Time off with a purpose is a good definition of what I am doing. My purpose is to reconnect with Nature and People and create wealth for myself and my family while clarifying my purpose in life. I know what it is, but none of the forms thus far has felt fully satisfying, though some were awesome and have out lived their usefulness.
So, Here I am sitting at a Cici’s Pizza Buffet Restaurant, not for the purpose of stuffing myself, but for using their free WIFI to work, working on my Adventures in Self Realization blog, having fun – making balloon animals for the kids of all ages – and making money in the process.
Life is GRAND and getting better.
Thanks for the timely post
Rasheed
You know, Rasheed, when I took my sabbatical the purpose was Creative Renewal. People kept asking me beforehand, “What are you going to do when you get back?” and I’d tell them, “I don’t know. I’m going with questions, not answers.” However, I was prepared to abandon my business, if that’s what my heart was telling me. That isn’t how it turned out, though. To my delight, I came back and discovered I’d fallen in love all over again with my business so I picked up where I left off.
Do keep me posted on your adventure.