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Sabbatical, are you thinking about it?
2019-07-31
4 minutes
Caroline Chevrier
Entrepreneur
From my sunny terrace overlooking the mountain, I write. An activity that has grown considerably in recent months as I reach the halfway point of my sabbatical year. This unexpected break has done me a world of good and has literally transformed me.
It all started last October. One fall morning, on the way to school, the four children (my two daughters, their cousin and their cousin) were arguing in the car. To lighten the mood, I suggested a game: one after the other, they had to name a quality of each. My turn came. “You, Mom, you’re funny, but when we talk to you, it’s like you’re not there. You don’t listen to us.” My god! The total shock. My daughters had just told me a truth. I was there, physically with them, but elsewhere at the same time. Always thinking about strategies, solutions, my team, my clients. Without knowing it, I was working 24/7. In addition, at that time, I was forgetting a lot of things and I had difficulty concentrating.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Caroline Chevrier
ABOUT
Caroline Chevrier is a successful businesswoman and entrepreneur. She is one of the renowned professionals in the communications field in Quebec. She regularly speaks as an expert in the media on food and health issues. As a speaker, she shares her passion for entrepreneurship with the goal of increasing business creation in Quebec.
Beginning of personal and professional reflection
So I took advantage of this awareness to deepen my reflection. Surprisingly, this crossroads came at the same time as the end of my three-year employment contract that I had successfully honored after the sale of my company. The moment was fierce. Thinking about my future, I realized that my mission for this firm was over. I was proud of my accomplishments, but I was no longer fulfilled. The sandbox had become too small for me.
I slept badly for a few nights before I made my decision. Some honest second-guessing. Among other things, that I was way too young, at 44, to take a gap year and that I would send the wrong message. Would I be judged? I was putting my career on hold for a year. But when you’ve worked three jobs since you were 14, worked hard, and didn’t take maternity leave because you had your own business, it catches up with you. As soon as I made my decision, the indecision turned to excitement. Every day was an opportunity to learn something new. And for the first time in my life, I wasn’t in a rush to squeeze every second of my day into more. I’d never felt this freeing before.
My transformation
This break transformed me. I developed active listening and learned to live in the moment. I did things I had never done before like learning to show jump on horseback, going to the farm to get fresh eggs, building an insect hotel, attending a monster-making workshop, cooking fresh pasta, spending the summer at the cottage. I saw people I hadn’t seen in years. Professionally, amazing opportunities presented themselves.
I started writing columns and started a book project. I got closer to the academic world by mentoring a group of students and became a sponsor of a cohort of MBA students. I gave conferences.
My break has also proven to be beneficial physically. Deeper sleep. Freer mind. My brain is no longer racing a hundred miles an hour before bed. And my back pain is gone.
Before my sabbatical year, I was starting to have symptoms of overwork. I regained my memory, my concentration. I no longer write anything down. No more forgetfulness!
Need a health break? Plan it. Visualize it. Talk about it.
Some employers offer the possibility of a sabbatical year or a health break. Ask them about the company's policies. In order to have complete peace of mind, I recommend that you plan your finances accordingly. Several options exist, one of which is to live on 80% of your salary and keep 20% annually in a bank account for this "deferred salary leave". This cushion should be sufficient and useful after five years. See the planning tool 5 year vision .
If this prospect is too far away, another approach would be to take several weeks without pay, for example in the summer or when business volume is lower, with the agreement of your employer, business partner or board of directors. Plan to notify them at least one year in advance.
When I go to drive my children to school again in September, I will listen to them very carefully. And I will continue to enjoy every second until I return to active professional life. Because life goes by too quickly.
Carpe Diem.