I’ve been playing with the idea of a career break — sabbatical style — for quite a while. Being a successful mid-career professional, it is not an easy decision to quit your job and take a pause from a steady paycheck. This post is for those of you who have been dreaming about taking this leap, but are a little afraid to try.
Let’s have a look at the most common fears of taking a career break. I’ve personally encountered each of these categories but somehow survived. And you will too!
1. Financial Fears:
“I can’t afford to take a sabbatical.” (Spoiler alert: Yes, you can. Maybe not right this second.) I wouldn’t recommend anybody to just walk away from a good workplace without knowing how you would support yourself for several months. Solution: Plan for it.
It might take you 2 years to create a safety net (but hey, that’s something to look forward to, right?) or it might be just a few months or weeks. How much to save? It depends on your sabbatical goals. What do you want to do? Some people choose to roam the world or hit the road in an RV, selling their belongings or putting everything in storage for the meantime. Some prefer to stay put at home, finally finding time to breathe and get immersed with their passion projects and/or studies. My recommendation would be savings of 6 months of living expenses (unless you plan sabbatical for more than 6 months) + 2 months of emergency + the cost of your travel, or classes, and incidentals.
Extra tip of financial planning advice. You work hard for your employer, so please do not leave any earned money on the table. While choosing the perfect date for your career break, take into consideration the financial payout schedules: commissions, bonuses, 401K matching, profit-sharing, stock options. Educate yourself and plan ahead.
2. Career Fears:
“I will never find another job.” (Spoiler alert: Yes, you will.) And hey, you might even catch an entrepreneurial itch and start something on your own! Who knows what ideas your brilliant mind will come up with, once it’s feeling rested and recharged.
“There will be a gap on my resume that recruiters dislike, and I might have to accept a lower-paying position.” (Spoiler alert: Some recruiters and employers will like you and some won’t, whether you have an employment gap or not. And that’s OK!) Sabbaticals are on the rise in the US. A growing number of companies are offering them to their employees as an additional perk. You could use some of this time to learn something new, to hone your skills or volunteer to increase your potential earnings. The “gap” time is for your professional advantage.
3. Health Fears:
“I will lose my medical insurance and something bad will happen while I am on sabbatical.” Answer: Get insurance either through COBRA, or through a healthcare marketplace. Depending on your employer’s policy, you might also want to schedule your quit date earlier in the month to get the medical coverage that you are already paying into for the full month. Get travel insurance that covers medical and dental.
Extra Tip: Do all your annual tests, dental work, eye exams and routine doctor visits before you quit. If you funded a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) through your job, you might want to use it up before your sabbatical.
4. Social Fears:
“People will think I am selfish and/or lazy to do something like that.” (Spoiler alert: Most of them will probably be a bit jealous. Not everybody has the opportunity and guts to do what you do. Maybe you can inspire them?) Do discuss it with your partner though! Don’t blindside the significant others. That’s just not nice. Plan together!
“It’s going to be so awkward when I am asked what I do for a living. What am I supposed to answer?” Whatever floats your boat: On a self-funded sabbatical. Taking a career break before my next business venture. Explorer. Student. Traveler. Maker. Adventurer. Pursuer of life.
As you can see, all these fears have one thing in common – they are all about the consequences of a personal decision. Of being afraid to make a mistake. Anxiety about the future. And that’s all totally normal. Guess what, your job can be gone tomorrow due to your company being bought off or going under. A health crisis might happen anywhere, anytime. And you might be socially judged for not being a perfect parent or spouse, without even knowing it. You want to be the one steering the wheel of your life, even if the ship is going to such distant shores that only you can see. You are the captain of this life that is happening right here, right now. Plan ahead and embrace the change. What’s next is up to you.
Have you ever dreamed of taking a few months off just for yourself? Have you done it? If not, what’s stopping you from taking a career break? Please don’t be shy. Share your comments below, we’d love to hear from you!
