Last updated on June 15, 2022
Fellow Edgewalkers, you have not heard from me for a while. I have not been ignoring you. In fact, I have been thinking a great deal about you. I just have not been able to clearly tell you so. You see, I went on an unplanned sabbatical in mid-April. I was sent for unexpected surgery on short notice, and I have been on the road to recovery. While I have been focusing on my personal wellness, I have been thinking a great deal about my circumstances and what I can learn from my experience. One of my critical learnings is the reminder that I must always focus on myself first, and then on those around me. My realization is not unlike the announcement at the beginning of a plane flight: “In the unlikely event of a sudden loss of cabin pressure… secure your own oxygen mask first before assisting others.”
Unlikely events happen. Unexpected surgery, job loss, crises of all looks and likenesses hide along our paths more often than we would like to acknowledge. The truth is, when we get hurried, we get careless. We forget to watch out for the warnings that danger lies ahead. Even worse, we may not pay attention to the warnings because we are too busy finishing the project, helping the co-workers, driving the kids, taking care of aging parents, paying the bills, and on, and on it goes.
Edgewalkers are natural overachievers and perfectionists. We strive for the unattainable perfect scores and are willing to give up our own wellness to do it. We know only two speeds: full-speed and full-stop. We could also call the full-stop speed the “crash.” Planned sabbaticals every five to seven years throughout a career supports longevity of health and sustainable resources in our lives. I’m not talking a few weeks off for vacation when we often return more tired than when we began, but a significant period of time away; I suggest seven to ten months.
I have been considering my break over the past six weeks to be a forced sabbatical. I was given no choice but to slow down and smell the flowers. In the process, I have come to realize the importance of planning sabbatical time instead of having it forced upon me. There are many reasons for us to take a professional sabbatical. Contributors to Forbes, Harvard Business Review, and other leadership front-runners all agree that professional sabbaticals are beneficial for individuals and their organizations. The following are just some of the reasons we should consider choosing to take a sabbatical before our health and wellness take a turn for the worse and sabbatical is thrust upon us.
Recharge and Refocus
There is an old English proverb that says “a change is as good as a rest.” But the opposite is also true, a rest is as good as a change. In conversation with some of you, I know I am not alone when I describe myself as ‘nomadic.’ What does this look like? While I work and worship, I am also scanning the horizon for what might be coming next. Not that I am looking for “outs” from my current job or situation, but I am always open to how the Spirit guides me towards transitions. My pattern is that I become restless every five years or so. I begin to look for what might be next. This is partly because I wear myself down. When I set myself on a direction, I go hard towards it. I strive for success. But this approach to my work also comes with a price. If you are like me, we run the risk of draining our tank faster than we can refill. Our batteries drain to a critical point where recovery becomes difficult.
A planned sabbatical allows employees to return to our work rejuvenated, almost like we are entering into a new job. Renewed focus upon the work at hand allows for new perspectives to be considered. Employees also tend to enter into deeper relationships with colleagues, partners, and stakeholders upon their return. As we have learned from our times in the toolshed, relationship conversations lead to possibility conversations, which lead to action conversations. The result is increased ownership and innovation.
Opportunity to Reboot
“Reboot” is far different than “recharge.” When I say sabbaticals provide an opportunity to reboot, I am referring to a reconnection with personal goals past, present, and future. During my recent time away, I have been revisiting some of my goals that have been pushed to the wayside because of other ventures that include starting a new position in Fall 2021. Taking stock in what is truly important in my life is a critical step in moving forward through a sabbatical and afterwards. I have taken the opportunity to walk a spiritual path that includes getting reacquainted with nature and my Creator. I have also been paying more attention to my physical wellness, dropping a few pounds, considering continuing education and personal development, and the like. These are some of my goals that have slipped over the past while. Most important, I have taken time to carefully consider my long-term goals and what it will take to get there. Retirement, consultant work, and the like are just a few of these long-term goals for me.
Organizational Benefits
I have shared just a few of my personal benefits that can be realized through taking a sabbatical. But making the personal choice to actually take a sabbatical can be much more challenging. Not all organizations are prepared to lose an employee for a prolonged period of time, and may not be willing to accommodate such a thing. I feel very fortunate to work for an employer who supports sabbaticals. Senior leaders in my organization recognize the benefits of creating space for sabbaticals to be possible. But what are these benefits?
Opportunities for Growth
Employees are encouraged to take sabbatical time to recharge, reboot, and grow as a person. Yes, we can grow while we are working, but to take the time to be intentional, learning more about ourselves in a sabbatical space, we return to the workplace a changed person. We have grown. We have changed. But we best not forget the opportunities for growth that exist for employees we leave behind. I accepted a secondment opportunity in 2010 that lasted for four years. While I was away, other employees in my organization had opportunities to step into my manager role and gain experiences that would otherwise not been available to them. Though I never went on a sabbatical, the principle is universal in this instance.
Recognition and Retention
I have experienced the pain of declined requests. I once requested a one-year leave of absence to pursue an education opportunity that would have been very much like a sabbatical. My request was turned down. The reason stated was that they could not afford to be without me. Though I tried not to let this affect me, the truth is that my productivity waned and I spent a lot more time looking at other job opportunities. It was not too long before I left that organization. Organizations who support sabbaticals recognize that by rewarding employees for wanting to take steps to improve themselves in this way, take breaks for personal growth, recharge and refocus, turnover statistics are reduced. This is because employees who feel appreciated and supported by having sabbatical leaves approved will tend to be more loyal, appreciative, and willing to give their all for their employer. Employee recognition leads to employee retention.
Edgewalkers, I encourage you to consider your options regarding a planned sabbatical. Many government organizations support pay adjustments to allow employees to be away for extended periods of time. Others allow six-month or one-year leaves of absence. If you have been in the same position for five to seven years without a chance to really recharge, then it is time for you to start having the conversation with your family and your employer to explore the possibilities.
Planned or forced sabbatical? The choice is yours. But one thing I have learned over these past months is this – you are likely going to experience one or the other. So, I ask you, will you allow an unplanned sabbatical be thrust upon you, or will you take matters into your own hands to take a sabbatical in a healthy, planned way.
Donovan Mutschler, MA, MC
For more information on this or other topics of interest contact Donovan Mutschler at donovan@edgewalkers.ca.
Title image credit: Angel Maclean Ulriksen
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