Comments on: Sabbaticals by Sagmeister

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 13:49:02 +0000

Professors can do this. Except, they are not on vacation. As part of any full time “tenured” position (rarer as universities have cut full time positions in favor of cheap adjunct hires), you have to apply for a sabbatical (and some don’t get it!). Those that do, have to do research on something which will aid later in their teaching or research for the next 7 years. It is not a vacation. Most sabbaticals only last a semester too. If a Spring sabbatical is taken, add on Winter break and Summer break and it will extend out 7.5 months at most.
Sabbaticals are a great idea. But what the U.S. really needs are longer yearly vacations for all level of workers. 2 weeks is not enough. I think one month as in other Western democracies, has a similar affect on a smaller timeline scale as a sabbatical. It is also a pressure reliever.

By: Ian McDonald

Ian McDonald — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 19:18:41 +0000

Wow Dan…I just finished a 4 week sabbatical in July of this year (way too short). My first of many I hope to come. It was like a death in the family for the first three weeks (work decompression). I went through several peaks and deep valleys emotionally. I spent time on how Fear is a human factor that drives many of us to make poor life and career choices. The learning for me was that I have choices in my life – and that conforming to what is expected of me in the workplace doesn’t align with the path I want to follow. I think that raising this issue up is a blessing to those who will read it and DO it. Keep up your good works.

Ian

By: Kirk Horsted

Kirk Horsted — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 16:31:23 +0000

Thanks, Dan, for helping preach the Gospel of Sabbatical. As Mr. Sagmesister suggests, once you try it, you never turn back. The benefits become obvious. The R&R rewards a tired soul while reviving curiosity. And, frankly, chasing a dream offers a fresh challenge and tons of fun. As Ms. Pagano points out, the trend IS growing. After all, people know there’s more to life than hard work; careers are no longer life-long and linear; and compassionate companies understand the value of balance—not to mention recruiting and retention. Mr. Cufaude asks about research. A scholarly, 190-page book by Daniel C. Kramer, “Workplace Sabbaticals: Bonus or Entitlement?” digs into the questions. He not only concludes that they work, but they could be mandated into law.

I’ll lobby for that. My little creative consultancy (2 Heads) has managed three BreakAways (as we call them) in 19 years—ranging from 69 days to one year. We’ll happily work longer in our later years in exchange for some freedom and adventure now. Take a break. Get away. It may be the best career (and life) move you ever make.

More? Please visit makeyourbreakaway.com

By: earthsangel-journey

earthsangel-journey — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 06:23:31 +0000

Dan thanks for this great idea, i’ll add this in my goal

By: Patrick Roden

Patrick Roden — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 01:31:51 +0000

Dan, this is post brought to mind the 3 life plans:

1. Linear Life Plan:
Where education is for the young, work is for the middle-aged, and leisure is for the elderly.

2. Cyclic Life Plan:
You educate for a period, and then you work for a period, and then you leisure (re-create) for a period. And the cycle continues throughout life.

3. The Blended Life Plan:
You may educate, work, and have leisure all in the same month—for the rest of your life.

I seem to be living the blended life plan these days…

Cheers

By: Elizabeth Pagano

Elizabeth Pagano — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:52:52 +0000

Thanks for posting about sabbaticals, Dan. We’re working to ensure sabbaticals are a part of every career progression. Jim Seybert is correct about the Old Testament roots, and academia adopted the concept in the early 1900s, beginning with Harvard; interestingly, the offering was to compete for talent with industry. Sabbaticals aren’t new to the business world – McDonald’s has offered them since the 1960s and Intel since the 1970s. Jeffrey Cufaude asked whether anyone is tracking sabbaticals – we’ve been tracking them for two years now. The trend is growing, and it’s definitely not just for the creative-types. Sabbaticals are popular in technology, law, and accounting. Some accounting firms believe so strongly in the benefits of sabbaticals that they make participation mandatory. Final point – sabbaticals don’t just benefit those who go on break but also those left behind; those doing “work coverage” have tremendous opportunities to step up in their career, by learning new skills, trying out new roles, etc. So companies that offer sabbaticals also benefit from a unique, informal talent development platform.

By: Peggy

Peggy — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 18:12:21 +0000

I’m glad I stopped by today – a sabbitical is something I need to work into my current plan. It might not be 365 days, but I bet I can swing 4-6 weeks. I need to chew on this…

Dan – thanks for this great idea!

By: Tim McCarthy

Tim McCarthy — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 03:00:34 +0000

Oh yeah, forgot to mention that….really looking forward to the new book!!!!

By: Paul C

Paul C — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 01:48:05 +0000

Always interesting to read about TED. When do you think TED will release the video of Becky Blanton’s popular address?

By: Chris Smith

Chris Smith — Wed, 29 Jul 2009 01:08:16 +0000

If you haven’t seen Stefan’s book – Things I have Learned in My Life So Far…buy it…it’s beautiful, though provoking and the cover(s) is/are one of the coolest things ever…emotionally intelligent cover…..

http://www.sagmeister.com/buy.html