Benefits of Taking a Break Before Changing Jobs
[singlepic=1569,250,,,right]Ready to change jobs or careers? Pamela Skillings, a successful entrepreneur, certified career coach, and the author of Escape from Corporate America: A Practical Guide to Creating the Career of Your Dreams
1. What are some benefits of taking a break before changing jobs?
Ovid wrote, "A field that has rested gives a bountiful crop." Often, people who are burned out at work simply need to step away to see the bigger picture.
They usually return from a career break with renewed energy and creativity, new perspectives on life and work, and clearer priorities. Your career break can not only help you restore balance, but can also provide needed inspiration for success in the next phase of your career -- a "bountiful crop" of ideas and achievements.
2. What are some of the benefits of pursuing something you always dreamed of, like traveling, during the break?
If you've always fantasized about traveling the world or learning to paint or writing a novel, a career break can give you the opportunity to live your dream. So many of us talk about how we're going to pursue our true calling "someday." But that "someday" may never come if you don't plan for it. Do you really want to look back on your life with regret? You don't have to wait for your golden years to take a break and pursue your passion.
3. Any tips on how people can use this time and experience to reflect on what it is they want to do next?
A career break -- whether it was chosen or forced upon you -- represents a great opportunity to take a step back and plan for the future. You can use the time to explore new directions and develop new skills. Work with a career coach to set new goals, take classes, volunteer for a meaningful pro bono project, or devote some time to a long-neglected passion.
4. Can you offer an example of someone you know who took a successful break before pursuing another job?
I know many smart people who have enjoyed career breaks and used them to transition into new vocations. One current client took six months off to travel the world after getting downsized from her financial services job. Her travels through Europe eventually inspired her to attend cooking school and pursue a new career as a pastry chef.
One of the corporate escape artists highlighted in my book took a year off to windsurf in Hawaii before deciding to go back to school and become a first-grade teacher. Another career changer from the book, award-winning musician Laura Cantrell, used a career break as a way to "try on" her dream career as a professional singer. She took time off from her job at an investment bank to go on tour as an opening act for Elvis Costello. She returned to her job after the tour, but soon left to pursue her music career full-time.
For more information on Pamela Skillings, visit her website Escape from Corporate America, where you can also read about Sherry Ott's "Daring Tales of Corporate Escape".
And read what Pamela has to say about Circumstances: Recognizing the Signs You Need a Career Change.
4 Responses to “Benefits of Taking a Break Before Changing Jobs”
Other comments
9 Comments on "A Year in Paris"-
Leah on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:12 am
I really enjoyed reading your post. I am thirty-two soon and have itchy feet that are ready to try out foreign soils.
It is a fear of leaving the security of the day to day grind of paying the bills and living a safe and non-challenging way of life that has put me on hold for some time.
I hope (as it has I) your post will inspire others to go and follow their bliss – Leah 🙂 -
Patricia GW on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 8:54 am
Travel and experiencing a new culture really has put it into perspective, and filled that void with purpose (and joy).
In three weeks I’ll be moving to Paris myself for one month. I have the same feeling – the incredible surreal realization that I’m going to be living there…. it’s thrilling!!
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Abby on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 2:11 pm
Oh, Jenny! Escargot isn’t palatable — it’s delicious! I love your writing style; it’s so fun and energetic. Can you believe how far we’ve come? Everyone, Jenny and I were in the exact same industry and have known each other online and via work emails for years and years. But we’ve only met once, many, many years ago. And one of those jobs she was sleeping next to her BlackBerry for was one I’d just left. And now she’s 33 and living abroad, just like I was last year. Kindred spirits. Jenny, you’re a true inspiration — I can’t wait to see how your adventure unfolds!
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Debbie Beardsley on Mon, 6th Jun 2011 3:22 pm
Your life in Paris sounds ideal. It is nice to read about people who follow their dreams instead of wishing they had! Enjoy the rest of your journey.
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Terriaw on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 1:40 pm
Wow, fabulous and well said! I love your new outlook on like. After experiencing career burnout and feeling a little lost and purposeless lately, you have encouraged me. I look forward to seeing Paris someday!
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Jenny on Tue, 7th Jun 2011 6:50 pm
merci for all the sweet comments! @abby we are soooo kindred spirits! well except when it comes to our differing feelings on escargot…;) and congrats patricia on the move! thrilling indeed!
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shawna on Thu, 9th Jun 2011 1:32 am
you’ve reawakened my travel bug. must. return. to. france. (someday.) eat a croissant for me!
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Weekly Travel Blog Links — LandingStanding on Mon, 13th Jun 2011 6:16 am
[…] how badly I want to go to Paris… If only we could afford living there for an extended period of time during our travels! Any […]
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G. Michael Schneider on Sun, 19th Jun 2011 3:36 pm
I am a firm believer in living and working overseas, just as you described. However, many of us actually like our jobs and our homes and are simply looking to renew and refresh our lives, not change it. However, you can have the same type of cultural experience without having to reach into your own wallet and without having to quit your day job–by taking what I call a “working vacation.” My wife and I have done this 15 separate times, from Australia to Zimbabwe, Turket to Tibet, Mauritius to Mongolia. I describe how to do it in my blog otherguysdime.wordpress.com and via Twitter at @otherguysdime. Learn how to have fun without having to have burn any of your bridges behind you.
2009-11-03 09:45
[...] Before trekking off to Nepal on her latest jaunt, Sherry asked me to provide some advice for corporate types who are thinking about taking a career break. Check out the articles on how to know when it’s time for a career break and the very real benefits of taking a break before changing jobs. [...]
2009-11-03 12:38
Thanks for encouraging people to get a fresh pair of eyes by getting out and travelling. My wife and I did just that a few years ago and turned around our lives in the process. We went from being stressed-out workaholics to settling in the Lake District and starting up our own business. LIfe feels much healthier... although we know that we will head out on the road again at some point!
2009-11-09 10:33
Jorrit - Thanks for sharing your career break success story! By sharing personal experiences hopefully we can show others that it is possible to take a break now to travel.
2010-03-11 12:10
Thank you for your thoughts. Sometimes it is true that we need to get off the band wagon to check if we are on the right path.
I am in a situation where I want a break but the question is should i get a job and take a break or do the other way!
Bit confused because of the thought that companies might make use of / under-pay people who took a break & are currently not in a job.
Your thoughts pls.
Warm Regards,
Vickram