You're an ERP professional feeling burnt out. How can you use your sabbatical to recharge?

1 Plan ahead

Before you take your sabbatical, make sure you have a clear goal and a realistic timeline. Do you want to learn a new skill, explore a new industry, or pursue a personal project? How long do you need to achieve your objective, and how will you measure your progress? Also, consider your financial situation, your career prospects, and your employer's policies. You don't want to jeopardize your income, your reputation, or your job security by taking a hasty or unplanned break.

2 Seek inspiration

A sabbatical is a great opportunity to expose yourself to new ideas, perspectives, and experiences. You can use this time to travel, volunteer, network, or take courses that interest you. You can also read books, listen to podcasts, watch documentaries, or attend events that relate to your field or your aspirations. By seeking inspiration, you can broaden your horizons, discover new opportunities, and spark your creativity.

3 Reflect and recharge

A sabbatical is also a time to reflect on your achievements, challenges, and goals. You can use this time to evaluate your strengths, weaknesses, and areas of improvement. You can also assess your satisfaction, motivation, and alignment with your current role and organization. By reflecting, you can gain insights, feedback, and clarity on your career path and direction. Moreover, a sabbatical is a time to recharge your physical, mental, and emotional energy. You can use this time to rest, relax, exercise, meditate, or pursue hobbies that make you happy and healthy.

4 Update your skills

A sabbatical can be a valuable learning experience, especially in a fast-changing and competitive field like ERP. You can use this time to update your skills, knowledge, and credentials. You can enroll in online courses, certifications, or bootcamps that cover the latest trends, tools, and best practices in ERP. You can also work on projects, case studies, or simulations that showcase your abilities and portfolio. By updating your skills, you can stay relevant, marketable, and confident in your profession.

5 Reconnect and network

A sabbatical can be a lonely and isolating experience, especially if you lose touch with your colleagues, clients, or mentors. You can use this time to reconnect and network with people who matter to you and your career. You can reach out to your former or current coworkers, managers, or partners, and share your sabbatical plans, achievements, and challenges. You can also join online or offline communities, groups, or events that cater to ERP professionals, and meet new people who share your interests, goals, or values. By reconnecting and networking, you can maintain your relationships, reputation, and visibility in your field.

6 Prepare for your return

Finally, a sabbatical is not a permanent escape, but a temporary pause. You have to prepare for your return to work, and make sure you are ready to resume your responsibilities, tasks, and projects. You can use this time to review your work plan, communicate with your employer, and update your resume, LinkedIn profile, or portfolio. You can also set new goals, expectations, and boundaries for yourself and your role. By preparing for your return, you can make a smooth and successful transition, and leverage your sabbatical experience to enhance your performance, career, and well-being.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?