Sabbatical & Back - Let's Shake Things Up!

Having worked since the day I turned 16 and not ever taking a break in between jobs, it was instrumental for me to take a step back and take some focused time to embark on a journey of realignment as I approach my mid 30s (connecting career and passion in a way that brings fulfillment/joy into my life). This summer, I did just that. It was not an easy decision to make as it was against everything I've done, but it was the right time to disrupt some of my own rules to seek further clarity. Throughout my career, I’ve gained invaluable experiences and skills from various opportunities (and industries)– 20 total years of hard work have shaped me into a thoughtful, kind & capable professional with incredible values and skills. This is something to be proud of, to be celebrated and to be recognized. After these 20 years of “formal” hard work, I still strive for greatness. Greatness not necessarily in the growth factor but greatness in the qualitative sense (in character and quality). Twenty years from now, I will still be moved in the same direction. Call this my true north (led by faith). As Maya Angelou distinctively said, “do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better”. There’s no doubt that I’ve encountered many situations/conditions over 20 years but at the end of the day, I still choose optimism. I still choose to cheer even in the worst of times. Some might interpret that as carelessness or complacency, but it is an intentional act to swiftly accept the situation as is and course correct with a forward focused mindset. Debrief occurs after the fact. My dad use to say, to know if you made the right decision (or if you need to make a decision) you have to face yourself deep in the night and examine the circumstances as a whole, reflect deeply, and do so objectively. In the face of literal and figurative darkness, you will encounter a conclusion that only you can bear so choose wisely. So, I chose to rest, refresh, and restart. After a great quarter, I am ready and open for work again.

?Below are a couple "projects" & thought-provoking realizations over the summer:

• We farmed over the summer. I’ll be honest and say I was 60% there for moral support because my privileged body could not handle the amount of labor it took to prep the soil, plant the seeds, and care for the plants. My mom’s commitment to her garden is unmatched. She took this task on mostly by herself with constant excitement and joy (pushing 8-14 hours a day if we weren’t complaining about going home due to what I perceived as heat strokes). I saw a video somewhere stating if we see our parents only once a year and we’ve only got 15 more years, that’s only 15 more times and I just can’t have that, so it was my way of being with my mom. She legitimately said she wanted another acre next summer to grow rice. We might have home grown rice next summer.
• I learned how to sew (thanks to my sister Gao) and got myself a sewing machine off of Facebook Marketplace. I got some basic projects completed and I'm looking forward to more complex ones. Learning something new is always challenging but once you get the hang of it, it's just about mastering the skill through practice. Sewing is a lot of work so a newfound appreciation for sewers/designers in life - not an easy task at all.
• Taking breaks is integral to our energy and health: It provides focused time and opportunity to rest, to reflect on what ignites the fire from within, unpack forgotten dreams, and recharge for what’s next. During my break, I noticed a trend of employers offering a month-long sabbatical after 3 to 4 years of work. How incredible is that?! That is something totally appealing to me and something I think companies worldwide should adopt. Imagine the energy of the collective workforce with regular month-long sabbaticals every 3-4 years. I say yes to the implementation of this (especially as a form of employee appreciation). ?
• Passion can evolve over time and that’s absolutely okay. The reality is that I (and people) am in constant learning mode through new discoveries and exposure of new ideas especially through the advancement of modern technology. I am unlearning, relearning, and learning new things on the daily. It is immature to think that people and passion must remain the same over the course of a lifetime. That is incongruent with the growth mindset. Evolution is actually good; it is the process of organisms becoming better than its former version/self so embrace it.??

After an incredible summer of rest, refresh, and restart. I am open for work again. Shoot me a note if you see anything exciting in the program manangement space. Check out my profile and know I've got a diverse background but all centered on program management. I'll leave you with another quote from Maya Angelou to close things out. Words to encourage us on this journey call life:

"I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as 'making a life’." - Maya Angelou

Enjoy!