Sabbaticals/Mini Retirements, Career Moves & the Value of Human Connection

From Silicon Valley's Rejections to Burning Man's Reflections: My Unexpected Learnings from 100+ job applications, reconnecting with old colleagues & a life-changing sabbatical.

In the cadence of a contemplative Sunday afternoon, allow me to share a personal narrative, one which has often been the subject of inquiry. I hope, in sharing, you might find a fragment of yourself mirrored in its folds.

It appears there's an undercurrent of restlessness. Maybe some of us are standing at the precipice of the proverbial ‘Mid-Life Crisis’ at 40. But I can't help but wonder if this disquiet is not just a byproduct of age but also of a world in transition — tech behemoths grappling with unforeseen challenges, the unpredictable ebb and flow from remote to hybrid working paradigms, especially for the white-collared amongst us.

This ambient uncertainty seems to have ushered in an era where many are scouting for that next professional chapter. A cursory glance at LinkedIn underscores this point — a multitude of applicants, often numbering in the hundreds, for seemingly prime positions. Yet, from conversations with my network, especially those holding the reins of recruitment, there's a sea of misfits. Job seekers who haven't done their due diligence, who shoot their CVs in the dark, hoping against hope. It's a strategy of desperation, born from the silence that often greets applications. But, let's be candid: merely dispatching a CV is akin to sending a paper plane into a storm.

Once, I stood at this crossroad.

The Call that Changed It All

Post a rejuvenating Easter break, I was jolted by a call from the CEO. The global economic weather was proving treacherous. The company was recalibrating its sails, and I was left adrift. It was a bitter pill. Just two years into a three-yea+ odyssey, and it was prematurely curtailed. The wound was more than just professional; it was deeply personal. Yet, every ending has a silver lining, and this granted me an unprecedented freedom.

Awful Timing

A decade had elapsed since I'd granted myself a true respite. And with the globe as my canvas, why not angle for a pivot? ClimateTech, with its tantalising promise, beckoned. I envisioned a niche where my expertise in Behavioural Science-Led Comms Strategy could meld seamlessly. Silicon Valley, with its electric energy, seemed the right incubator. But despite my earnest efforts, networking stints, and countless applications, the doors remained steadfastly shut. To add to the irony, my CV, which I believed was a testament to my journey, was suggested to be... fictionalised.

And as tech giants like Google, Meta, and Twitter tightened their belts, the odds seemed increasingly insurmountable.

Remote Second

I decided to tread familiar ground: advertising. No sooner had I cast my net that opportunities beckoned. Yet, the newfound enthusiasm had a caveat: physical presence. With several weeks before my return to Australia, this hiccup proved decisive. Despite the world being comfortable in the virtual space, being miles away became an inadvertent Achilles' heel.

The Power of Sabbaticals

Embracing Tim Ferris' philosophy of mini retirements, my 40th year led me on a journey to Burning Man. This was a revelation. Putting aside the tedious job hunt helped me to be more present. This instantaneously established deep human connections & developed into what I believe will be life-long friendships. Service, camaraderie, and raw, unfiltered experiences transformed this into a defining chapter of my overseas sojourn.

Rediscovering One's Path

Once grounded in Byron Bay, introspection was the order of the day. Through the lens of the Japanese Ikigai and borrowing from the wisdom that is Tony Robbins' decision-making framework wisdom, clarity emerged. It wasn't just about job hunting; it was a quest for alignment. Drawing from this newfound reservoir, I rekindled old connections, forged new ones, and invested (heavily) in experiences like SXSW. The rewards were rapid and profound.

Lessons Carved in Time

From Redundancy to Redemption: My 4-Month Odyssey Beyond the 9-5.

Total commitment is non-negotiable. Whether it's Schwarzenegger's emphasis on utility or McKeown's 'Essentialism' dictum, half measures are for naught. The potency of human connection, the serendipity of chance meetings, and the wisdom of lived experiences cannot be understated. It's not about charting a journey in isolation, but about understanding the lay of the land through collective insight.

Epilogue

Life, with its unpredictable tapestry, doesn't allow for the luxury of regrets. If the allure of a sabbatical beckons, embrace it. Distance oneself from the daily churn, confront unfamiliar territories, pen your thoughts, and then, with unbridled passion, chase your dreams.

This four-month odyssey had its shares of troughs, but change, as they say, is the only constant. And through this crucible of experiences, I believe I have emerged richer, both in spirit and wisdom.

Sincerely,

Nicholas Mason

(with a bit of help from ChatGPT)