On Taking a Sabbatical

I was flying home from a client in San Fran a few weeks ago thinking, it’s been a busy week.??And then I thought—it’s been a busy month actually. ?Well really, it’s been a busy year.?And as I was simultaneously planning my oldest daughters upcoming 17th birthday, I realized it’s been a busy decade. Or more accurately, it’s been a busy 17 years.

And before that, before I met my husband, wrote a book, launched my business; before the birth of my three children, before the twists and turns of a beautiful and full and busy life— I spent four long years as a non-stop, always-on, investment banker on Wall Street.

I got tired just thinking about it.

And I thought—this is crazy.?Why don’t I just stop for a beat??For a real, long, deep, intentional, thoughtful, extended beat??

There had been lots of wild ideas percolating in my head for weeks—from an anecdote about the Navy SEALs and the concept of “Deep Rest” (courtesy of my good friend and former Kellogg TA Ameya Avasare ), to the brilliant documentaries American Symphony and My Octopus Teacher , to a Vanity Fair profile about the incomparable Simone Biles .?Every piece of content I consumed was telling me, showing me, that greatness comes from intentionality, from self-reflection, contemplation—from a pause or pivot, often from deep rest.?

The final nudge was when John Lennon’s “Watching the Wheels ” popped up on my playlist (for the first time ever in my life).?And I thought: the Universe has conspired.

I opened back up my laptop, and without asking anyone for permission (much less an opinion) or giving myself a chance to change my mind, I went ahead and blocked off four weeks of my life, from March 18 through April 16th with the word SABBATICAL.?And I giggled to myself, quietly and thought, ha. I just did this.?I really did it.

And so here I am today sharing this with you—perhaps as inspiration, perhaps as accountability – so you know not to expect to hear from me or see me over the next four weeks.?But also, so you can maybe take a pause and think to yourself—how I can I slow down in a meaningful and powerful way???

And while I fully recognize that taking a sabbatical is an incredible luxury, I’m hopeful I’ll take away learnings and insight and energy that will serve me in lots of ways big and small.?And I will do my best to share those lessons when I’m back online.??

In the meantime, here are a few things I’ve noticed and learned in the three weeks since making (and sharing) my decision:

• Everyone is happy for me (surprising).?Not one person has looked at me with judgment or scorn.?Even my clients, who expect the very best from my team and I—have all said, in one form or another: “Congratulations, enjoy, good for you!”?
• It takes significant discipline to disconnect (not surprising). Can I really do this? Can I actually not check in for an entire month? I removed email from my phone (gasp) to help me out. I unsubscribed from 30+ email newsletters.?I’ve given my team all the support they need (in advance) to carry on without me. ?Can I really not think about work for four whole weeks? I’ll let you know when I get to the other side…
• Be transparent (counter-intuitive?).?I have set my OOO.?I have told all of my current clients that I will be offline and unreachable until April 16. ?I am writing about it here.?I’m actively not going rogue or “pretending” I’m working—that sounds like a recipe for disaster.?Instead, I’m sharing my truth broadly.
• I am making No Plans.?No exceptions.?A lot of people have asked me what I’m going to do with my time off.?I have a feeling the four weeks could zip by in a blur of walks, lunches, plans with friends, or catching up on long-overdue personal to-do lists.?With volunteering, or cleaning out closets, or crafting photo albums of my kiddos (17 years late). ?Instead, I am relishing the idea of White Space – a concept Juliet Funt tackles better than most. ??That’s the biggest indulgence of all, to give myself the gift of waking up in the morning and asking, how should I spend my time today? ??

So I’m off.?I’ll see you next month. I expect to be better, faster, stronger, smarter.?Or maybe more Zen and refreshed.?Or maybe I’ll feel like I just downed a box of Wheaties and I’m ready for the Olympics.?I don’t know, but I can’t wait to find out.

Until next month,

jodi

p.s. and wouldn’t it be funny if this post went viral, and I wasn’t around to find out??