Work Hard. Play Hard. Why I took a sabbatical after 2 years...

Seems CRAZY doesn't it - a sabbatical after 2 years with Finlay James, so many questions:

• Why did I do it, and why now?
• What about my career?
• Why have FJ said yes?
• What will I do when I come back?

Well let me answer these for you!

Firstly, I know I'm in a hugely fortunate and privileged position to be able to take time off, from work, from life, free from responsibilities for a few months and travel across Southern Asia, I want to acknowledge this early on. I've saved up for the last 3 years whilst living in London, live relatively free of ties (no children, no house etc) and I have a long-term partner who shares my goals and dreams with me. These aren't mandatory for travelling, but they definitely help with up-rooting and heading off for a few months!

Secondly - WOW - how lucky am I to work for FJ, who recognise hard work, and want you to achieve your goals - mine isn't to buy a house (although that's coming next), or to buy a nice car or watch or handbag, nope, my goal is to travel and see the world!

Having smashed the last two years here at FJ, I know I can continue and really thrive, and make more money, but... that won't change when I come back; I will only be more motivated to be successful!

But I will change. Life doesn't stop for anyone or anything, and when it does, well, then your time is up. We need to be having conversations with ourselves and making sure we reach every goal we want, and to surround yourself in an environment that supports that. No dream is too big!

Before I settle down, and buy a house and get a dog, I know I have some many things to see and do, and being a part of FJ and contributing to their success this year, means I have contributed to my own success.

Yes, they're going to lose out on 4 months of my revenue personally, but I'm handing the reigns to my wonderful colleagues so nothing stops moving, everyone knows where to go, or to speak to (if you're someone wondering who to go to - Rianna Sarsons is the one!), and revenue will continue to be generated. A business doesn't rely on one person to be successful, it relies on a team of individuals who make up the success together. FJ recognise this and have ensured that succession planning is something we all consider.

I think about the things I might miss out on - President's Club, Quarterly Lunch Club, the Christmas Party, seeing my friends get promoted, seeing new staff members close their first deals, but I'll have all that to look forward to when I get back for the next few years!

What I'll get instead is personal development, experiencing new challenges, and broadening my Growth Mindset. I'll be doing a week volunteering in Southern India in an animal sanctuary, and living with locals in the Himalayas, and celebrating a glorious England victory in the Rugby World Cup in Japan! Travelling only broadens the mind and enriches your cultural experiences in life, and I plan to bring this back to work in Jan to guide my mindset going into 2020, to have the best year I've ever had!

One of the biggest and most important elements for this - is the trust I've earned whilst working here at FJ. My main commitment is to my career and to the company, to thank FJ for their investment in me, and I've done the same by putting everything into these last few weeks to build up my pipeline to hand over to the team, and ensure my clients and candidates don't notice any difference - maybe a different person, but same level of service and commitment that is expected from FJ!

I've had the most incredible time over the last 2 years... Highlights include:

• Presidents Club 2018 - Miami
• Winning the Rising Star Award 2019
• Apsco Charity Ball 2018 - Manchester
• Recruiter Awards 2018 - Cafe de Paris
• Summer Party 2018 with Trip to Alton Towers!
• My Work Trip to San Francisco in March 2018

I will be back on the 2nd January, so not too long until you get me back here - making videos, writing controversial updates and generally smashing it ;-)

Here's some more photo's of the amazing people who are the reason I come to work everyday, and the reason why I'll be sad to take some time off as I'll miss them a lot!

The people you work with are the most important part of a company - you spend most of your day with them and they either make or break a work culture.

The FJ DNA that John and Sara have created, and mould here has been pretty amazing, and although people have come and gone, as is the circle of life - this is the reason why I'm here, and why I'm excited to come back and find more people to join our team!

I would encourage anyone who doesn't have the same kind of job satisfaction to contact Catherine or Mike and have an open conversation about whether Recruitment could be for you?

Yes, I'm a little sad to be leaving something, even if only for a few months, because I'm really having the time of my life! I will miss absolutely everything, but I'm excited to see the world and meet people that I wouldn't usually.

So... what happens when I'm back?

1. I should be eligible for a promotion to Managing Consultant
2. This means I can hire people myself and manage, nurture and encourage them to achieve what I have!
3. I want to qualify early on the President Club 2020!
4. I want to bill my first ￡300k+ year!

I should stop typing now, and encourage you all to consider what is the most important things in your lives right now, and question if you really working towards your dreams?

Thanks to John, Sara and James for giving me the opportunity to travel! I'll be visiting Sri Lanka, India, Nepal and Japan (Rugby World Cup!) so any suggestions please do let me know and I'll see you Jan 2nd 2020!

Have a great 2019!

Emily x