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Thoughts and Tips on the Road to Improving Effectiveness by Overcoming Overload |
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Thoughts and Tips onTaking a SabbaticalDo you need a sabbatical? Why not take one this summer? |
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Thoughts |
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The New York Times reported that Intel Corp. offers its employees a two month paid sabbatical every seven years. During this time their phone calls and e-mail accounts are redirected. Regretfully, most of us are not in a position to take two months off. In the busyness of life, many of us even neglect employer designated days off; others return from an exhausting vacation feeling a need for a holiday. Last spring, Matt was appointed to the role of President and CEO at a critical time in the life of a very large organization. Last summer he had told me how he values his extended summer holiday when he camps with his young family away from the reach of cell phone calls or e-mail. Meeting him last week, I expected business demands to derail his desire for a holiday. I asked him if he had plans to camp this summer. Without hesitation he told me that his holiday was already booked. What drives leaders like Matt to prioritize such a time away? Sabbaticals. A sabbatical need not be a long, extended time. It can be part of your highly valued holiday. A sabbatical is a purpose driven period of time away from your normal routine. It's a time to immerse yourself in a different environment and a chance to examine your life from a different perspective. In life we measure what we value. We take inventory of and plan for our assets and bank accounts. Regretfully, most of us seldom do the same with what we value most, “life”. A sabbatical is a time to reflect on where you came from, where you are, and where you are going.
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Tips |
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A - Take at least two weeks away, three weeks if you are a type A personality. Dr. Archibald Hart in his book, Adrenalin and Stress, says your body needs time to recover from its adrenalin addiction. During the first four to five days, relax and distance yourself from all that stimulates excessive adrenalin flow. “Veg out.” Sleep more than you normally would. If you noticed that you are dreaming more than you used to, that is very good. B - Take inventory and plan for the year ahead. Create three sheets of paper with two columns on each with the heading “Looking Back” and “Looking Forward”. Label your three sheets “Roles”, “People”, and “Issues”. C - During the last week of your holiday take time alone to reflect, plan, and record your thoughts: 1) Roles: What were the roles and responsibilities that hit your “sweet spot” making you feel most fulfilled and successful and why? What similar opportunities, projects or initiatives can you see in your coming year that you can plan to take advantage of? 2) People: What type of people seem to energize you as you collaborate with them? Why? What future collaboration opportunities can you see with such individuals and/or groups? 3) Issues: List the type of issues that seemed to leverage your skills and competencies or experience to maximum value. What similar issues can you see in the horizon and what can you do to position yourself for engagement in such opportunities? D – Your first week back to work. Take time to share your thoughts with your boss and/or key important people. Translate your reflections into SMART goals that have the support of your important people. Sabbatical: In a nutshell this is what Intel expects its employees to do during their sabbaticals. You can do it every year or even more. It could change your life. Have a great summer! |
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