Sabbatical
by Linda Tarrant

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Sabbatical comes from the Hebrew word for "rest". It`s an ancient concept that is still widely practiced. Historically, farmers would give their fields a sabbatical every seventh year and leave them unplanted. It allowed the ground an opportunity to be replenished. Organizations have learned that people also need regular rest. Most of us get at least a few weeks a year (remember your vacation) but some professions support longer or more extensive opportunities for sabbatical.

Most of us are far too busy. Many of us are exhausted. "Bone tired" as my grandmother would say. Holidays are great, but we often just return to business as usual, except there`s more work to do. If we are going to truly renew and recharge, we may need to do something extraordinary. We may need a sabbatical.

Sabbatical can mean many things, but it usually involves breaking your normal routine and getting away from your day-to-day activities. It would be great if your employer gave you a year off with pay every seventh year, but that is just not in the cards for most of us. And even if it were, we may not be able to afford the luxury of an extended time away. So, here are five techniques for bringing the sabbatical experience into every day life.

1. Know what renews you and put it into your schedule. That means book it as you would book a doctor¹s appointment. Yes, it`s just about as hard to get! If we renew regularly, we may not need a life altering experience. It`s like eating. If we eat right most days, we don`t ever need to go on a crash diet.

2. Incorporate new thoughts and experiences into your day-to-day life. Don`t keep doing the same old stuff. Routine lulls us into complacency and puts us on automatic pilot. Shake yourself awake. Do something unusual, daring or even scary. Have lunch with someone you disagree with and try to figure out why they are right. Don`t always rent a movie on Friday night, dust off the cobwebs and try something novel.

3. Challenge everything. Ask yourself some difficult questions. Explore alternatives, don`t always look for the right answer. Don`t just accept what`s been dealt to you. Turn in some cards and try for another (and maybe better) hand. You may get that inside straight. Changing your mind can change your life.

4. Take charge. Don`t blame anyone else for your choices. Sometimes you just have to tell others that you come first. You need to renew or you can`t be the best you! So don`t explain why you can`t. Develop a plan to look after you and make it happen. They can cook for themselves, cut the grass, and even make important decisions at the plant.

5. You don`t have to do it alone. Taking a sabbatical often involves learning from or with others. Connect with people who want to help you explore yourself and your life. It may not be easy. But it can be rewarding and fun.

I have decided to take a sabbatical. I have decided to pay the price and hopefully reap the benefits of taking extended time away from my business. I hope to learn, explore, rest and re-define. I am fortunate to have this opportunity. But, no matter how significant this sabbatical will be, I have already learned that it is critical to incorporate more time for rest, reflection and renewal into my regular life. Here`s to your journey. Have a great sabbatical, today!