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The Benefits of Strategic Sabbaticals

DSC00103The concept I've lately been calling "Strategic Sabbaticals" involves taking intentional, restorative respites on a regular basis. These breaks can be tiny (one hour or so), or large (four weeks or more), or anything in between. (Actually, since we're making this up as we go, they could be anything we devise!) The intent is not merely to provide space in which to enjoy life, but rather, and more so, to enhance peak performance and keep one operating optimally. In America in particular, we have largely lost this practice. In our culture there appears to be no shame regarding material accumulation and ostentation, but even small periods of downtime are somehow frowned upon. For me, I'd rather spend my money on memories than material. And if the memories come with recharged batteries, that makes them all the more legitimate in the getting.

So just what can be expected from proper, restorative breaks? I offer just a few below, and perhaps you can add to this list in the comment section.

Boost your energy levels and refill your tanks.

Provide a chance for you to re-center yourself and get grounded.

Allow time for spiritual focus and a period of growth, worship, and study.

Eliminate stress from your system and build up a buffer against it for the future.

Increase your productivity and creativity by providing you true rest and restoration.

Allow you time to deeply consider your priorities in life, and how to live them out better on a daily basis.

Give you time to forge stronger relationships through a dose of both quality AND quantity time.

Provide a format within which you can create lasting, meaningful, deep memories.

Provide you the important health benefits only proper time off can bestow.  This leads to better longevity and sense of wellbeing.

Help you tap more fully into your potential and restore you to peak operating performance levels.

Help you realize that you should treat your time as importantly as you treat your money (remembering that time itself is your most valuable currency – it cannot be stored nor acquired in excess – you only get what you get).

 

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24 responses to “The Benefits of Strategic Sabbaticals”

  1. johnoliva Avatar
    johnoliva

    Thanks Chris! I was making memories last week with my family on our annual camping trip. It gave me time to spiritually refocus and spend time with the people who are most precious to me, my wife, children and the lord. Hope your having a good time in Italy!

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  2. Anna Walsh Avatar
    Anna Walsh

    I’ve been forgetting to stop and enjoy the flowers lately. You make a good case for doing so, even if for only a short period of time. Thanks!

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  3. Alex Obiden Avatar
    Alex Obiden

    I absolutely agree. I love the feeling of refocusing my energies. I would also add to that by saying that sometimes vacations are challenging. Not in the sense that they are difficult, or stressful, but it often seems they demand new thought. I can promise this, I’m not thinking about the same things while on a boat fishing as I think about at work. Vacations should in fact be restorative, but at least from my experience, sometimes a different challenge brings me to LIFE, pun intended. Thanks a ton Chris. You always give me something to contemplate.

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  4. Cathy - Team Rascals Avatar
    Cathy – Team Rascals

    Chris,
    When we used to go camping with our children, I saw it as a time to draw, paint, read and write.
    Yes, we swam, fished, hiked and did all the stuff that it took to keep a family of 4 fed and comfortable in the wilderness (fire building and maintenance, food preparation and clean up, getting water for dishes, etc). We also played games on rainy days, and found ways to entertain active, bored kids.
    But really, it was down time for all of us, and we knew it. Bob and I were both allowed 1 day each per a 2 week trip for ourselves, to go off on our own after breakfast and know we were not expected back before supper, as a time of prayerful retreat and reflection for the previous and coming years.
    Somehow, when we stopped camping, we lost that, and I think we need to get it back again.

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  5. Pete Nicolini Avatar
    Pete Nicolini

    Taking time for yourself has become a lost art and very difficult to do these days. Thanks Chris, for bringing up the topic and explaining why and how to take care of your most valuable asset….you.

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  6. Anthony Darkangelo Avatar
    Anthony Darkangelo

    Thanks Chris. As I read this I just finished a great book written by a friend called “He Restores My Soul” about the lose of a child and how faith got their family through this tough time. One of her points was her “Just Worship” theme. She discusses the importance of taking time to regroup. In my opinion what you suggest is not only , it’s required for balance.
    Be safe

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  7. Windy Stanton Avatar
    Windy Stanton

    This is so true! I love to get away every once in a while. I enjoy spending time in prayer and meditation and re-centering myself. I believe it helps you to see things in a new perspective. Some of my best ideas are on road trips!
    Thanks for your thoughtful insights. They are warmly received. 😀

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  8. Scott Staley Avatar
    Scott Staley

    Habit 7 has become one of my favourites – even more so when time is spent with those I love and great friends.
    Thank you for awakening the desire to recharge!

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  9. Jenny Salter Avatar
    Jenny Salter

    Chris, just reading these last few blogs makes me more relaxed!!!! We are about to take a road trip vacation with the kids and I will now remember to not make it a rushed trip, and just take it slow and enjoy the scenery God has blessed us with!
    Another great way to recharge as parents is a date night. Just to be able to go relax mentally as parents and just focus on being a couple!

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  10. Melissa McClure Avatar
    Melissa McClure

    Chris-
    I was always taught to work hard. As a child we took great camping trips, similar to those already discribed. However, as an adult I have struggled to put the time and resources to relax. Thank you for discribing the things needed to have a sabbatical. Thank you again.
    Melissa
    Team One Purpose.

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  11. SJ Barakony Avatar
    SJ Barakony

    Another winning post – hits the proverbial bullseye!
    I used to wonder why professional track education employees, i.e., professors, used to take either a semester or even a whole year off on sabbatical, back when I was an undergrad? It makes a whole lot more sense when put in this context.
    Since college, I’ve listened to a fellow named Orrin Woodward 😉 and his ‘Seven Habits’ CD many times and heard more about Habit 7 of Covey’s, and that helps a lot too.
    Pair that CD w/ this series of blogs, and boom! Truth. Disconnect the electronic leases, get “off the grid”, enjoy the 8 F’s in your Circle of Life, and serve enough people along the way! 🙂

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  12. Lori Pfister Avatar
    Lori Pfister

    Chris, another hit on the Blog charts!
    These Blogs and the upcoming book are what many people need to digest. It is a sad and common trait of our culture to boast of their possession of the latest pricey technology used mostly for entertainment, while seeing self care as optional or self indulgent.
    Thanks for using your voice loud enough for others to hear!

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  13. Teia Gareiss Avatar
    Teia Gareiss

    Create memories. Love it.

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  14. Dean Clouse Avatar
    Dean Clouse

    Excellent points! I would add “get a different perspective”. Sometimes we are in the hunt do much that we can’t be like a fly on the wall. A different perspective can really make our battles easier!

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  15. Robby Palmer Avatar
    Robby Palmer

    Excellent thoughts! So excited to read this book!

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  16. Soupie Shaw Avatar
    Soupie Shaw

    pushing past comfort zone, read blogs, never commented.However a challenge is a challenge!
    Can’t wait to read the book!! Go Gladiators…FREEDOM

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  17. Wes Smith Avatar
    Wes Smith

    Chris,
    In contemplating your thoughts I realized that I don’t take enough time to enjoy the journey. I believe that it’s during the creation of those memories that we learn who we truly are and what brings happiness. Thanks for the insight!

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  18. Rosemarie Lewandowski Avatar
    Rosemarie Lewandowski

    I have always thought that sabaticals were an awesome thing. Unfortunately, almost NO employer offers them. In 37 years of working, I have only know of one company that offered them. Thanks for reinforcing the need.

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  19. Laurie Tallio Avatar
    Laurie Tallio

    I love the expected outcomes from proper, restorative breaks! They all point to what should be our true priorities in life.

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  20. Linsey Konieczny Avatar
    Linsey Konieczny

    Chris, I love your comment that you would rather spend your money on memories than material! I couldn’t agree with you more! I just can’t wait to do more of it! 🙂 And thanks for the reminder of the importance of sabbaticals, no matter the length! It is truly amazing what a couple hours at the lake right up town can do for my body, mind & spirit! Keep on inspiring like only you can!

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  21. Michael S. Avatar
    Michael S.

    Thanks you Chris for pointing out how important our time is and not to spend it chasing things.

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  22. Andy Compton Avatar
    Andy Compton

    Loving these posts. Can’t wait to read the book.

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  23. Paul and Debbie Avatar
    Paul and Debbie

    Looking forward to reading this book!!

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  24. Chuck Cova Avatar
    Chuck Cova

    I’m learning to apply this in areas such as my workout – which I’ve always considered “me time”. However, the workouts themsleves can be so draining. I miss the opportunity for a short sabbatical.
    So, I’m learning to ease my way into and out of the workouts by slow warm-ups and cool-downs and a key component are the mental and emotional sides. It’s like I slowly decompress from the day and get energized for the workout. Afterward, I cool down to recover from the workout and slowly re-engage in what the balance of the day is about. Crazy what a well executed few minutes can do!

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