Adrian Pittaway’s Post

⛵🧐 Allow yourself to experiment. Don’t be afraid to walk away and embark on a journey of self-discovery. That's the purpose of a sabbatical. 🤓 🌄 Benefits of taking a sabbatical extend far beyond the individual perception. 💡🔥 Upon returning, many employees report feeling more engaged, productive, and innovative, with fresh ideas and renewed passion for their work. 📍👉 Here are 3 pillars that played a crucial role in my self-actualization: -Indulgence: relish life’s pleasure, replenish energy and reignite joy -Introspection: practice self-examination, gratitude, and mindfulness -Connection: cultivate meaningful relationships What do you think? #sabbatical #wellbeing #sabbaticalyear #careerbreak

𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞, 𝐈 𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐒𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫. 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐲 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐈 𝐤𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤, 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬, 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐠𝐨𝐚𝐥𝐬. 𝐍𝐨𝐰, 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐬𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐝𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐢𝐭, 𝐈 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐦𝐲 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞. In the beginning, I had lots of questions about how I wanted to spend these 5 - 6 months, but at least I knew what I wanted to avoid: these were my Top 3 Don'ts. 🏖 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭, 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐚 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐤, 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭! Maybe it sounds obvious, but here in Hungary, I think it is not obvious at all. In fact, it is still rare to do such a thing. Luckily, I had some inspiration, as I know people I admire for their braveness to follow their own journey: Janos Vadas, Melissa Hockenberry, Katrin Terwiel ❤️ ⏰ 𝐀𝐥𝐬𝐨, 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟-𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐠𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞! Take the liberty to change the end date, finish it earlier if you feel that you are done, or extend it if you still have something to achieve and you are not ready to go back into the ring. Probably, to an upgraded ring! 😉 💶 𝐈 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐠𝐨 𝐨𝐧 𝐚 𝐬𝐚𝐛𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲. Some people can go on a paid sabbatical or are in a financial situation where 4-6 months of no income doesn't matter, but for most of us, taking a break from work without pay can be a daunting prospect. My rule in this matter was to make a reasonable budget and get rid of unnecessary spending. After that, I affirmed that it was going to be OK, and accepted that focusing on my physical and mental health cost money. I should consider it as an investment with a promise of great interest! 📈 My sabbatical wasn't perfect, there are things I would do differently, but taking the time to focus fully on myself was a great and very timely decision. 𝐈 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐎𝐈 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠! In the upcoming weeks, I plan to share my remaining "Don'ts" with you. By the way, have you ever been on a sabbatical? #sabbatical #personalgrowth #mindfulness #investinyourself

Sabbatical epiphany #2164 - My “enough” meter is broken. Or at least needs recalibration. In our hustle-driven culture, productivity is king, both at work and home, especially in the U.S. I've thrived in this environment, building a successful career by getting sh*t done. But as we know, an overused strength can become our downfall if left unchecked. The first two months of my sabbatical were among my busiest ever, even without my 9-5. I was catching up on life!!! But I kept questioning: Am I doing enough? Moving fast enough? Spending enough time with my kids? Resting enough? “Enough?” was my constant companion. When is “enough” truly enough? Daily reflection has helped me notice and celebrate even the smallest of wins. It’s my first step on this recalibration journey. I know "daily reflection" sounds obnoxiously simple, but it’s harder than it seems. At work, it's even tougher. Our teams achieve amazing things daily, often unnoticed or uncelebrated. And sometimes we even gloss over the big wins. It's no wonder people feel burnt out when they don't feel seen. I’m still “unpacking” all this, and I know I’m not done. And I know I’m not alone on this journey. I’m curious, how do you manage your “enough” meter? NOTE: AI generated image. I went with the “whimsical” version because why not? 😊 #WorkLifeBalance #ProductivityCulture #LeadershipDevelopment #MindfulLiving #BurnoutPrevention

How to talk about a sabbatical when you're ready to start your next chapter (or go back to work)👇 Use this mad-libs-esque formula to make it: 1) Intentional 2) Introspective   3) Interesting  After trigger or catalyst [XX years at a company, having a second child], I decided to take a sabbatical to do a thing I wanted to do [explore my purpose, spend time with family, travel]. I had a chance to [insert memorable anecdote or two]. And with the gift of time and space, [thing you learned about yourself, the world, or your next step]. ----- For me, it sounded like this: "After several years at a big company, I knew my purpose was pulling me toward something else, but I wasn't clear on exactly what that was. I decided to take a sabbatical to figure it out. I went looking for my epiphany moment - unfortunately, it wasn't waiting for me at the bottom of the Grand Canyon or at the end of a 10-day meditation course.  Along the way, I did gain enough clarity to start experimenting with writing and helping people find their own purpose and next chapter." ----- Short. Sweet. Invites follow-up questions and great conversation. How do you talk about your #sabbatical??

Sabbatical. Many of us took it before, and realised that it is too short. Because the next moment, we are back in gear, ramping up the CV to get another job. We used to think big corporate names add to our value, as it makes the CV look good. Indeed, we get loads of privileges. But look carefully and you will realise that most retrenchments start at the big branded names. So many tech companies, banking giants continue their downsizing. Those who are left behind, do double the work and continue to drive the big ship. Years ago, I resigned from my high paying job to rediscover myself. I was like a fish jumping out of water, and I gasped for air. This personal reinvention took courage and time. You will have to fight doubt and guilt. On the personal journey of self discovery, I took note of my interests, and what excites me, my strengths. At the same time, I saw all my personal flaws and shortcomings that resulted in who I was. Applying self awareness, I corrected the false beliefs. One of those false beliefs, was I had to constantly prove my worth and existence. Lol. Years past, people come and go, reality sets in, I begin to understand life is about me. And that a #balance is what we should aim for. Too much travelling (as most people do for sabbaticals) can only show you different cultures and makes your realise how blessed you already are. You see people live differently, some with more opportunities, some lesser. Yet, they are happier due to their ignorance, whilst those with more are continuing their struggle to get even more! 😉 Too much work on the other hand leads to burnout because people expect a "S" ton of results from you, especially your bosses. They load you with more when you are capable. 😄 Too much self indulgence e.g. food, entertainment, drinks, poker games, hobbies etc..leads to a decadent lifestyle and you will get bored.🙃 Too much excitement causes you to risk it all. Some friends who loves mountain biking would travel to conquer those dangerous mountains and break a few bones everytime. But they will still do it again. duh! because they live / die for it.😛 Hence, there are many ways to live your life. The keynote is to find your #balance. A little excitement, a little indulgence (ice cream), a little work for fulfilment and to pay the bills, a little travelling to have some fun with family and friends may be the solution. And wherever you are now, practice daily gratitude. E.g. You are blessed to be able to read and think. We live in a big but 'small' world. Nobody is going to remember you when you quit your job. Yet, some people are intertwined in our lives, they are living nodes that connect to us by the all-knowing God. Perhaps those are the people we can learn from. What do you think? #JNconsulting #lifestories #balance #jobs #work

Sabbatical Series: Resfeber - The Intersection of Anticipation and Anxiety Have you ever felt the restless excitement mixed with anxiety before a journey begins? There's a beautiful Swedish word for that: Resfeber (pronounced RACE-fay-ber), meaning 'travel fever.' 🇸🇪 Travel fever hit me hard before my 3-month sabbatical. I found countless reasons NOT to take the leap and jump on the plane. 🛫 I eventually booked my flight to Singapore the day before departure, and I didn’t even have a hotel booked until I arrived at Heathrow Airport! 🏨 I wish I could say this was due to my free spirit and laissez-faire approach to life, but the truth is, I was caught in a cycle of hesitation and overthinking. I kept telling myself, "I’m just going exploring for 3 months." 🗓️ Have you ever noticed how "just" can trap us in oversimplification? Consider these examples: -> "I’ll just go to bed a little earlier tonight, to improve my sleep." -> "I’ll just work on that important project next week." -> "I’ll just go to the gym tomorrow." Using "just" often downplays the effort needed and leads to procrastination. In my case, it meant avoiding proper planning! 📝 To overcome this, we might need to unleash our inner engineer: sometimes, going backwards is the best way to move forward. Here’s how: -> Define your desired outcome: For instance, "In order to achieve [outcome goal], I need to XXX." -> Get specific: Break it down further, "To achieve [outcome goal], I need to XXX. To achieve XXX, I need to YYY." -> Identify required skills: Brainstorm all the skills and steps needed to reach your goal. This approach helps clarify what you need and sets you on a solid path to success. ✅ I’ve made a commitment to stop "just" thinking and start planning my dreams into reality. 💭 What are you "just" thinking about doing? --- 📸 Marina @ The Bay, Singapore 🇸🇬 - I'm glad I got on that plane 😂

**A Sabbatical's Power: Personal Insights and Transformations in Self Love** Taking a sabbatical was a profound experience for me. It offered me the chance to pause, reflect, recharge, and discover new ways to love and care for myself—a much-needed opportunity in my journey. It allowed me to reassess my priorities, gain clarity on my life's direction, and renew my sense of purpose. This journey of self-discovery not only contributed to my overall well-being but also offered me a fresh perspective on life and work. In this season of love, taking a break can help underscored the importance of intentional rest and reflection. For me, it was a reminder of the power of pausing amidst life's busyness. Through this experience, I've learned the transformative potential of moments of introspection and self-care. And I am loving myself much more! Are you ready to embrace the transformative potential of moments like these in your own journey? #SabbaticalReflections #SelfDiscovery #LifeTransformation

🌟 Taking a Break: The Power of a Sabbatical Year 🌟 After 15 years of navigating the fast-paced world of customer operations, I decided it was time for a pit stop. 🚀💼 Taking a sabbatical year has been a game-changer! Here’s why: 1. Recharge & Refresh: Burnout is real, folks. A year off has recharged my batteries and given me a fresh perspective. 🧘♂️🔋 2. New Skills & Hobbies: From learning to cook (without burning the kitchen) to picking up a new psychology certification, I’ve discovered passions I never knew I had. 🍳🗣️ 3. Quality Time: More time with family and friends has been priceless. Plus, my dogs (my sweet Yorkies) are thrilled to have me around more! 🐶❤️ 4. Professional Growth: Reflecting on my career and setting new goals has been incredibly empowering. 📈✨ 5. Travel & Adventure: Exploring new places and cultures has broadened my horizons and inspired new ideas. Peak Everest, here I come! 🌍✈️ If you’re feeling the grind, consider a sabbatical. It might just be the best decision you ever made! 💡 #Sabbatical #CareerBreak #WorkLifeBalance #ProfessionalGrowth #Recharge #familytime #motherdaughter #time #mindfulness #mediations #learning #passions #newskills #inspire #team #developement #better #efficient #peak

It's been over a month since I went on a sabbatical And here's how I feel: ✔️ One of the best decisions I made. I'm loving my life without rules and schedules ✔️ Taking a break when things are good is one of the best ways to do it As Gretchen Rubin says in her book, The Happiness Project: "I didn't want to wait for a crisis to remake my life" I am glad I didn't either! ✔️ Emptying my mind of the endless daily noise allowed for clarity to take its place! I didn't realise HOW MUCH I needed this break! ✔️ Was it hard to give up everything I really worked hard for, esp in the last one year? No! I guess I am truly designing my life now ✔️ A lot of thinking also led me to understand why I really had to take a break and take it yesterday - the lack of self check in I worked for a decade (well! 10 yrs this sept) straight through personal set backs and periods of grief ✔️ Burnout is not just for stressful corporate careers - running a business solo can also do it! My work became my identity and literally everything else sort of faded away I am nowhere near wanting to get back to work...yet! So what the hell have I done in the last 5 weeks!! :) - I have truly found joy in doing nothing - Looking out of the window is my favourite pastime - I love waking up to a quiet mind with no hurry to get any where - I enjoy my tea in the morning - my laptop lying neglected somewhere - I haven't gotten as much reading done, but hey! no timelines on that either - The biggest thing I have learnt is being able to go down internet rabbit holes - something that I ABSOLUTELY couldn't do before! When I feel I am wasting time watching/reading something mindless, I know I am doing the sabbatical right! :) So how have you all been? What's up with y'all? :) Spill the tea! 😎 #UpskillWithSuman #communication

Are you thinking of a SABBATICAL? Well, I went on my sabbatical when my daughter was just over a year. The stress from work, travel and more so not being able to spend enough time with her, that guilt consciousness was taking a toll on my health, and I knew I needed a break. However, a break from work may mean different things to different people. But I guess it's something that each one of us must consider at some point in our lives. Why take a sabbatical? 1. That’s because you get to destress and recharge yourself- physically and more so mentally. 2. You get time to explore new interests, read extensively, and learn new skills.  3. The break serves best to inculcate a fresh perspective and renewed energy. When should you take a sabbatical? 1. When you see signs of burnout, are often stressed. 2. When there is a significant life transition. 3. When you need clarity or a new direction in your life or career. If you’re feeling the strain, maybe it's time for a BREAK! #Sabbatical #MentalHealth #PersonalGrowth #CareerDevelopment #WorkLifeBalance #ProfessionalGrowth