Article Why sabbaticals are essential for career growth and retirement planning

I’ve often found that people hear the word ‘sabbatical’ and imagine it’s just an extended holiday for the wealthy.

But as sabbatical coach, Lyndall Farley, put it on a recent episode of the Money:Mindshift podcast: ‘The simplest way that I can define the word sabbatical is that it is an extended break from work. And the purpose of that is to recharge and pursue other interests.'

‘It’s really an intentional break for rest, recharge and pursuing other interests.’

Taking a sabbatical can be a transformative experience, allowing people to return to their careers – and lives – with renewed energy, a willingness to grow, and fresh perspectives. Except, according to our research, just under a fifth of UK workers have taken one¹ – why is that when they could be so essential to both our personal and career growth?

Why Gen X needs sabbaticals more than anyone else

Our research found that, while 40% of Gen X (those aged 44-59 in the report) dream of taking a sabbatical, only 10% have actually done so. That’s the largest gap of any generation.¹

But, as Lyndall explained in the Money:Mindshift podcast, while they’re the people that need it the most, ‘they’re the least likely to take it because of these perceived financial pressures’.

For many Gen Xers, a job equals security, and money equals security. ‘That’s the way they see jobs. It’s security. Whereas millennials and Gen Z don’t see it like that so much anymore. And money is security. Right?’ Lyndall said.

She urged Gen Xers to think differently: ‘If they take a break now […], they have lived their life while they’re in their prime with their kids, experiencing all that is to live for in this chapter.’

How to plan a sabbatical

Of course, money matters. Lyndall outlined the three dials of sabbatical planning: time, money, and activities.

‘If you dial up the amount of time, you have to dial up your available money,’ she said. ‘If you dial up the number of activities or the expense of those activities, that has an implication on the budget,’ she said – adding: ‘It doesn't have to be this really expensive thing. And it doesn't have to be for a really long time.’

But, as she explained, this is just mechanics. The real foundation is mindset. Discover what financial wellbeing is and why it's important to shift your mindset  in our article.

‘What we don’t want is for somebody to approach the sabbatical with the same kind of anxious energy with which they live their life. And then just apply the anxiety, the perfectionism, the judgement, the guilt. And just carry that over into the sabbatical,’ she said.

Why mindset matters when it comes to sabbaticals

Mindset shapes the entire experience. Lyndall uses the metaphor building your ‘sabbatical house’ with the roof as your purpose, the walls as your key life themes (health, family, fun, career planning), and the foundation as your mindset.

‘You need to be spending time in each of these rooms during your sabbatical. And, you know, every day, every room, but, you know, spread out over the time.

‘A healthy mindset might be openness to new experiences or curiosity,’ she said. ‘They need to give themselves permission to fully embrace the time.’

She warned against carrying guilt into the sabbatical, though, saying: ‘We need people to be free from the guilt of taking the time off. They need to really allow themselves, giving themselves permission to fully embrace the time. That’s where the mindset piece is so important. Where your head’s at is going to determine the experience that you have.’

For more on shifting your mindset to begin with, you might want to check out our article on how to Money:Mindshift in 5 steps.

What is the cost of not taking a sabbatical?

As Lyndall nods to, this is where the Money:Mindshift comes in. It’s natural that a lot of us link money to security, but we should be challenging that idea.

Instead of focusing on what it would cost to take, instead ask yourself: what is the cost of not taking it? What could you be missing out on?

Lyndall shared her own story on the podcast about, not just taking one or two sabbaticals, but 12 – travelling to 65 countries along the way. ‘It sounds crazy, but it’s because I prioritised it, and it really has just become a way of life for me.

‘In my twenties, I backpacked around Europe […] living on the cheap. Now I’m married with a child […] and we have family sabbaticals.’

The key point is that sabbaticals are a way to enjoy life’s best experiences when they matter most. ‘What is most important for you right now?’ Lyndall asked.

‘Sometimes the answer is: “I’ve got to get my health back on track”,’ she said – or that you’re ‘losing time’ with your children. Or it could be: “I have always had this big dream to climb Kilimanjaro and I can’t do that in retirement. I’ll be too old”,’ Lyndall suggested.

Making your sabbatical happen

If you’re ready to take the leap, start with the ‘why’ – rather than jumping straight into the bucket list (the ‘what’). ‘Always start with why. Why do you need this break? What would be so important about it for you?’ Lyndall asked.

Then plan your sabbatical house: purpose, key life themes, and the right mindset. Adjust the three dials (time, money, and activities) until you find a mix that works. As Lyndall said: ‘A sabbatical is ultimately about living a bigger life, full of experiences. More than just the grind of work. It’s just the vehicle to allow you to live a big life full of experiences.’

It’s the why and how behind the reason that a sabbatical isn’t just a break. It’s a form of career growth and retirement planning that helps you live in the now, rather than deferring everything to a distant future. And finally putting you first should be a good enough reason to do it.