To any stressed employee, the thought of a sabbatical from work - a long time off with the guarantee of your job to go back to - sounds like absolute heaven. But, without proper planning, the reality can prove to be rather different.

Robert Levine, with 17 years of hi-tech and financial-industry consulting, has enjoyed several sabbaticals in recent years, with varying results. And in his new book 'Power Sabbatical', he offers his experiences and a host of useful suggestions to help others get the best out of their extended break from work.

But the kind of sabbatical he refers to is definitely not just a long and expensive holiday.

He explains: 'I define a power sabbatical as a sabbatical focused not just on rest and rejuvenation, but also on achieving greater life and career focus and achievement. As the “power walk” has an aim beyond just getting from point A to point B, and the “power nap” is about more than just sleep, the power sabbatical serves many needs.'

Why take a sabbatical?

Robert is clear that although redundancy, stress and job dissatisfaction are among the most common and justified reasons for taking a sabbatical, many others simply reach a stage where they long for more out of life.

He believes that the day-to-day of living and surviving often overtakes us and does not allow us time, solitude, and quiet to reflect on and answer difficult questions about what we want for the future, but adds: 'A sabbatical can be a perfect opportunity to do this – and to reposition your life the way you want it to be.'

The author is quite clear that you must accept that a sabbatical – like all life-changing events – is going to cost you.

'Unless your employer offers you paid sabbatical time, you're going to have to take unpaid leave (or resign outright), or plan a working sabbatical whereby you work part of the time while on sabbatical,' he explains.

And Robert, who has enjoyed extended spells in Holland, London and Israel, strongly advocates taking a working sabbatical, unless you can convince your current employer to sponsor you.

Amid all the funding suggestions, planning options and practical advice necessary for a sabbatical either at home or abroad, Robert has one piece of advice that shines through: you need a sense of humour.

He adds: 'Leave your “regular” life and lifestyle behind, and realise that this sabbatical will entail different standards of living, different experiences and people, life from a whole new perspective, and quite a bit of patience. You will have to draw upon the ability to laugh at your situation and yourself.'

Sabbatical tips

It helps to make the idea of your sabbatical attractive to your employer, so consider some projects you can accomplish on a sabbatical that could help your career in the long term: • Writing a book or a series of articles
• Meeting clients/competitors
• Doing market research directly in a new market
• Learning other skills, crafts, arts and techniques at the source or with a master practitioner
• Learning other languages
• Immersion in a culture that is, or will become, important to your company or business
• Meeting and spending time with other colleagues
• Going back to full-time studying

'Power Sabbatical' by Robert Levine is available at www.findhornpress.com

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