Apples to Kumquats: How a Sabbatical is so Not a Vacation

The Olympics have me in a China-like mood. Hence, here are some kumquats – mango-like texture fruits that look like miniature oranges- originating in China and so different from apples that a comparison is – well, not real smart.

Likewise, if you’re thinking a sabbatical is like a vacation – EEHHHHHH (Bad Buzzer Sound), you are so wrong.

First let’s consider that lovely little basic benefit – the v-a-c-a-t-i-o-n. Seems many of us adhere to vacation deprivation. WE DON’T WANT TO GO ON VACATION! At least 35 percent of us don’t according to the latest research. Why? Well, 10 percent say it’s just too hard to get away from work and 12 percent indicate that being paid for unused vacation days leads them to not use them. That leaves about 13% who maybe are just too tired to plan a vacation or un-enthused about all that family time. (I know that you are out there, because you have told me that small hotel rooms with cranky kids is not thrilling – it makes you just want to work.)

There are significant downsides to this: drain in overall effectiveness, productivity and creativity. “People don’t come up with new ideas, and they’re not refreshed, so they get stale,” according to Mark Thomas, president of recruiting firm Thomas Executive Resources.

Then there are other bad-vibe words like “burnt out”, “less enthusiastic”, “low energy”, “hurt family relationships” and the fact that no breaks from work lead to sleep deprivation. Ugh. Makes me want to stop writing this blog, hop a plane (another ugh) and go to the wine country for the rest of the week.

So now visualize the vacation as an apple (which you don’t have an appetite for) and imagine someone offers you a sabbatical (do you still see an apple?) NO. You should now see a kumquat, because the sabbatical is so not a vacataion.

Take a look at the difference.

Vacation ………..vs. Business Sabbatical

• Usually not goal oriented ………..Achieves personal and career goals
• Reflection is possible …………..Intentional reflection is necessary
• Work waits upon return ……………Work has a solid coverage plan
• BlackBerry is on ………………….BlackBerry is unplugged to business
• Optional sharing upon return ……………………………Planned sharing with boss and co-workers
• Planned according to interests ………………………Planned according to interests and necessary outcomes
• Little input from others ………………………….Seeks input from other sabbatical takers, boss
• Paid with short-term funds …………………………………Needs long-term financial plan
• Little thought to enhancing career/life………………………..Purpose is to enhance career/life
• Focus on recovery ……………………….Focus on rejuvenation
• Possible increase in creativity……………………..Intentional focus on more creative juice
• Postcards optional ………………………………..“Here’s what I learned about myself” postcards critical
  

It’s not unusual to mistake a sabbatical for a vacation, initially; but once you realize it’s kumquatness, it won’t happen again. We know people who can’t wait for their next company-provided sabbatical, all the while piling up unused vacation days.

I find that interesting. Do you?