Me and my brother, Nick, in Slovenia

So, I have to admit that I feel lucky in how early an appreciation for international travel hit me. As a senior in high school (over a decade ago now!) I ran with the study abroad crew for a while. With friendly faces from 2 continents, I stayed in touch until college when I went to Spain and Brazil on trips to visit old friends.

I intensified my travels in college with the help of lots of Delta-employed friends. And so the travel bug grew bigger.

By the end of college, travel was my LIFE. I mean, if I had a 5-day weekend coming up, I would grab a friend and fly standby to Ireland for $250. FIRST CLASS. It was amazing.

What I came to realize about myself was that I traveled because it gave me a sense of freedom and joy that nothing matched. It refreshed my soul like nothing else could. And it’s a drug I’ve been on since.

People can be separated into two groups – those that think that traveling for 4 months is a life-must and those that think that traveling for 4 months is irresponsible. As a member of the former, I have chosen to travel during career transitions more than anything. This fine website is dedicated to growing the sabbatical in American business, something I wholeheartedly support. But how I’ve made this happen is key.

Traveling during career transitions can occur before a job, after a job or any other time where you have a major new life step coming along, including starting or leaving college. And the key to traveling during career transitions is successful, long term planning. A year and a half before undergrad graduation, I had started the planning of my 4-month around-the-Pacific trip.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

So, take advantage of transitions in your life and make sure you start preparing EARLY. I’m not saying plan every detail, but the earlier you decide, the more cash you can save up, the cheaper your flights will be, and the easier it is for you to immerse yourself in the travel Twitter space (a must).

Don’t be afraid. Take the step. It’s the first along a life of travel being your most intense passion. Which is a good thing.

(PS – Check out HostelDog.com for shirts that help you remember daily why you’re going on that huge trip!)

Cusco, Peru

From Victoria Mountain, Hong Kong, China

Garrett will be an expert panelist at Meet, Plan, Go! on the evening of September 14th in Atlanta at REI. The event is free but registration is required. Come join us!

Me and Raymondo

I’d been to South Africa on holiday previously and whilst on safari, I noticed a research vehicle driving around following the animals and taking notes. I looked up the website address on their vehicle and found out that it was a volunteer conservation company, where people could volunteer with them and help with the research. So I spoke to my employer, got my sabbatical approved and booked my place on the volunteer project. As well as this, I also booked a safari guide course which I thought would give me a good understanding of the African wildlife.

So after many months of counting down the days, I was off to South Africa where I completed the safari guide course and started the volunteering project. I was in Africa, having the time of my life and didn’t have a single worry in the world! Could life get any better than this? Well you’d expect me to say “NO”, however the answer is “YES” as my life was about to make a huge directional change for the better.
To cut a long story short, one of the safari lodges on the reserve had a guide leave and I was asked to replace them for a week. A week became two weeks, which became five and by the end of my time they offered me a full time job! So I flew back to the UK, sold my house, sold my car, took voluntary redundancy (thanks ACE!!!) before flying back to South Africa four months later.

I then worked as a safari guide whilst I obtained more qualifications, became promoted to the manager of the five start lodge, and after a number of years ended up back at the volunteering company, where I worked as a staff member and eventually became manager there too!

So am I still there now?…Nope, I left and moved to Costa Rica where I set up a new company, which I then bought from the owners, moved it to the UK and now own Yomps, which is a gap year, career break and adventure travel company, selling lots of amazing trips all over the world, including the original safari guide course that started my new life!

Rolled out in 2007 along with a personal sabbatical program, General Mills’ “Innovation Sabbatical” is only offered to members of the company’s “Innovation, Technology and Quality” organization, which is comprised of employees in roles related to research and development, nutrition, quality and engineering. After 7 years of service, these employees may apply for an Innovation Sabbatical that is fully paid for up to 12 months. Expenses related to the sabbatical are also paid.

The following are highlights from a recent discussion about General Mills’ Innovation Sabbatical between yourSABBATICAL’s Elizabeth Pagano and Sandy Haddad, Manager of Flexibility & Inclusion at General Mills and the new overseer of the company’s sabbatical offerings. Haddad was on the HR committee that developed the program.

Q: Tell me a little more about the eligibility requirements for your Innovation Sabbatical.

A: We’re looking for people who have proven their strong performance and have deep experience at General Mills. It’s a reward. We have a steering committee that reviews all of the proposals that come in and makes the decision of who is approved to take an innovation sabbatical, based on how the applicants’ requests meet the criteria of the program.  The steering committee includes the most senior, influential leaders in the group, including the senior vice president who heads the Innovation Technology and Quality organization. Before rolling out the Innovation Sabbatical, we had those folks out in front of employees talking about the program, how it relates to our innovation strategy, and why we’re excited about it.

Q: Briefly, what is the process for applying?

A: We have an online form that can be filled out and turned in to anyone on the committee.

Q: How many have applied since the program’s inception in 2007?

A: Roughly 15.

Q: Is there a cap?

A: No. We are targeting about two per year.

Q: How many people have been on an Innovation Sabbatical so far, and what kinds of things did they do?

A: Five employees have taken Innovation Sabbaticals. They fall into two categories: one category is very science based around product development, coming up with new, proprietary opportunities and solutions around nutrition; the second category is more about organizational capabilities which are not specific to one product but will have implications across the company’s portfolio of brands and businesses. For example, one person really focused on using social media and networking to expand our innovation capabilities. He brought back a very robust understanding of the social media landscape, the potential, and how to leverage it internally and externally. While on sabbatical, he worked in another organization – not a competitor – that was also interested in learning more about social media…so he had a playground of sorts and also spent time benchmarking across a broad array of organizations. Another employee partnered with a higher education institution for his sabbatical. And another person worked with a small organization that General Mills is already partnering with to expand our contacts with leading-edge innovators; with this particular organization’s network we went from having a network of a handful to a network of more than 100 innovators around the world who we can tap into.

Q: What kinds of business outcomes have you observed from this program?

A: Culturally, it has really reinforced the commitment we have to people, innovation, and experimentation. We didn’t  want people to get stuck thinking “Well, what if my idea doesn’t work?” People needed to know that we want them to go way outside the box and that failure is a possibility but we won’t look at it as failure. From an individual stand point, the impact has been huge. Personal learning, confidence, and development have been evident. And these individuals were also able to build their external network more, which feeds right into innovation. Also, they’ve had unique opportunities to interact more frequently with the senior leadership of the organization..

Q: How is this program perceived within General Mills?

A: Very well. Those who’ve done it come back refreshed, energized, and are bringing back great innovation to General Mills. The biggest challenge was convincing people that we really mean it and to go for it. We said “Don’t let your own mental barriers stop you from going for it.”

Q: How is work coverage handled? Is there a specific process or does it depend on unit/team?

A: Many employees at General Mills have rotational assignments, and Innovation Sabbaticals are targeted to occur at the end of a rotation, when a different employee would be taking over the position either way.

Q: What are some of the expectations of an employee who is accepted for an Innovation Sabbatical?

A: Part of the application process – but it’s also up to the person’s manager – is to ensure that before leaving, the employee is clear on what the objectives are and how they’ll be evaluated. We do tie the sabbatical in to the employee’s performance rating and layout the expectation that when they come back, they’ll present what they learned  to people throughout the organization – not just in one presentation or paper. For example, the person who worked on social media while on sabbatical is still working on tying it back to the organization. He’s considered an internal consultant on social media.

Q: How do you think your sabbatical program(s) contributes to GMI’s “best company” status?

A: It’s rather unique to go out on a paid sabbatical. And since we’ve increased the duration from 6 to 12 months, it’s a generous and exciting program that complements all we’re doing around flexibility, while also promoting innovation… and that’s a company that I want to work for. We  truly trust and empower employees to experiment and dig deep into topics about which they are passionate. This benefits them from a development and satisfaction standpoint, and it has a tremendous benefit on our business.

Aaargghh!!!  What a shame. Mendelssohn’s win –  a sabbatical research fellowship from the University of Utah -  gave her the feeling of being blessed with a “golden ticket” after years of diligent, persistent work and achievements. Research for her second academic book (the cover for her first book is pictured here) was a primary goal for her career break.

But then, her high-achieving tendencies took over and now her story seems like a segment of a sabbatical reality show of “things gone wrong.”

In work, in life, and in sabbaticals, there’s a universal truth: Trying to do too much is not productive. I’d repeat that for emphasis, but here’s something even better: Trying to do too much on sabbatical can lead to a failed sabbatical.

For those considering a sabbatical or planning one now, Mendelssonhn imparts her “greatest” piece of wisdom – sabbatical success depends on managing expectations.  That clearly means realistic expectations.

Indeed, a little guidance could have made all the difference for Mendelssohn, who blames only herself for accomplishing so few of the things on her sabbatical wish list. (Read the entire 8^th paragraph of the Times article for the description of  her goals.)

Think it can’t happen to you?  Here are three tips to help manage expectations for your sabbatical:

1. Be selfish with this opportunity.  Your family, spouse, partner in life, and your mother will have all sorts of ideas for what you can and should do.  Make the majority of the time count for what you want as a goal.
2. Having objectives is very important but keep those sabbatical goals to two or possibly three.  (Mendelssohn had eight.  A good coach would have insisted she prioritize and drop five of them.)
3. Allow 6-8 months of sabbatical planning time.  That may seem like a lot, but this is an important opportunity that only comes along every 5-7 years (if you are working for a great employer who offers it) or once in a lifetime.  You’ll spend time reviewing professional and personal goals; then choose the best sabbatical experience for you at this time in your life and career.

Mendelsohn’s first sabbatical offers an insight in “what not to do” when it comes to being realistic about a break away from one’s job.  Yet, you have to admire her transparency and her spirit.  Despite the disappointment, especially where that second book is concerned, she  still says, “I’ve had a great time.”

I predict that Michele Mendelssohn’s positive nature will serve her well when she’s ready for that second sabbatical.  After she’s finished slashing and burning her sabbatical dream list, she’ll be left with all that really matters for a stunning second try.

There’s also the sabbatical experience to plan as well and some things appear only, it seems, in this last week. And don’t forget you’ve gotta pick up that thyroid prescription for little Janice and look for the passport that you haven’t laid eyes on 10 years. (Where is it?)

At work, snarling, jealous co-workers whisper behind your back and have pasty smiles as you dole out your work to them.  “Is this going to be really worth it?” you think.

Molly Thomas of Abacus Planning Group

Guess what? It’s not like that at all.

Take Molly Thomas on the Client Services Team at Abacus Planning Group. Molly has two more days at work before she leaves on a four-week sabbatical and gets totally disconnected from work.  (It’s the rule.) Molly and her sabbatical plans were featured in a  January post.

Molly was kind enough to take us inside the “world of an about-to-be sabbatical-goer.”

What I discovered from my discussion with Molly is that when a company really commits to a career break for its employees, the experience expands to many more people than just the sabbatical-goer - in good ways of collaboration and celebration. Abacus Planning Group, a fee-only investment counsel and financial planning firm in Columbia, South Carolina, offers employees a 4-week paid sabbatical after 5 years.  (Other companies that offer sabbaticals are on the yS Workplaces for Sabbaticals list.) Here are some highlights from my conversation with Molly:

Me: How does this last week feel and how are your co-workers doing?

Molly:  My last couple of days are flying! I guess I expected that, but there are not enough hours in the day.  Co-workers have been wonderful and supportive of my sabbatical.  I have received many well wishes!

Me: Has the preparation and the planning for your sabbatical been different that what you might have expected?

Molly: I am not sure exactly what I expected this last week to be like.  I knew it would be hectic, but was given direction and focus from Abacus’s president , Cheryl Holland.  Cheryl  recommended that I print and distribute my “open activies” report  for each of the financial advisors.  I ran this report to show current open activites, as well as those activities that are upcoming and highlighting all to each advisor.  This one activity,  communicated to each advisor all open and upcoming “to dos” for our clients.  Cheryl also asked me to delegate a couple of items to other employees, who quickly stepped up to the plate!

Me: What’s uppermost on your mind about the sabbatical experience ahead?

Molly:  Uppermost on my mind is to make sure I don’t leave any major “hanging chads” at work.  My husband and I are busy making last minute travel plans.  Almost everything is in place, with the exception of our bike tour of the Gardens and Palace of Versailles.  Lastly and most importantly, I am arranging the day-to-day life of my 16-year-old daughter, while I am out of the country…..probably my biggest challenge!

Thanks Molly and have a fantastic sabbatical.

Just got back from one of my favorite activities…CRUISIN!  My Aunt and I did the 7 day Royal Caribbean Cruise out of Galveston to Roatan, Honduras, Costa Maya and Cozumel.

In Roatan, we met up with my dear friend Marc in Gumbalimba Park.  This park has it all.  First, we did an amazing nature walk wherein we saw many black iguanas, beautiful flowers, and unusual trees. Then, we had a great time trying to cross the stream on an Indiana Jones style bridge.  Next, I got to play with a spider monkey and parrot. Such an awesome experience!!!

After the nature hike, I could not resist the opportunity to snorkel on the Jolly Roger Catamaran. The azure waters were calling me to come forth — LOL!!! Okay, I only stayed in about 15 minutes – but it was well worth it. I guess I was tired from eating too many deserts on the cruise ship.  A guide was beckoned to ”rescue” me.  He took  me back to the boat where I had a cool drink and then met a fitness pro champ, Nicole.  She has the BEST ABS!!!

We continued to explore the park and had a chance to talk with Olivia, who is excited about her work with the youth on the island.  After that, we were ready for more adventure by taking the clear kayak tour to see the coastline.   These kayaks have a clear bottom which enable you can see clear down into the sea — Amazing!!

Roatan really surprised us. The beaches were warm, the waters were crystal blue, the people were nice, and the variety of activities were great!  My Aunt and I had such a good time that we were trying to figure out a way to stay in Roatan instead of going back to the cruise ship.

More Beautiful Beaches

The next stop on the cruise was Costa Maya. This port is a fairly new development with a party type atmosphere and a variety of shopping options. We actually got a taxi to the downtown area and lounged on the beautiful beach for the whole day.

I continued lounging on the beach in Cozumel to get more “sabbatical rest”.  It was great!! We met up with Nicole and just did absolutely nothing…loved it!

Inspiration - Try not to become a (wo)man of success but rather try to become a (wo)man of value. (Albert Einstein)

Be Blessed!!

~A

Deloitte's Jessica Muhlenberg

What company launches a two-tiered sabbatical program in a down economy?  Deloitte does!  And with great success, I learned yesterday when I got an update from Jessica Muhlenberg, Senior Manager of Benefits.

A previous post described the kick-off of Deloitte’s two sabbatical offerings for US employees:

1.  Four weeks of unpaid and unrestricted time off. Offered to any employee who has given at least six months of continuous service and has good performance ratings.

2.  Three to six months of time off to pursue career development or volunteer experiences. Offered to high performers who have been with the company for at least two years, this sabbatical offering comes with 40% of base salary.

In June 2009, Muhlenberg reported that the company had received seven applications, one approved, and lots of interest. That was a nice beginning for what was to come.  So far, 50 employees have gone on sabbatical!

Here are the highlights of the conversation with Jessica:

• Of the 50 employees who have gone on sabbatical, 40 experienced the one-month sabbatical and 10 utilized the longer sabbatical of 3-6 months.
• Deloitte is especially pleased with participation since the program crosses all business units – tax, audit, accountancy, etc.
• A best practice has been established for asking their Talent Delivery folks to be open-minded when considering whether a proposed activity for a 3-6 month sabbatical would meet the requirement for career development or volunteerism. “We didn’t want to provide a specific definition of what would or would not qualify for the sabbatical,” explained Muhlenberger. That’s great thinking, because there are SO many possibilities.
• Deloitte has experienced  few challenges with program; doesn’t plan to make any changes; and wants to continue to focus keeping participation high.
• Featured sabbatical stories on the company’s very active intranet lets employees know how others are utilizing their sabbatical experiences and creates interest.

Jessica provided a thoughtful, no-nonsense answer for my last question, “What’s the best business outcome  for Deloitte?” She said: That it continues to be perceived positively as part of the Total Rewards Program; that it continues good success as a viable option for employees at Deloitte who want to step out.

I became hooked on long-term travel after backpacking in Europe and studying in London while at Syracuse University. After that experience, it was easy to decide to delay a career after graduation and go backpacking again. My partner in crime was Holly, whom I met the very first day at Syracuse. She had studied in Australia one summer during high school and mentioned that she wanted to revisit after graduation. Still high on my experiences in London, I quickly jumped on board to go.

We got jobs for a few months in our various fields to make some money and gain professional experience, but we weren’t as crazed about finding them as our fellow classmates were. Our eye was on six-months of backpacking in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. So in a way, this was our gap year post college.

When we finally set off on our journey it was 1995. And at that point I decided I would return again to Sydney in 2000 for the Olympics. But this time I wanted to add on Vietnam & Cambodia, two countries that I had a great fascination with. That trip was to be alone, but once Holly got wind of it, she decided she would come along as well. It’s hard to find a good travel partner, but in Holly I had a fantastic travel partner, so I couldn’t say no!

The one caveat was that she needed more time to save money and she wanted to trek in Nepal. It was worth forgoing the Olympics in order to have Holly as a companion, so the date was set for Fall 2001.

During this time in my career, I had an ideal job for myself with the Starlight Children’s Foundation in New York City. I had always been involved with philanthropies from a very young age, and being a survivor of childhood cancer, I felt strongly in Starlight’s mission of helping seriously ill children, their families, and the hospitals that treat them. I was given a great deal of responsibilities, including managing the volunteer & intern programs, overseeing three major special events (two galas and a sports auction), as well as all marketing materials and newsletters. I was able to combine my loves of design, event planning, and volunteering all into one.

As the end of 2000 was approaching, I began plotting my travels. By the time I was to leave, I would have been with Starlight for 5-1/2 years. I was already getting antsy with my role and since it was such a small organization, I knew if I wanted to move up, I would need to move on. Then in December of 2000 a new opportunity presented itself.

As part of my job, I worked closely with the in-house video production facility of our corporate sponsor producing our yearly fundraising video. Well, I suppose I worked more closely with them than was required because I fell in love with production. Before I knew it I was creating outlines, scripts, & storyboards, as well as conducting interviews and overseeing shoots & edits. It was a different industry for me yet I was able to use my skills in new ways, while learning so much.

At that time, the editor I worked with took over managing the facility. He approached me and asked if I’d be interested in working for him. Since we already had a great working relationship, I saw this as an excellent opportunity for me to break into the production world. But what about my planned career break?

I decided that my planned travels were still important to me, and was able to negotiate that time off before I had even started. A few things I had going for me was an already established working relationship, and one where my skills and work ethics were respected. And I was technically being hired as a consultant, so despite not receiving benefits, the biggest benefit I cherished was the opportunity to have the flexibility to travel.

So my career break in fact turned into a sabbatical!

This experience taught me that it’s important to keep your eye on your dreams, and for me that involved travel. And even when life throws you a curve ball (and it will), don’t look at it as moving you off course. Look at it as a different path to lead you to your goals.

So what happened on my sabbatical? That will have to wait for another post – but here’s a preview of our trek on the Annapurna Circuit!

Molly Thomas with Abacus

While  more than enough good ideas for your upcoming sabbatical may exist, finding the “best” experience is critical. Given career ambitions, should you consider a global leadership experience or is this the time for personal rejuvenation?  Is including family a good idea? Or this time, perhaps not?

Part of finding “your best” sabbatical can be  to take an idea and stretch it by asking:

Can I add an element that’s a little over-the-top?

What if I were to go out of my  comfort zone?

Not only might this new idea have more potential to achieve your goals, it also may  make your heart race a little faster – either from pure excitement or fear. Great, you might be on to something.

Molly Thomas’ upcoming first  sabbatical – “a trip of a lifetime” – came from the “stretch” process.  As part of the  Client Services Team at Abacus Planning Group, she’s eligible for a 4-week paid sabbatical. Abacus Planning Group, a fee-only investment counsel and  financial planning firm located in Columbia, South Carolina, offers employees a 4-week paid sabbatical after 5 years.   (To find other companies that provide sabbatical programs, check  ”workplaces for sabbaticals.”)

What started out as a stay-cation (she’d get some things done around the house and throw in a jaunt to San Francisco) is now a full-tilt-across-the-Pond-I-can’t-wait-for-April career break.

Now for a drum roll please. Going to Europe is a first-time experience for Molly.  (wooowheee!)

What caused Molly to re-think her original idea? “My daughters inspired me,” said Molly. Two of her daughters have traveled in Europe – more than once.  While I was speaking with Molly, one of those daughters, a sophomore in college, was tweeting her way across Spain to Barcelona.

Hearing her daughters’ experiences must have inspired Molly to ponder:  I’ve never done that. Could I do that?

Fantastic thought for stretching an idea  when looking for your best sabbatical.

Molly’s  sabbatical is a “hybrid” sabbatical – using time to be involved in several different experiences.  First, she’ll spend some Spring Break time with one of her daughters; then depart with her husband for the across-the-pond experience.  Using the last few days of her sabbatical alone at a beach house, she’ll take time for herself to reflect on her experience before returning to work.

I pointedly ask Molly if she truly felt at this stage of her life and career, this was her “best” sabbatical plan.  After a thoughtful pause, she replied, “Yes.  This is the best for now.  But next time I’m going for an entirely different experience.”

What might that mean?!! In five years, Molly will have an empty nest and that’s the time she’ll seek an experience “to take me way out of my comfort zone.” No cushy hotel rooms next time.  Instead, Ms. Thomas wants to wear only blue jeans, plop herself down in  a rustic environment and get  involved in perhaps mission work or some opportunity to give back to others.

Since Molly has already stretched one sabbatical idea, will she do the same for her second? (I keep thinking the answer might be “of course, she will.”) What do you think?

So, if you have a good idea for your sabbatical, take the time to s-t-r-e-t-c-h  it. Molly ended up with a sabbatical fodder file on her desktop titled,   ”Across the Pond” and unwavering confidence in her choice for what to do on her career break.

What might show up on your sabbatical folder file?