Millsabatical

There are few things that distinguish one company’s compensation package from another.  At my company, there are two:

· Employee Stock Purchase Plan and

· Sabbatical

The ESPP is like free money, so it’s easy to appreciate (especially when the stock is up over 150% in 19 months).  The sabbatical, on the other hand, deserves expansion.

First, a lesson in sabbatical vocabulary (well, those terms that comes to mind right now)

Sabbatitude: an ebbing of motivation and effort by employees as evidenced by indifference, complacency, and decreased motivation in the period preceding one’s sabbatical.

Escape Velocity: the minimum velocity required to escape the gravitational clutch or call of the office by e-mail, phone, or otherwise

Sabbatage: An incident or event that interferes with or otherwise keeps one from reaching escape velocity

Re-entry: the re-penetration of the offices atmosphere by one who has been on sabbatical

Sabbaticool: something cool that happens that one would not have otherwise been privy to

There are generally three different reactions from those who have taken sabbatical.

Reaction 1: I had a great time, but I was starting to get bored towards the end.  I am kinda glad that I’ve gone back to work.

Analysis: This is a clear sign of a poorly executed sabbatical.  The root of this problem usually stems from an inability to fill the 6 weeks with enough balance of fulfilling and relaxing events.

For example: “I took sabbatical during summer to spend the whole time with my kids.”  Or, “I stayed at home the whole time.”

Reaction 2: Sabbatical is heaven.  I wish sabbatical were permanent.

Analysis: You have the wrong job.  Seek counsel from Dr. HotJobs.

For example: “As humans, we weren’t made to sit at a desk for 10 hours a day.”

Reaction 3: I’m content with my time off and prepared to head back to the office.  

Analysis: this is the Zen zone for sabbatical goers.  This requires good sabbatical planning and execution.  Only those who are truly one with sabbatical can achieve this level of self actualization.

For example: “I’m satisfied with the things I did.”  Or, “I’m recharged and ready to take-on the next task at hand.”

I reach the sabbatical Zen zone.  I did a lot of things but not too much.  We spent time in the city and balanced it with time at the beach.  We spent time in wine country and balanced it with time at home.  We watched a lot of the World Cup and balanced it with a lot of reading.  We had a wedding and balanced it with a long honeymoon.  We found a new place to live and balanced it with a lot of local activities.  …and the list goes on.  Now for the best news of all!  …only 27 months until the next one!