Taking a career break
Book - 2024
"Taking A Career Break For Dummies shows you that a career break could be life-changing. Career breaks give us a chance to pause to identify opportunities and dreams, focus on the things we've been missing, and develop new skills. This book empowers you to take the leap into your next chapter. There are dozens of reasons you might want to do it, but whatever your circumstance, this friendly Dummies guide will help you value your own well-being, give yourself permission to grow and explore, and reclaim your time, your life, and your happiness"--
Saved in:
- Subjects
- Published
-
Hoboken, NJ :
John Wiley & Sons, Inc
[2024]
- Language
- English
- Main Author
- Item Description
- Includes index.
- Physical Description
- xiii, 344 pages ; 22 cm
- ISBN
- 9781394197590
- Introduction
- About This Book
- Foolish Assumptions
- Icons Used in This Book
- Beyond the Book
- Where to Go from Here
- Part 1. Deciding Whether a Break is Right for You
- Chapter 1. Getting Acquainted with Career Breaks
- Examining Your Options for Taking a Break
- Defining the term "career break"
- Exploring other types of breaks
- Considering a Career Break or Sabbatical More Closely
- Looking at the motivations for taking a break
- Addressing the biggest objections
- Outlining options for returning to work after a break
- Chapter 2. Embracing the Benefits of a Career Break
- Restoring and Improving Your Physical Well-Being
- Recharging your batteries
- Recovering your physical health
- Creating a healthier lifestyle
- Supporting Your Mental and Emotional Well-Being
- Addressing mental and emotional challenges
- Building yourself back up
- Shifting into a better mindset
- Celebrating your life
- Pursuing Personal Development and Interests
- Discovering new parts of yourself
- Building deeper connections with others
- Fulfilling your big life goals and dreams
- Boosting Your Professional Success
- Exploring new career possibilities
- Returning to work even better than before
- Having a more enjoyable and harmonious work-life blend
- Chapter 3. Determining whether a Break Is an Option
- Assessing Your Current Situation
- Knowing your why
- Reflecting on your life and measuring your satisfaction
- Evaluating your work situation
- Clarifying your financial situation
- Considering the alternatives
- Examining the Risks of a Career Break
- Falling behind financially
- Falling behind professionally
- Feeling very uncomfortable
- Losing your employer benefits
- Receiving judgment from others
- Acknowledging the Risks of Not Taking a Break
- Jeopardizing your well-being
- Missing out on new experiences and better opportunities
- Living a life that's out of balance
- Putting it all into perspective
- Making a Brave Decision
- Examining the truth
- Collecting proof that a break is possible
- Part 2. Planning Your Career Break
- Chapter 4. Creating a Career Break Plan
- Understanding the Benefits of a Well-Designed Plan
- Setting a Foundation for Success
- Determining your best approach
- Preparing mentally for the planning process
- Examining the elements of a successful career break plan
- Honing Your Purpose to Clearly Define Success
- Understanding the power of your purpose
- Developing your Purpose statement
- Examples of career break purpose statements
- Establishing Themes to Guarantee a Successful Outcome
- Determining your career break themes
- Examples of career break Themes
- Bringing Your Career Break Vision to Life with a Wish List
- Beginning your wish list the right way
- Avoiding the most common mistake
- Learning how to dream bigger
- Inspiring wish list examples
- Setting Yourself Up for a Smooth Return to the Workforce
- Understanding why you need a re-entry period
- Incorporating a re-entry period into your plan
- Chapter 5. Figuring Out Your Finances
- Determining the Cost of Your Break
- Creating a budget for your break
- Calculating the grand total
- Affording a Career Break
- Feeling empowered to invest in a break
- Funding your career break
- Saving money more quickly and easily
- Applying for a fellowship
- Chapter 6. Establishing a Timeline for Your Break
- Determining the Length of Your Break
- Deciding how much you want to spend
- Creating your ideal break first
- Picking a number that feels good
- Taking a hybrid approach
- Choosing Your Start Date
- Discovering how soon you can begin
- Considering your constraints and finances
- Putting it on the calendar
- Planning the Timeline of Your Break Experience
- Drafting a monthly overview of your break timeline
- Accounting for factors that impact your timeline
- Building your break itinerary
- Part 3. Gearing Up for Your Break
- Chapter 7. Sharing News of Your Career Break
- Building Your Confidence
- Realizing the benefits of sharing your news
- Reframing your break for a better outcome
- Gaining Support from Others
- Breaking your news to others
- Handling the naysayers
- Sharing your news sooner is better
- Giving Your Notice and Leaving Your Job on Great Terms
- Knowing what to say
- Knowing when to say it
- Announcing Your Break
- Chapter 8. Managing the Logistics
- Navigating the Practicalities of Preparing for a Break
- Adjusting your recurring expenses
- Evaluating your health insurance options
- Making a plan for your stuff
- Managing caretaking duties
- Wrapping Things up at Work
- Maximizing your employer-provided benefits
- Leaving your job on a high note
- Making Necessary Travel Preparations
- Tackling your travel to-do list
- Evaluating your travel insurance options
- Chapter 9. Planning for Extended Travel
- Understanding the Benefits of Extended Travel
- Planning Your Extended Travel Itinerary
- Choosing your destination(s)
- Timing it right
- Putting your travel plan together
- Making your money last longer
- Using expert travel apps and tools
- Preparing for Your Extended Travels
- Embracing a travel mindset for a better experience
- Downsizing your life
- Packing for a long trip
- Handling Issues Like a Travel Pro
- Avoiding travel fatigue and burnout
- Avoiding health issues while traveling
- Avoiding boredom and indifference
- Avoiding loneliness and friction with others
- Part 4. Navigating Your Break
- Chapter 10. Getting the Most Out of Your Break
- Surviving and Thriving in the First 60 Days
- Adjusting your expectations
- Resting and restoring without resistance
- Moving through your first two months
- Navigating the Ups and Downs
- Following the golden rules of adopting a break mindset
- Staying connected to your vision
- Accepting your feelings and managing your fears
- Dealing with Loneliness during Your Break
- Resolve it and build connection
- Reframe it in a more positive light
- Embrace it and enjoy your alone time
- Ushering in Change and Transformation
- Practicing presence and patience
- Being intentional with your time
- Processing and adapting to change
- Chapter 11. Avoiding a Financial Meltdown
- Sticking to Your Career Break Budget
- Checking in consistently with your finances
- Determining your red zone number
- Giving Yourself Permission to Spend Money
- Focusing on the facts
- Recommitting to your break
- Giving yourself a numbers detox
- Chapter 12. Spending This Time Wisely
- Structuring Your Free Time
- Developing a morning routine
- Having a consistent check-in routine
- Revisiting your themes
- Protecting your time while managing big responsibilities
- Enjoying Your Experience
- Granting yourself permission
- Practicing being present
- Slowing down
- Avoiding the Common Pitfalls
- Overscheduling your time
- Striving to be productive
- Turning it into a job
- Meeting a case study: Chad's story
- Part 5. Exiting with Ease and Grace
- Chapter 13. Transitioning Out of Your Break
- Kick-starting Your Re-Entry Period
- Avoiding a false start
- Setting expectations
- Ensuring adequate time for your re-entry
- Creating Your Transition Plan
- Shifting out of "break mode"
- Establishing a new routine
- Determining your next big goal
- Planning your action steps
- Chapter 14. Securingjob Offers after Your Career Break
- Crafting Your Break Story for Potential Employers
- Authentically hyping up your break
- Handling disapproval
- Creating your professional toolkit
- Launching Your Post-Career Break Job Search
- Networking after a break
- Searching for the right jobs
- Acing your interviews
- Chapter 15. Thriving Beyond the Break
- Sustaining the Benefits of a Break
- Celebrating your journey
- Incorporating what worked well
- Inspiring others with your story
- Embracing the New You
- Accepting the changes
- Setting a vision for your next chapter
- Considering another break
- Part 6. The Part of Tens
- Chapter 16. Ten Ground Rules for a Successful Break
- Creating Your Own Definition of Success
- Planning for a Re-Entry Period
- Knowing Your Numbers
- Leaving Your Job on Great Terms
- Disconnecting from the Working World
- Putting the Focus Back on You
- Giving Yourself Some Grace
- Approaching Life Differently
- Slowing Down for Extended Travel
- Hyping Up Your Break Experience
- Chapter 17. Ten Great Examples to Inspire Your Break
- Traveling in a New Way
- Learning a Language through Immersion
- Tackling a Time-Intensive Goal
- Pursuing a New Version of an Old Dream
- Spending Quality Time with Loved Ones
- Using Your Passion to Make a Big Impact
- Sparking Your Creativity
- Restoring Your Health and Well-being
- Discovering New Hobbies and Interests
- Getting a Fresh Start
- Index