Many employees fantasize about taking off a few months – or longer – to live in a foreign country, return to school, have a baby or start a business. The motivation is even stronger when things aren’t going well at work and you feel like turning your back on the daily rat race. But you have a lot to consider before making such a serious decision. This tidy little paperback, one in a series of “Steps to Success” books from London-based Bloomsbury Publishing, covers the major areas of concern affecting anyone contemplating a career break. The book will help you decide whether you’re making the right choice, if you can afford it and how to ease back into the workforce when your break is over. getAbstract believes it’s a small book that packs a big punch.
Saying Hello to a Hiatus
Taking an extended break from work can be one of the best things you can do for yourself. When you’re not in your daily work routine, the possibilities are limitless. You can examine your priorities and values, and decide where you want to go in life. Or, if you’re a new parent, you can spend lots of quality time with your baby, uninterrupted by the demands of a 9-to-5 job. You can further your education or even launch that business you’ve been thinking about for years.
But before you walk into your boss’s office and explain that the company will just have to survive without you for the next year or so, there are a few things you might want to consider. When you contemplate a career break, ask yourself some basic questions, including:
- What do you specifically hope to accomplish?
- How determined are you to see it through?
- Have you talked to anyone about your idea?
- What concrete plans are in place?
- Are you financially prepared?
- What will you do if things don’t go according to plan?
The answers to these questions will tell you if you’re ready to take the plunge. You may be fortunate...
The “Steps to Success” series, published by A&C Black, offers small books on career skills, including managing projects, handling stress and working from home.
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