Some of us may be lucky enough to have our careers in cruise mode; we are sustaining an optimal level of performance and doing so without sweating too much. We are at the peak of our game and our productivity feels like its almost on auto-pilot. Others may have been nudged from that comfort level and for some the discomfort may be quite severe. For those who are not sailing smoothly and even for some who are; there may be ample reasons to take some time off work to retrench and re-consolidate. From the Bayt.com team, here are just a few reasons a little career break may be just what the career doctor ordered.
1.Think Have you been making the same mistakes over and over again? Are you caught in a negative spiral of thinking and self-doubt? Have you lost sight of the big picture? Are you no longer sure of the meaning of your work and how you contribute to society, the company and/or the bottom line? Do you find you are so busy you no longer have time to think and solve problems and innovate in new directions? A break is an ideal time to put that thinking cap on, stare your issues straight in the face and ponder real solutions to them.
2. Plan Many professionals get so caught up in the daily grind, they are no longer able to plan for the intermediate or long term. Remember without SMART objectives you are unlikely to steer an optimal career course over a sustainable period of time. A small break may help you plan for lifestyle issues that may also positively impact your career: a move, a home purchase, education, travel, leisure, new habits etc.
3. Reconnect Over the long run one key factor defining our true wealth is the quality of our relationships and this extends to friends, family, peers, colleagues etc. It’s tough for many to keep these relationships healthy, especially when juggling children, work commutes and long hours. Time off can be used to reconnect with old friends and contacts with a fresh attitude and perspective in a relaxed unhurried manner. According to a Bayt.com poll ‘Rest and Recreation Habits among MENA Professionals’ only about 39% of professionals in the region spend their free time with their family and less than 9% spend it with friends. Rekindled relationships may be just what your career and peace of mind needed after all!
4. Read Far from being a luxury for the elite or a pastime for the relaxed, reading is cited as one of the most essential and fundamental habits for sustained career success. 70% of polled professionals believe that reading relevant literature is extremely important for their career advancement, while 77.8% of professionals reveal they read their industry related literature on a regular basis as per Bayt.com’s ‘Career Advancement in the MENA’ poll. What better way to spend a few hours during your time off than by catching up on industry tomes and other required reading! What courses have you always wanted to take? Is there a competency gap you need to fill? Are there skills you need to brush up on? Are you less confident with certain aspects of your aptitudes? Well now is the time to fill these knowledge gaps and regain your confidence in your abilities.
5. Reinvent Think laterally and don’t be afraid to reinvent yourself. Are there hobbies you have always wanted to pursue? Hidden talents you never had time to cultivate? Job roles you would like to reposition for? Use your time off wisely and enrich yourself in areas you may not have had the courage to explore before.
6. Get healthy About 31.7% of professionals consider their eating habits to be unhealthy, as per the Bayt.com ‘MENA Professionals Health and Eating Habits’ poll. One of the first victims of a career on a fast upward trajectory is often our health. A small break can be used to restore one’s physical wellness and general wellbeing. No more sleep deprivation, excess stress, skipping out on much needed exercise or hurried starchy meals at the company cafeteria; use your hiatus to invigorate your general wellness and get into some good sustainable lifestyle habits.
7. Do good Many professionals wish they had the time to get more involved in projects and tasks that impact the wellbeing of their societies. In fact according to Bayt.com’s ‘CSR: Is Your Company Making an Impact?’ poll, 73% of professionals prefer volunteering their time and effort over donating money. However about 41% of professionals (the majority group) also admit that the main reason they do not engage in more charity work is because they do not know where to start. You could opt to use your career break to volunteer for charities and explore other ways to satisfy your altruistic needs. The immense satisfaction that comes with kindness, good deeds and charity may be just what you needed to restore some meaning into your life and career.
