Keeping the focus: Personal reflection on my two month sabbatical

However much you enjoy your job, chances are that you have some days where you start to wonder exactly why you chose business analysis as a career.  As BAs, there is no doubt that we feel the pressure now and again – whether it’s from a screaming programme manager, or perhaps just the pressure we put on ourselves to deliver on time despite the unexpected adversity that tends to hide in the deepest darkest corner of complex projects.

Taking an extended break can help gain focus on what is really important

I recently took two months off work.  The idea was simple, spend two whole months relaxing, pursuing ambitions and also taking the opportunity to do some travelling.  All the things that work tends to “get in the way of” sometimes.  And I feel so much better for doing so – I feel fitter, healthier and happier than I have in a long time.  Not only that, but I was genuinely looking forward to returning to work.  Being away had reinvigorated my passion for the BA role, and I was looking forward to the new challenges that it would bring!

My key learning points

After my two month sabbatical was over, I jotted down the key career-related lessons that I learned.  I thought I would share them with you. I hope you find this insight useful.

1. People appreciate your work more than you know:  On my last day, I received a number of e-mails from stakeholders and project team members wishing me well and expressing their appreciation for the time I had spent on their project.  I hadn’t expected this, so I left feeling extremely boosted and appreciated.  I think we’re all guilty of being grateful for work that a team member does, but not necessarily telling them.  So remember, however prickly the environment, people probably appreciate your work far more than you realise.

2. It is possible to clear an e-mail inbox:  I am guilty of having an e-mail inbox stuffed with e‑mails that “might be useful one day”.  Going away for two months gave me the opportunity to let go.  I left with precisely zero e-mails in my inbox.  I felt so much better having cleared everything that was outstanding, and I made a commitment to manage my e‑mail much more efficiently when I returned. 

 3. Your colleagues mean more to you than you realize:  Whilst I was off, I genuinely missed the interaction with my work colleagues and project stakeholders.  In the heat of the moment it can be difficult to warm towards Martha when she has that annoying habit of slurping her coffee… but trust me, if she left you’d miss her!

4. Your biggest project problem is almost certainly smaller than you think:  Before I went on leave, I was working on a tricky workstream on a high-profile project.  I was enjoying it, but seemed to be surrounded by problems.  On my second or third week away from work, I started to come up with new solutions to old problems.  I could suddenly see the wood for the trees, and the problems didn’t seem so big any more. Problems seemed to be shrinking by the day.

5. Work only “gets in the way” of your personal (non-work) ambitions if you let it:  I fulfilled a number of personal ambitions whilst being off work.  I had felt that work was “getting in the way” of me achieving these ambitions, but the reality was that I could have achieved all of them, over a period of time, if I’d set my mind to it. All that was needed was a slightly different outlook, and being more disciplined about “switching off” and leaving work behind in the evening.

What will I change?

So, the million dollar question: what will I do differently now?  My main change is around work-life balance.  I have learned that by giving myself enough time to relax, I’m actually significantly more productive and creative when at work.  Slaving away until midnight might impress the boss, but the quality of work diminishes and burnout sets in.  It sounds obvious doesn’t it?  But I’m sure we’re all guilty of getting caught in the momentum of our projects and neglecting ourselves now and again.

I’ve also developed a mantra for times of stress.  How important will this be in two months time? Next time you have a seemingly impossible, stressful issue to surmount, ask yourself this question.  You’ll be amazed at how effective it can be in gaining perspective.

And finally, I’ve made a commitment myself to take a period of extended leave every three years.  I hope that this will keep me happy, healthy and will help me to maintain my focus.  I’d highly recommend taking a couple of months off if you ever get the chance.

Have you ever taken an extended vacation?  What did you take away from it?  I’d love to hear your views.  Feel free to add a comment below.

By Adrian Reed. Adrian Reed is a UK based Business Analyst, author, speaker and qualified practitioner of change. He is an active member of the UK Business Analysis community and regularly attends IIBA events. He writes articles and blogs relating to the analysis profession. You can follow Adrian on Twitter or read his blog. Adrian is also a member of the team that launched the Pragnalysis website, which is a site dedicated to business analysis in the real world and home to a completely free BA toolkit. View more blog posts by Adrian Reed

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