The first time I thought about taking a sabbatical it was nothing more than a pipe dream. At the time, my husband and I were living paycheck to paycheck. But, a year later, after keeping our dream front and center and working hard, we sold nearly everything we owned, pulled our kids (age 8 and 11) out of school, and embarked on a year of global travel across 5 continents and 23 countries. I sometimes call it “our year of falling in love around the world” because we met so many wonderful people from all walks of life, some of whom we have remained close friends. It was the hardest and best thing we’ve ever done. 

But what I had not anticipated was how much this goal of a global sabbatical would fuel my motivation, ambition, and commitment to my work. It acted as a reward and my light at the end of the tunnel. 

It also forced me, as an entrepreneur and business leader, to be thoughtful about how I prepared my team to hold down the business without me. Succession planning was not something I thought about much until I considered the possibility of not working for a year, and continuing to draw a paycheck. Necessity is the mother of invention, they say.

• PLAN Your Ideal Sabbatical

• Pick the Perfect Location

• Get your Company, Boss, and Family on Board

• Prepare Financially for Time Off

• Find the Best Deals for Time Abroad

• Discover your Goals

• Prepare Practice Trips

• And SO much more…