Do you regularly watch the clock whilst you’re supposed to be working? Do you have that sinking feeling on Sunday evenings before work the next day?

Quite frankly, life is too short.

Whilst work of any kind is never 100% enjoyable all the time, if your job is starting to get you down, it’s probably time to ask yourself why. Is this really the career you want for the long-term? Or, are you simply going through a dip in interest and you need to shake things up a little? There are many ways you can explore this question, but one possible option may open more doors than you realise. Have you ever considered a career break or sabbatical?

This is basically a period of leave from your current job, unpaid, which allows you to do whatever you want, e.g. travel, write a book, spend time with loved ones, whatever you want. There are terms and conditions to this type of break, and they really depend upon your individual company’s policies on the subject. Career breaks/sabbaticals usually state that you can’t work for another company during your break and that you are not guaranteed to return to the same position as the one you left. These are points to bear in mind, but the pros may just outweigh the cons.

The reason a career break or sabbatical is something to seriously consider is that it gives you time to think, adjust, and either continue on with a clear mind or make a plan to do something different. It’s often the case that you can’t make such huge decisions when you’re working, because you either don’t have the time or you’re in your comfort zone. When you’re out of that zone, i.e. not going to work every day, you’ll probably begin to realise that there is so much more to life than the regular 9-5.

Points to bear in mind when thinking about a career break or sabbatical:

• You will not get paid during your time off
• Depending upon your company’s policies, you might not be guaranteed your current role when you return, although you will be given a role of some kind
• You will probably need to stay in contact with your manager during your break, to stay up to date with any important developments
• A company doesn’t have to grant a request for a career break or sabbatical, but it should consider it with an open mind
• You are not usually able to work during your break
• Most companies only allow you to take one career break or sabbatical over a specific amount of time, e.g. one break every ten years
• If you make a request and it is turned down, you may not be able to request another until 12 months have passed

It’s important to know the ins and outs of career breaks before you really consider it. However, if it’s something you think might give you the space to think, or the time to go off and do the things you simply don’t have the capacity to do whilst working, why not go for it?

The obvious problem is that once you’ve finished your break, you have to go back to work! You will find your answer in terms of your career rut in how you feel at the end. It’s normal to not particularly relish having to get up early in the mornings once more, but if you’re feeling drained at the thought of going back, perhaps that your inner voice trying to tell you that you need a much longer break, i.e. a change of career.

Put simply, we are quite likely to have several jobs over our lifetimes. If the job you’re in right now doesn’t fill you with inspiration and joy, perhaps it’s time to think about a change. Whilst change can be scary, especially when it’s job-related, it can often turn out to be a fantastic choice. The options are literally endless, but unless you give yourself the time and space to really explore your options, how are you supposed to know?

For many reasons, a career break or sabbatical is the ideal way to pull yourself out of a career funk and really examine your true desires in life.