Ever since I left my full-time job, people have reached out to me for advice on how to do the same. They’re typically burnt out, want to take time to recharge, and start a project they are interested in.
First and foremost, I wanted to mention that I’m very fortunate to be taking time off from working for an employer to pursue a mission I’m passionate about. My family, friends, and even housemates/landlords have supported me in multiple ways as I build Kurative Co. from the ground up.
With that said, a good amount of people have been curious as to how it's been going. The majority of them asked if I had any advice on how to approach this type of situation effectively.
No matter who you are, if you're thinking of taking a break from working for an employer, here are four tips you should consider:
💡 Take an unpaid leave-of-absence first before quitting - Most people don’t know that I had a mental breakdown and I took a month-long leave of absence. I suggest this because it’s typically unpaid and it gives you a sense of whether you just needed a long break or you’re really ready to quit. If you are recharged after a month, you can return back to your job. It’s obviously more difficult to quit outright and try to come back.
🙌 Do whatever you want - Most people do NOT have the opportunity (financially, personally, mentally) to take time off from work to pursue a passion project. If you’re taking time off, be grateful for that opportunity and take control of your time, energy, & mental capacity. Make the most of it!
📈 Treat whatever project you’re working on as a long-term one - If you plan on working on a project you’re passionate about, don’t try to fit it all within the time you take off work. Instead, when you think of it as a 1 - 3 year project, you can go about it with more intention by using your time off to build a strong foundation. Even if you have to go back to work, that foundation can help you continue your project part-time.
🔋 Take time to rest - Even if you’re excited about it, don’t jump right into a new project. If you’re an ambitious person like me, this will be difficult. But trust me, you most likely worked a bit harder at work to successfully hand off your projects to a co-worker before taking time off. Take time at the beginning to recharge and start off well-rested!
Coincidentally, these four tips are similar to how I view living an intentional life.
Similar to taking a leave-of-absence instead of quitting, if you want to make a change to your life, take calculated risks with small, incremental steps.
Taking ownership of your time, energy, & mental capacity should be relevant to your entire life.
For every relationship or skill you want to strengthen, think of it as long-term.
And always take time for rest and mental self-care.
Admittedly, the reason I give these tips is because I sometimes forget to follow them myself! 😅