So, with Blue Monday out of the way – thanks in part to copious amounts of alcohol and our new friend Dr Sanjay Popat, the chartered psychologist specialising in occupational stress, well-being and mental health – I’m raring to get stuck into the year ahead.
Well, I was until I saw all that coverage about Cameron Diaz’s return to acting, following a decade-long “retirement”, after she described her career break as the “best 10 years of my life”.
And to be fair, I thought, I could do with some of that, although a decade could be pushing it, given the perilous state of my finances.
But for those of you interested to find out how you too could get the “best 10 years of your life”, help is at hand from our old friend Guy Thornton, the founder of Practice Aptitude Tests no less, who has outlined the pros and cons of taking a career break and has offered top tips on how to make it a success.
The pros:
Reduced stress and burnout. Guy explains: “One advantage of taking a career break is the opportunity to relieve stress and avoid burnout, both of which can significantly impact your well-being and performance. When employees experience burnout, they are more likely to make errors, struggle with concentration, and find it difficult to solve problems. [Tell me about it!] A career break allows an employee to return with lower stress levels and potentially emerge as a more effective worker. It can also promote a healthier work-life balance and help prevent future burnout.”
Increased creativity: “After taking a career break, individuals often feel more creative and inspired, particularly if they used the time to travel. A change of scenery and a break from the daily grind can spark new ideas and enhance creativity, enabling people to bring a fresh perspective to their work.”
Career reassessment: “The reason you may have felt drawn to a career break could be dissatisfaction with your role [you betcha]. A break provides the space and time to reflect on your goals and aspirations, and can lay the groundwork for a more fulfilling career path when you return.”
That all sounds amazing…
The cons:
Loss of income [no shit Sherlock!]: “Without regular earnings, you may find yourself facing financial instability, which can lead to the same stress you were hoping to escape. This may force you to dip into your savings, depleting your rainy-day fund” [savings? WTF are they?].
Difficulty re-entering the job market: “Although not all employers view employment gaps negatively, some may see them as a red flag. It could make them question a candidate’s work ethic or motivation, and cause them to worry that the employee may not remain long in the role. A break from work can also result in a decline in skills. The more consistently you do something, the better you become at it. So, a prolonged absence might mean you find it challenging to resume your previous role at the same level.”
That all sounds a nightmare.
If you are still considering a break after all that, our man has also provided some suggestions to ensure a smooth transition before, during, and after your break.
Stay connected: Keep in touch with industry contacts and colleagues to maintain professional relationships. Networking while on a break can open doors for re-entry into the job market. [That’s actually not a career break then, is it Guy; this industry is all about contacts!]
Skill maintenance: Consider freelance work, part-time courses, or volunteering to keep your skills sharp and stay up to date with your industry. [That’s actually not a career break either.]
Plan finances wisely: Create a substantial budget before your break, accounting for reduced income and potential emergencies. This could serve as a safety net should you not enter back into the workforce as quickly as you would have hoped. [Fat chance.]
Explore options with your current employer: If you’re planning to take a career break soon, consider asking your employer if options are available, such as sabbatical leave. This mitigates the risk of long-term unemployment, and helps you to enjoy your time away with less anxiety. [Funnily enough, he barely lets me have paid annual leave as it is.]
Still, there you have it. Basically, if you haven’t got a 20-year back catalogue of movies that are still paying you royalties, you’re stuffed.
Ah well, back to it…
Follow Foxy on X and Instagram if you must, but don’t get too excited as I’m never there
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