I had a unique conversation with one of my CEO clients last week that was different than I was expecting. He’s had an incredibly busy year—launching new products, writing books, and speaking on multiple stages. Now, with a window of opportunity near Christmas, he wanted to know my opinion about FULLY UNPLUGGING and taking a multi-week SABBATICAL.
This isn’t the normal topic that comes up in my CEO client meetings, but I took some time to investigate further the benefits of rest and intentional breaks.
The Bible highlights the importance of REST. God commanded the people of Israel to observe Sabbath days, weeks, and even an entire year for their good. (Leviticus 25:4) Sometimes, stepping away is exactly what we need to come back stronger.
Look at Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI (the creator of ChatGPT). Years ago, Altman took a year off to travel, reflect, and unplug from the tech world. During his sabbatical, he generated NEW IDEAS that would later fuel OpenAI’s rise to success. When he returned, his bold vision led to breakthrough innovations, and his own wealth and influence soared as a result.
Here are some of the benefits of regular sabbatical time:
- Resetting provides clarity and sharpens your focus.
- Regular sabbath time helps you recharge with renewed energy.
- Resting refocuses your vision and brings fresh inspiration.
- Reinvesting time in spiritual health strengthens connections.
- Trusting the process allows you to find peace, so you can truly rest.
- Stepping back offers fresh perspectives to solve challenges.
Is it possible that resting and taking intentional breaks could make us ULTRA PRODUCTIVE—like Sam Altman? Maybe even taking the weekend off and fully resetting can boost productivity come Monday morning.
Taking time for INTENTIONAL REST—whether it’s a sabbatical, Sabbath day, or simply unplugging—can be the key to long-term success.
ARE YOU OVERDUE FOR A SABBATICAL? Have you benefited from the sabbatical process? Share your experiences in the comments, or email me—it could really help others!
