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All good things must come to an end, including my current spell
of "deliberate unemployment" - so here are some thoughts on my career break: 1/10 (sorry)
of "deliberate unemployment" - so here are some thoughts on my career break: 1/10 (sorry)
Sir Walter Scott was on to something when he wrote "in order to enjoy leisure, it is absolutely necessary it should be preceded by occupation" - I found it easier to value and enjoy my leisure time when I& #39;d been working 2/10
I re-learnt that I enjoy building things. I& #39;ve laid a patio, built a pantry, tiled a kitchen, boarded a loft and found that very satisfying (painting a whole house less so...) I& #39;ve "built" my whole career - services, people, teams - and feel the same kind of pride about that 3/10
Photography isn& #39;t the career I want, in fact pursuing it as a profession quickly sucked the joy out of it for me. The idea that you can turn a hobby into a career may be true for many, but should not be applied universally 4/10
I need a "mission". With photography ruled out I explored consultancy, but I had no true north, no guiding mission, so when my attempts when nowhere I had no way to escape the doldrums I found myself in 5/10
A career break is one thing, we moved across the country at the same time leaving behind that vital support network of friends, family and colleagues. I do not recommend this. My mental health has certainly suffered and I& #39;ve had bouts of depression 6/10
No photography, no consultancy... in a culture that idolises the entrepreurial self-starter I was a FAILURE. The F word is difficult to shake. After a long while I realised and accepted that it& #39;s OK to not be able to do something 7/10
Perhaps I& #39;d already found my niche? Given the plan was to escape the 9-5 it was odd to return to it - but while a break can be a good chance to consider a change of direction never forget that "do [or change] nothing" is always an option that should be considered! 8/10
I& #39;d encourage anyone who& #39;s considering it to take a career break if you can, be clear about why you& #39;re doing it and what you hope to achieve, but be ready for it to be challenging, have support, and don& #39;t be surprised if you find you were already where you were meant to be! 9/10
So it& #39;s back to work for me. Next week I join the excellent @percyhedley as Head of Technology, leading their IT and developing new capabilities in MIS and assistive technologies - looking forward to it (and secretly wondering if I& #39;ve bitten off more than I can chew...) 10/10
