Sabbatical as a path to overcome life’s challenges, redefine career roadmap and strength family bonds.
The most intense, thrilling, and transformative journey I have ever had experienced allowing me to gain perspective and priceless learnings on my role as a father, as a husband, as an organization leader and as a member of a global society.
When a sabbatical becomes a natural next step on the journey:
acknowledgement of being in a comfort zone with limited learning and development potential, an organization undergoing a transformation with unclear charter, my father having a stroke, fear of missing out critical development of my five children.
How it Began
About 10 years ago, I was fired from a French multinational company while working in Brazil. While being aware of my talent, I took a hit on my ego. As a positive person, I tried to take it as an opportunity to travel and rethink my career plan.
Without knowing it, being fired turned out to be a life-changing event. It led me to an MBA degree in France and Singapore, eventually joining a one-of-a-kind leadership program at Siemens, the CEO* program. In the program, I was 1 of 6 individuals selected per year, from the top business schools in the world.
More recently, I was undergoing a particularly challenging moment in my life. Back in Portugal, my father had a stroke on the eve I returned to US. Another family member struggling with cancer. At work, the person who hired me was fired and several leaders of my organization left. And after 4 years in my role, I was in a (uncomfortable) comfort zone without perspectives of development.
At home, five little ones, 3, 4-, 5-, 6- and 7-year-old, were calling for more attention. Meanwhile, my wife and I were eager to show them the real world, without filters and outside the classroom. Strongly influenced by my “partner in crime”, we decided to undergo the family project of exploring a continent of which we knew so little: Oceania.
The Big Lap: A Family Sabbatical in Australia
By starting in New Zealand, and Fiji, we flew to Sydney where we bought a 4-wheel-drive vehicle. It had an offroad trailer with a 4-sqm rooftop tent giving us full autonomy to be offline and off grid. Throughout 90 days, and challenging every single advice we got, we did the so called “big lap” of Australia: 23420kms.
I spent 24/7 with my wife and kids exploring the most remote locations. We went to Fraser Island or Uluru rock and watched whales at Great Australian Byth. Visited one of the biggest gold mines in the world. Snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef and Ningaloo Reef. Went and admired wildlife at Kakadu National Park. Saw my kids playing with aboriginal kids, which is the oldest living civilization on earth. It was simply unique.
Despite the significant financial investment (around $75k) and the lost income during my unpaid leave, this was, without any doubt, one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. As a couple, as parents and as curious world citizens that love meeting new cultures.
The kindness of the Aussie people, the beauty of the island, biodiversity, and the emotions from our adventures were priceless. My wife has gathered notes and photos for her second book, a fantastic way to perpetuate our odyssey. I have been advocating for friends to be inspired by our adventure and pursue whatever dreams they have.
Activities you engaged in during your sabbatical as possible:
Being a role model and a team player in a crew of 7, for 90 days, driving 23420 kms around Australia in a 4WD and trailer with a 4sqm-rooftop tent: Addressing mechanical problems where the closest mechanical shop is 620 kms away, expediting logistics of spare parts from Brisbane to Alice Springs from 10 to 2 days, addressing a serious bacterial infection of our daughter without travel insurance, snorkeling in Great Barrier Reef with my 3-year old, learning about the 65,000 year old aboriginal people culture, developing my skills as a drone pilot, exploring the UNESCO Gondwana rainforests and so much more!
Life Lessons from a Family Sabbatical
How long was your sabbatical?
12 Weeks
What were you most concerned about when contemplating a sabbatical?
Responsibilities – how can I afford the mortgage/take care of my family?
Did HOW you work change at all, post-sabbatical?
Committed to taking significantly more time off
How did your sabbatical experience change the way you thought about your employer?
With a very cartesian mind, I have learnt throughout my weeding that the key lies in the balance of thorough reflection and timely decision making. By reading the signs around me and listening for feedback from my family, I realized time had come.
Why do you think others should (or shouldn’t) take sabbaticals? Are there occasions in life where it’s particularly helpful?
I have always embraced the idea of being at the driver’s seat of my career. However, sometimes life brings us unexpected events or situations that we may struggle to manage and address at the same time and of different dimensions, e.g., health, family, career, and others. The opportunity of taking time off to disconnect from routine, reflect on the situation, evaluate scenarios and options, and re-define and/or confirm the roadmap is paramount.
You can connect with Luis Barroso here.Interested in more family sabbaticals? Check out Klaus’ story.
