After more than eight years at Tableau, I decided to take a year-long sabbatical (a gap year for grown-ups), a break from the corporate world's daily grind, and a time for creative rejuvenation.
Most are surprised when I tell them about my intention, but with a little planning and 'she'll be right' attitude, anyone can do it. I am, of course, not the only one thinking about this.
Take designer Stefan Sagmeister. Every seven years, he closes his New York studio for a year long sabbatical to rejuvenate and refresh their creative outlook. He explains the often overlooked value of time off and shows the innovative projects inspired by his time away from the office.
Why now?
In a nutshell, as a Technology Evangelist, I aspire to tell stories that inspire others to embrace the potential of technology and data. I feel that I have told all my stories for now, so this time off is my quest to find new and interesting stories to tell.
So what is my plan for the next 12 months?
- Have a crack at that long list of books I always wanted to read
- Immerse myself in many creative projects
- Spend more time seeing the world through my camera lens
- Write some words and write some code, tinker with fun tech and keep tabs on what's coming next
- My 50-year-old body needs some tuning, so I plan to reacquaint myself with my dear friend Trek Domane to help me on that mission
- Prove that EV range anxiety is fake news
- More time watching the beautiful game
- Give back, and be grateful for being able to do this
- Spend more time with friends
- Be in the moment more often
- And finally to watch my boys grow older and my wife more beautiful
That is a bloody long list, but now that I told you all about it, it's time to live by it.
I will try to post my musings at macbryla.com
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