Taking a Sabbatical as a Business Owner
REWORK
Introduction
37 Signals co-founders Jason Freed and David Heinemayer Hanson talk about the power of time off. Freed recently returned to work after taking his first sabbatical in nearly 23 years. "I just took one and it was really worth it," Freed says.
In this episode of Rework, Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson, co-founders of 37signals, join host Kimberly Rhodes to discuss the power of taking sabbaticals as business owners.
Jason recently returned to work after taking his first sabbatical in nearly 23 years. He and David share their experiences and insights on the benefits of taking extended breaks from work.
They cover the challenges of stepping away from a business you've built, the importance of trusting your team to handle things in your absence, and the value of returning to work with a fresh perspective.
Listen in to hear their practical advice for business owners considering taking a sabbatical and the positive impact time away can have on both individuals and the company.
Show Notes:
[00:43] - Jason shares why he took his first sabbatical in nearly 23 years and how disconnecting completely from work gave him a new perspective.
[01:49] - David shares his forced sabbatical experience when he had to move to Denmark. He shares his opinion that it's healthy for the organization's resiliency to have its founders step out.
[04:41] - Why feeling like you can't take a vacation is unhealthy.
[05:46] - Disconnecting during a sabbatical: Jason shares his experience that portrays the importance of taking time off and what he did during reentry to avoid overwhelm.
[08:08] - David emphasizes the importance of taking a REAL break and trusting others to carry on, so you can return to work with a clearer mind and a better perspective on what truly matters.
[09:57] - Jason shares why, if anything had to wait for him to return to be decided, it might be a symptom of overreliance on any one individual.
[10:30] - Kimberly shares why there's usually a scramble to get things done before a regular vacation and asks how preparing for a sabbatical differs.
[11:27] - Jason shares the writing he did before taking off.
[12:23] - David shares his realization that there are big foundational tenants of how they work that will stay the same, even if one of the principles is out for an extended time.
[14:00] - Shifting the work to get projects where more people can independently drive them.
[16:38] - Don't fear the sabbatical: remember, you are not as important as you think. Jason advises people to trust their team.
[17:53] - The importance of enjoying boredom: David shares how sabbaticals allow the mind enough space to work on the business in your head and remind you why you do what you do.
[19:47] - It's time to answer those questions! Kimberly announces that next week's podcast episode will answer listener questions. Leave your voicemails at 708-628-7850 or send an email with questions about a better way to work and run your business.
Links and Resources:
Do you have a question for Jason and David? Leave us a voicemail at 708-628-7850
The Power of Time Off | REWORK
It Doesn’t Have to Be Crazy at Work
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