41–50 of 52 posts
Yes, I had a 15 month non-compete after leaving a high frequency trading firm. I got married and traveled 3 months around Asia (Japan, Korea, S.E. Asia, Australia). We came back and did some domestic travel then she went back to work and I started to concentrate on job search and personal projects. The travel was great and unforgettable. I would suggest taking it slow if you are thinking of something similar. We enjo…
I'm on a 3 month paternity leave right now. I had a rough idea of what projects I wanted to complete but so far, it's been full throttle with my two kids (one being an infant) I don't expect to get much done apart from enjoying the summer with the kids, tbh :-) It has been nice so far, though.
I sold a company, bought an Alienware, a proper desk and chair, wrote up a bunch of Java templates, learned Kotlin, found that templates were not worth the effort. I bought an expensive ergonomic keyboard, realized that my typing style was all wrong and spent a month correcting it. I took on freelance jobs that were well paid and impossible, then returned the money when it was clear why nobody else took the jobs. I t…
It took those couple of years to get a solid diagnosis and treatment, and to become functional again. When I returned to looking for work, I found it easier to get contracts as a consultant than to get hired as an employee. I had been thinking of trying that route for some time, but didn't really have an idea how to get started. The illness and loss of work forced me to learn how to do it.
It's now been my main mode of business for about sixteen years, longer than the time I spent as a full-time employee.
Working as a contract consultant has given me occasional breaks of anywhere from a few months up to almost two years. I know how to manage my finances now to weather those dry spells, and I use them to work on my own projects and to educate myself further. It works well for me.
The first time was to launch my on consulting in a new city (Denver). I networked a ton and learned new technologies for 6 months. It yielded me the largest fee I've ever secured.
The second time I took 7 months off (once again after moving to a new city). I traveled to Singapore, the Netherlands, and Korea (twice). I was in different states visiting friends 2-3 weekends a month.
Both instances were incredibly fruitful. I got into incredible shape (I worked with two trainers, 5x per week) and inhaled books (fiction and business). These stretches are the best investment I've made in myself.
After my first startup, my CEO coach recommended I take a "transition period" that lasts as long as I want, to reflect, internalize the learnings from my experiences, and not rush into whatever I wanted to do next. I also used a book called "Transitions"[1] to help me with my reflection. I took about a year off, in the end... I began by reading and running... I ran a few ultramarathons, which require 15-25 hours of t…
Very interesting, thanks for sharing. I have to ask, how did it feel to come back to the grind after that period (if you did)?
I think I'm a much better leader, negotiator, and advisor now. By taking the year to think about what I did right and wrong over the prior 7 years, I was able to synthesize the lessons learned and make them stick.
As a result, I'm (a) much more picky with the projects/jobs/etc. that I do, and (b) am significantly more intentional with my time. As a result, I work on fewer things but get paid more, and the things I work on are significantly more rewarding.
I should note, however, that I've always been a workoholic and enjoy working -- plus, my wife is the same -- so it makes it easier to get back into the grind.
Earlier quoted context omitted.
Most companies also have unpaid LOA (leave of absence). Also, you might be able to talk to your boss (or bosses boss) to see if they can make it happen. I know people who quit without having another gig lined up. Haven't done it myself.
Curious, what does an LOA give you? I dont suppose you get paid or still get health insurance. Is it just a stopping of payroll/benefits and resuming it once you are back?
I'm on a 3 month paternity leave right now. I had a rough idea of what projects I wanted to complete but so far, it's been full throttle with my two kids (one being an infant) I don't expect to get much done apart from enjoying the summer with the kids, tbh :-) It has been nice so far, though.
Unfortunately things didn't work out, and I had to go back to a full-time job, but I cherish the memories of that period. Babies are awesome, of course, but it was much more interesting and rewarding spending time as a stay-at-home parent with an older child, since we could talk and interact much more than was possible with a newborn.