A rest is as good as a change
- Steve Thorlby-Coy
- Feb 9, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 9, 2022
A friend/mentor recently encouraged me to blog more frequently. I'm starting a new role in a new sector at the start of 2022, so the timing seems right.
Like most people, I have never taken more than a couple of weeks off work in my career. So, at the start of 2022, I deliberately chose to take an extended break between leaving my role as Head of ICT at Yorkshire Housing and joining Hospice UK as Director of IT & Digital Services. I know that I’m fortunate to be able to afford to do this, and I’m so glad I did.
I thought an extended break would be good for my mental health, which, like many people's, had definitely taken a dip in the last year or so. I'd been operating with increased levels of stress/anxiety for over a year. I'd had a busy couple of years at work on top of trying to cope with all the change and uncertainty the pandemic has thrown at us all. I perhaps didn't see it at the time, but on reflection I was burned out. It was enough for those closest to me to notice, and without this break I may well have needed some professional help. Anyway, I was definitely looking forward to some ‘me time’. I imagined a lot of resting, relaxing, having fun.
So, of course, I made a massive to-do list.
I started scheduling my days with a blend of household jobs (sorting the loft, fixing the loo seat etc.), leisure (reading, exercise, music etc.), reconnecting with friends, family and my professional network, along with research and preparation for my new role.
It took me a few days to realise that this was not the leisurely, carefree time I had pictured. I had actually put myself in a place of tasks, reminders, alerts, and deadlines. As ever, those closest to me spotted this madness first and, in a way, I needed their permission to let a few things drift and loosen up a bit.
I still made time for the most important things (and I might write about some of those later), but some things that had been waiting a while could wait a bit longer.
By the end of my short 'sabbatical', I felt rejuvenated and ready to start my new role.
My key takeaways are:
Taking a break between significant changes (jobs, projects, challenges) helps you to re-set and be more energised for the next one. Plan for this if you can, and definitely take up opportunities that present themselves.
In a work context, leaders could do better at creating buffers of time to re-set between major projects. People will still work during these buffers, just on other things. I believe these could help people to let go of the previous project and be better prepared mentally for the next one.
Clearing out your loft, garage, wardrobe, drawer, whatever, is worthwhile for lots of reasons. Getting organised, letting go of things you no longer need is, of course, an excellent approach to looking after your mental health too.
Beware the 'optimism of planning'. There's a tendency to under-estimate the time, cost and effort or we forget that there are other things that need to be done at the same time. My to-do list was never going to be completed as well as getting all the usual daily household tasks done, cooking, cleaning, laundry, childcare etc. Focus on the most important things and don't beat yourself up if you don't cross off everything on the list.
As a qualified coach, I can help you to be more self-aware and confident in your abilities and address work challenges. Reach out if you'd like to discuss coaching with me. I offer career/work coaching for people in any role. I am able to offer a blend of coaching and mentoring for people in IT and change roles, particularly managers or aspiring managers.
I am currently able to offer sessions free of charge - contact me via LinkedIn or Twitter
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