January 9, 2014 at 11:33 am
Sean Redmond (1/9/2014)
...As a new suggestion, is there you always said that you wouldn't mind doing, but never got around to?
I'm thinking of something like sculpture, mastering a herb garden, painting in oils or something like this. If you could find a month long course, you would have the time to practise, learn some theory and learn practically.
I am thinking about this. Finding a class can be tough, especially given certain commitments I've made at some times. We'll see.
January 9, 2014 at 11:39 am
quackhandle1975 (1/9/2014)
Unfortunately as a freelance SQL DBA/Consultant in the UK being in and out of work I have to put up with "enforced" sabbaticals. However in the past year I have managed to watch my daughter grow up (her 1st birthday is this weekend) and that is time I can't get back, so that is a huge plus. Maybe you could learn a new subject/project with your children? At least it will be time spent together. I have also become addicted to Chess in the past 18 months for some reason having no interest before this. How odd. :crazy:Good luck Steve, hope you manage to get out something meaningful of your six weeks.
qh
That's a good idea, to get some time with the kids. I spend a lot of time with mine, but perhaps I can work on a project of some sort with one of them.
January 9, 2014 at 11:40 am
Japie Botma (1/9/2014)
How about special training for x number of people. Lets say for 4 weeks. It could be at home or close to home. You already have the training contacts. The group will have to pay their way, but they get the once in a lifetime chance to get special training from you. This will be a chance to give more back to the community and it means that your sabbatical expands to the group. 😀Of course it all depends on the availability of the correct resources near your home.
Sounds like work 😉
January 9, 2014 at 11:45 am
richardjarvis 96597 (1/9/2014)
Getting involved with a charity especially one that would welcome your insight in terms of their systems would be a worthwhile investment.
High on my list.
January 9, 2014 at 11:46 am
Phil Factor (1/9/2014)
One of the best sabbaticals at a place I once worked was a colleague who took a course to qualify as a Steam Engine Driver. He was an engineer in his working life but stuck behind a desk writing up specifications, doing admin and liaising with suppliers. He was so contented when he got back to work. He kept the framed certificate above his desk.
That's great. I have considered some intensive learning course.
January 9, 2014 at 11:54 am
1) Pick a language you'd like to learn and only speak that for the first 4 weeks, then travel to a place where that language is spoken.
2) Build a railroad hand car with your kids and then go a trip together on it.
3) Build the next Candy Crush or Farmville to take control of people's free (work?) time
January 9, 2014 at 12:10 pm
chrisn-585491 (1/9/2014)
Get your ham radio license and build an Elecraft K2: http://www.elecraft.com/k2_page.htm (Also Colorado needs more emergency response folks, take a class.)Take some chef courses and challenge Sean McCown to a mystery basket cook-off at the next PASS Summit.
Cooking, now that's interesting. My wife says I should do a couple things. Maybe some cooking thing at night...
January 9, 2014 at 12:11 pm
Chicky (1/9/2014)
I think it's awesome that your company is giving you an opportunity to have a sabbatical.How about crafts, such as sewing, jewelry making, woodworking, etc.? It's even something you could do with your children if they're not too young. I recently took a day off from work to take a pen turning class and I really enjoyed it. Now I have to buy a lathe in order to make more pens...
If I got the opportunity to have a sabbatical, I'd probably do some combination of crafts, learn the trumpet - using my husband's trumpet that has been neglected since grade school, and exercise a lot more.
Woodworking is high on the list. I have a bit of a shop, but lack some skills for sure. Thinking to jam in a class of some sort.
January 9, 2014 at 12:12 pm
Rod at work (1/9/2014)
Congratulations, Steve, the achieving 5 years with Red Gate, and thus being able to take a sabbatical! I've never worked at a company that offers its employees sabbaticals, so I can't advise you. I wish you all the best in figuring out what to do!
Thanks
January 9, 2014 at 12:12 pm
GWAk (1/9/2014)
I'm puzzled by those of us who have, in essence, said 'take a sabbatical so you can learn more work-related stuff.' :blink:Go build houses, Steve... Habitat for Humanity or any other community outreach program would love to have you for a while. And that kind of hard work is DEFINITELY its own reward.
Habitat is on my list. Build, work in a store, even do some speaking for them. They are always looking for help and that speaks to me.
January 9, 2014 at 12:13 pm
krowley (1/9/2014)
No ideas on what you should do with your time but I would LOVE to see you solicit a bunch of editorials and articles from your community of readers to run while you are gone. I am sure there are at least 30 of us who would jump at the chance to write one editorial article for the newsletter.
You are always welcome to write one.
I'll put out a call
January 9, 2014 at 12:13 pm
DavidL (1/9/2014)
I didn't notice in the editorial or any of the links an explanation of what Red Gate expects a sabbatical to be about. It sounds like they have definite ideas. What are they? I think that will make it easier to give suggestions.
The guidance is to grow yourself in some way.
January 9, 2014 at 12:14 pm
John Hanrahan (1/9/2014)
You've mentioned in the past that you run at least some for fitness. You could go for 6 weeks of fitness crazy. It's now well established that exercise helps mental processes not to mention the stress relief you get. You could sign up for a triathlon, get a coach (there are TONS in Colorado) and at the end of 6 weeks do one. If you don't swim now you'll find it can be amazingly technical and precise which will scratch the tech part of your brain. And it will leave time for the family/ranch stuff.If it was me though I'd probably go for helping a non profit.
I've done a few tri's. Swimming is my best event, and I do it once a week now.
The downside of this is that I'll probably take this in the summer, but I'm going to need knee surgery this spring. Not sure how "crazy" I can go. Or should go.
January 9, 2014 at 12:15 pm
Jack Corbett (1/9/2014)
For me a sabbatical, if it needed to be non-work related, would have something to do with sports. Since my oldest son is really into baseball I'd try to do one or more of the following:Baseball coaching clinics so I could offer better advice to my son and the other players I'd coach as part of coaching his teams
Baseball umpiring clinic - when my son gets out of little league/cal ripken we could umpire together at that level.
Broadcasting school. I'd love to be able to do play by play or color even for a day.
I've thought about this. My daughter love volleyball. Thought about learning to coach this.
January 9, 2014 at 12:16 pm
below86 (1/9/2014)
If this is an annual benefit I would try looking long term at what you want to accomplish in life, outside of work.
....
Now if I could only find a job that offered that. 😀
It's every 5 years. If I do something for me this time, I'll do something for the world next time. Or vice versa. Volunteering is important in life, I think.
There are lots of companies that do offer them. Check out the last link in the editorial or Google.
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