Mastering Career Breaks: Essential Strategies for Success and Personal Growth.
Katrina McGhee with her new book - Taking a Career Break
Episode 147 w/ Katrina McGhee - Taking A Career Break: How to Plan, Execute, and Thrive
My latest Winging It Travel Podcast episode features Katrina McGhee, a returning guest.
Katrina banged the drum for career breaks on podcasts, social media, and LinkedIn when we last spoke.
Since then, she has released a book with Dummies, so I thought we should get Katrina back on the podcast to discuss that journey.
The book in question? Taking a Career Break with Dummies.
Are you in the corporate world in a dead-end job or in a career you don’t like? How about that dream of always traveling for six months? Do you want to learn a new skill?
These are some of the questions asked in Katrina’s books and when Katrina works with her clients.
We live in a world where we are constantly told to live for the future, save money for retirement, buy that house, and prepare for later in life.
But what about now?
If you have never lived in the present and only for the future, what makes you think you will live in the present in the future?
This is a more significant topic, but the system we live in today is based on the accumulation of materials.
Experiences are looked down upon.
Being in a career for less money but more enjoyment is sneered at.
Traveling in your 40s is laughed at.
There are many examples, but some could be your feelings today.
Katrina’s book tackles these and helps you make the right decisions for your own life.
In this episode, we skim over each chapter and pick out the most critical parts.
Check it out below, and let’s delve into other subjects that piqued my interest.
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Anything for donuts at Voodoo in Portland
Two-thirds of Katrina’s clients have the financial ability to take a career break right now; what is stopping them?
What is stopping you?
When speaking to Katrina, I thought most people didn’t go on breaks because of financial responsibilities and lack of available funds, but I was wrong!
Two-thirds of Katrina’s clients can go, which really surprised me.
The only thing that stops me from traveling at all times is financial.
I have no qualms about dropping everything tomorrow for a three-month jaunt in Central America.
We discuss how people believe that quitting your career for six months could negatively impact the rest of your life and your career.
How absurd is this?
A conservative estimate is that you have worked for forty years. What are six months out of that in the grand scheme of things? Nothing!
Finance is a big part of the discussion and we are not promoting the very popular idea on social media to just drop everything now, everyone needs planning, ideas and the ability to put money away if needed.
Katrina has been on two career breaks from the corporate world before going solo as an entrepreneur.
She cleared $42k worth of student loan debt in two years, and she makes the great point that most of her colleagues from business school are still paying it off year after year with no end in sight.
How is this possible? It is down to your wants and needs.
Being financially secure and debt-free is something people strive for but get caught in the rat race of getting those things like a car or house.
The point here is that despite all your financial responsibilities, like a mortgage, a car repayment, stamp collection, whatever it is, if you want it hard enough, you can achieve this break.
It requires motivation, discipline, willpower, and the enjoyment of the planning process.
As the title of this section, most people save money anyway, so people are halfway there!
Maybe you need a pep talk or some ideas. Well, this episode will give you that, and Katrina’s book certainly points you in the right direction!
What do people do on their career breaks, and for how long?
The obvious answer is travel, and Katrina mentioned that most of her clients intend to travel abroad to broaden their horizons, get out of their comfort zones, and learn more about themselves and the world.
However, some people don't; they upskill, learn a new skill, change careers, set up their own business, rest, work on their house, or read.
This concept has no definition; it can be whatever you want it to be.
If you are reading this and love your life, career, house, and everything else, then this conversation could be pointless.
However, as Johann Hari pointed out in one of his books, only 13% of people love their job.
So, the majority would take the break as a chance to reskill, but they don’t; make sure you don’t fall into this category.
Personally, I have always left my jobs to travel, and that wouldn’t change to a degree, but the thought of planning for a break to go freelance or to set up my own business would appeal.
After a year of moving around and visiting 20 countries, I need some time on the ground to reassess.
As Katrina says, your life goes in cycles.
What cycle are you in now? What would you do on your break?
Katrina mentioned that at the moment, she is following opportunities around the USA, which include being on TV, going to events, doing talks, and being on podcasts.
That is a pretty cool spot to be in, and that could be you!
Taking a Career Break for Dummies book cover
You have decided to quit your job. Should you tell your employer early on?
This is a great question, and many people are scared of it, so I was when we decided to travel.
I gave a month’s notice in my role, which is normal, but the legal time is two weeks.
Most people leave it to the bare minimum for many reasons. What are they?
I am scared of my boss and work colleagues' reactions. I need last month’s money for my break, and I am worried they will terminate my contract immediately. I don’t want all the attention and questions coming my way.
These are just some reasons, but what happened was interesting.
You start getting people out of the woodwork and pull you to one side to enquire about your break or trip.
People appreciate honesty, so you are not the guy who is leaving for the pay rise or a rival company; you are leaving on your own accord.
Notifying early also leaves the door open to return if you so wish, no bridges burned, and respect from your boss.
In Katrina’s experience, people have been offered raises, part-time or remote work, promotions, and more.
It can do amazing things.
Try giving your notice early and see what happens. I promise it won’t be that bad!
Check out my latest YouTube episode in Nafplio, Greece.
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My Instagram promotion for Episode 147
Who is Katrina McGhee?
Hey there - I’m Katrina!
I'm a Career Break & Sabbatical Fairy Godmother here to make your dreams come true.
As a certified master coach with an MBA, I help 9-5ers create successful, mind-blowing career breaks and fight through the fear of breaking from their conventional career paths to create a life that brings fulfillment, joy, adventure or whatever they are craving.
My story
As a young adult, I had it pretty good: the corporate job, a comfortable salary, generous company benefits. Or so it seemed.
I worked my way up the ladder across three large companies, earning praise and awards along the way.
But something was missing.
I had a comfortable life that looked "successful" on the outside, but inside I struggled with an inner knowing that I was trapped inside a life that wasn’t really “me.”
I felt restless and uninspired.
I knew a change was necessary but I wasn’t ready to make a big leap to figure out what I really wanted. Instead, I took the “safe” route of going to a top 20 business school. I thought if I did well, with my MBA and my newly-secured job at a fortune 500 company, I would start to feel fulfilled.
I would finally be living the life I had always wanted.
I worked hard and was good at my job, but I lacked the enthusiasm and strategy necessary to keep climbing the ladder. Plus I had this nagging feeling that things still didn’t feel right.
I knew I needed something different.
I worked with a life coach and asked her to help me "find my purpose" - I thought I just needed a better job. But several months later - cue the big epiphany: I didn't need a purpose or a new job.
I just needed a break. I needed to see the world.
I was absolutely terrified and completely thrilled by the idea. What if the job market tanks and there are no available options for me when I get back? What if I take this big trip, spend all of my money and STILL don't know what I want to do with my life?
But deep down I knew it was what I had to do.
So I plotted and planned then gave up my corporate life for 20 months.
And I traveled the world.
I met new friends and reconnected with old. I scrambled from place to place, and at the same time mastered the art of chill. I became a certified yoga instructor and saw corners of the world I didn’t
even know existed. And oh my God, the food.
After those 20 months, I realized how capable I was of doing anything I set my mind to, how to take control of my finances using money as a tool to get what I wanted, and I caught a glimpse of what it meant to live into my full potential.
Transitioning back was a lot easier than I’d imagined.
I felt inspired and refreshed. And I knew what was important to me when it came to work.
I landed 5 job offers including a dream job with just 5 weeks of job hunting and dedicated focus.
It turns out most companies find those brave enough to follow their dreams and take big leaps interesting and highly desirable.
Through this experience, I realized that I wanted to become a life coach and use my experience to help others in similar situations. I wanted to help them find the courage to follow their own unique path and witness the power of a career break firsthand.
I want to help you.
This dream of mine to travel the world, this glorious life I’ve built on my own terms, it didn’t just happen. It came through hard work, careful planning, serious budgeting and an amazing life coach who helped me find the courage to take a leap of faith.
I can show you how.
Kindness and empathy are the foundation of what I do. I’m a great listener, and hear the things you’ve left unsaid. I ask the right questions and help you find the answers.
Together, let’s get you started on the path to freedom - take the next step.
This episode is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Spreaker, Audible and anywhere you get your podcasts!
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