Take a Mid-Career Gap Year

Good morning, 9-5 Rebels!

Grab your coffee and enjoy some rebellious inspiration.

Below is a three-step process to start your first mid-career gap year.

A mid-career gap year is a way to reset your life. You’re rewarded with mental rejuvenation and renewed confidence in your future.

Unfortunately, most people believe a mid-career gap year is impossible. 

There’s an assumption that gap years are only for pre-career youth.

For some reason, society frowns upon taking a break after you start working. Why? Because that’s what everyone else does!

• The general population is afraid of change.

• The general population is afraid of standing out and being different.

• The general population is afraid of what others will think if they’re not employed.

But everyone you talk with wants to stop working - even for a bit. They’d rather spend more time with their family, travel more, or spend more time at the beach.

I’ve had two gap years after working (9-5 jobs) full-time. It’s possible, it’s amazing, and I’m going to help you get started!

Here's how, step by step:

Involve your family in the plan.

When you have a family (or significant other), make sure everyone is as excited as you about what it means to take a gap year. And the best way to do this is to involve them in the plan.

1. Do you plan to travel or live domestically?

2. Do you want to explore new cultures or spend quality time with your family?

3. Are you going to homeschool your kids or only travel during their breaks?

4. If you’re traveling, do you want to travel in style and stay at four-star hotels? Or do you plan on staying in cheap(er) countries and sleeping in hostels?

Answering these questions will provide a tentative plan (things will change).

Pick your location.

Pick your activities.

Write them down.

You can change your mind during your break, but this will impact the amount of money you need (or vice versa, the length of your gap year).

Prepare a budget.

Many jump at the idea of not working but don’t have a purpose with their newfound time. And the money can run out quickly.

Be purposeful with your plan and your budget. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how easy you can make this a reality.

Using your plan above -

1. Research the cost of a rental, food, transportation, and essentials.

2. Are you moving locations every three months? Don’t forget airplane ticket costs.

3. If you’re staying locally, include your mortgage.

4. Are there costs that you can eliminate from your everyday budget? No new work clothes, commuter costs, or lunch at the office.

Depending on your plan, gap years can be created with only $1,000-$3,000 a month. That’s doable!

Use a spreadsheet (or pencil - reminder, things will change!) and write out how long you’re in each location.

Track the estimated costs associated with the plan - including travel between destinations.

And decide how long you want to spend on your self-created sabbatical.

You now have a budget and target to work toward.

Decide how soon you want to step away from corporate work and pick a date.

Saving for a gap year that costs $1,000-$3,000 is possible with a budget.

And the kicker? You get to decide how quickly you want to escape the 9-5 doldrums. 

Do you already have the money saved to meet your budget? Go tomorrow.

What steps are needed to save for 8-months away? 12-months? 18-months? Pick your date and work toward it one month at a time.

If you’re saving for a 12-month gap, but after saving for a 6-month gap you need to take off…do it!

This is the exciting part. The target date to your (first) gap year.

Don’t let the naysayers convince you otherwise.

Having a plan, budget, and escape date will be exciting, motivating, and inspirational.

Once you write it all down, you’ll be more incentivized to make it a reality.

You’ll go into work on Monday with a renewed sense of purpose - you’re working to pay for your upcoming mid-career gap year!

Be warned, there will be naysayers telling you it’s impossible. They’ll tell you the gap will hurt your career or you’ll run out of money. But they’re just projecting their fears (and they’re probably a bit jealous).

Mid-career gap years are enjoyed all the time and now it’s your turn!

This is a moment to spend time on your interests (family, travel, hobbies) - a break to reset, refresh, and rejuvenate your soul.

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If this helped you take your first step toward a mid-career gap year, please email me at [email protected] and let me know.

If you know someone who needs encouragement for a change to their 9-5 grind, please share this newsletter with them.

I hope you have a rebellious week!

Quinn