I have recently taken a 5 month mini-retirement from my most stressful job. Mini-retirements are becoming quite popular (well popularised in The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss) so I thought I would give it a try.

I have taken time off from work for extended periods before, for various reasons but this was the first time where I had specific intentions. This post will give an outline that I followed and can serve as a starting point for you to design your own.

The “How to” part:

1. Understanding your why

Make sure you know why you’re taking this time out, otherwise it’s just another holiday.

I needed some recovery time after a very exhausting and stressful few months so that I could think clearly again.

Having reached another milestone in my life design, I wanted to review whether it was still what I wanted and then put together a specific plan (always realising that this may change) for the next phase.

2. Your plan is your compass

If you don’t have a plan, you will probably end up getting side tracked and before you know it your time is up and you haven’t achieved your “Why”.

My plan involved:

• Winding down by focusing on one of my active income streams and sorting out the admin that normally got de-prioritised.
• Travel and spending quality time with family and friends. Travel always inspires me and spending time with family and friends allows me the opportunity to soundboard ideas
• Self-reflection to confirm if my life design was still what I really desired and would fulfil my purpose and then put a plan together for the next phase of achieving it.

3. Funding

Make sure that you have sufficient funding to be able to achieve the plan you have and any unforeseen expenses that may arise.

As part of my life design I have numerous active and passive income streams so was able to take the time off without any concerns.

4. Request leave (… or leave)

Nora Roberts said: “If you don’t ask, the answer is always no”, so ask and if it’s something you really want to do, if the answer is no, then leave.

I asked, and they said yes.

5. Just Do It!

It took a long time to slow my mind down going from ludicrous to sports mode (Yes, I’m a Tesla fan). Eventually I got to the point where I could think clearly again and through following the rest of the plan I had set out it reinforced what’s important in life. I did get to see some interesting places on my travels:

Experienced the extremes of New Zealand’s environments (harsh Milford Sound vs tranquil Lake Matheson)

And the extremes of Kuwait (lovely city in the harsh dessert)

Ending up in Germany (from the Bavarian Forrest to Dusseldorf area)


Seeing some interesting fauna along the way

6. Post-retirement

Know what you want to do post retirement. Some people go back to the way things were having had a break, others make drastic life changes, like quitting and take their careers in a completely different direction. In the end, it’s what you make of it that determines the benefits you see afterwards.

Even though my mini-retirement wasn’t overly exciting, it helped me feel mentally refreshed, psychologically energised, and overall happier and more productive. I am now looking forward to achieving the plan for the next phase of my life design!

Conclusion

Mini-retirements aren’t for everyone, but they can be a self-reflective, eye-opening experience, as it was for me. Contact me if you want to know more.