This is part 3 of a 10-part series on my 3-month sabbatical during the summer of 2024.  This series has two purposes— 1) to motivate and equip others to take a restorative break from work, and 2) to share insights I gained during my time away.  To start at the beginning of the series, go here.

Doing and Being

The sabbatical really occurred on two levels.  The first level involved activities, events, and circumstances (the outer landscape).  The second level was about my thoughts, insights, emotions, and beliefs (the inner landscape).  

I recognize that doing flows from being.  The most powerful strategies and actions come from more peace, centeredness, and abundance.  

But it works in both directions.  Whatever happens on the outside affects the inside.  Trying out (doing) new behaviors can generate transformational insights that shift our internal state (being).  Therefore, it matters what actions we choose, especially during inflection points in our lives.  

For this installment, I’ll focus on the outer landscape and activities I chose

What I Did

I wanted my sabbatical to disrupt the patterns that had led to my dissatisfaction with the status quo.  I started building a list of experiences and activities I might pursue— mostly just things that intuitively felt like escape or rest.  

I planned slow vacations with Kim in Michigan, Colorado, and Washington state, two camping trips, a knife-forging class (something I had been eyeing for a couple of years), a 4-day silent retreat, and meetings with friends.

I left plenty of space open on the calendar.  I ended up using that free time for whatever I felt like doing— naps, working out, artwork, making music, daydreaming, reading, journaling, listening to music, lying on the couch, watching a movie, or a random fun handyman project around the house.

I maintained my usual workout routines and eating patterns.  I got better sleep than normal— sleeping longer and with fewer nights interrupted by a racing mind.

I did more than my usual amount of praying, meditating, and journaling.  

I maintained my pre-sabbatical rhythm of regular conversations with three individuals:  Jackie Halstead (spiritual director), Rob Loane (friend and former spiritual director), and Charlie Kelley (86-year old mentor and surrogate father, RIP).  As always, we had deep conversations about what was going on inside me.  Having just one advisor of this quality would have been great.  Having three was exceptional.  I paused my regular business coaching conversations with my coach Mike Donahue (also very talented), because I wanted to keep the sabbatical as “business-free” as possible.

Over the course of the sabbatical, I spent lots of time in restful, life-giving activities (as I had intended).  What I now realize is that this rest gave me space for the deeper inner work.   And it was just that— hard work.   This is a paradox— inner work requires deep rest. 

Both the rest and the inner work felt healthy.  Thankfully, some part of me knew that I needed both.

Summary

1. Healthier being generates healthier doing.  And new behaviors and activities (doing) can generate transformational insights (shifting being).
2. Engage trusted advisors to help you navigate the journey. 
3. Focus on activities that feel healthy. 
4. Inner work requires deep rest.

Now, we shift attention to my inner landscape, unpacking what changed in my heart, mind, and spirit. 

Next up:  Part 4 – Slowing Down

If you have any thoughts on this topic, feel free to engage with it over on LinkedIn.

Chip Neidigh is Founder and CEO at Kairos, where he and his colleagues help CEOs build elite executive teams.  Want to be notified when we post articles that invite a journey into more courageous and selfless leadership? Sign up for The Kairos Moment, our monthly(ish) email alert.