Sign-In
Cart
Your Sabbatical: A workbook for defining your career sabbatical and creating transformative change.
Paperback
Publisher: Christopher Grossmeier
Published: Apr 21 2026
Pages: 310
Weight: 1.59
Height: 0.65 Width: 8.50 Depth: 11.00
Language: English
You've taken the two-week vacation. It didn't work. You came back and the same weight was sitting there waiting. What you need is months. Enough time to recover, recalibrate, or change direction, without blowing up your finances, blindsiding your family, or torching your reputation on the way out.
Your Sabbatical is that plan. 17 chapters. Every phase covered.
Christopher Grossmeier took a sabbatical in 2025 after years of burnout he kept outrunning. He planned it, funded it, negotiated it, survived the first weeks off, did the identity work, and figured out how to come back. This workbook covers rest, reset, and pivot sabbaticals of 3 to 18 months. Every exercise runs 15 to 45 minutes and ends with something tangible.
Part One: Before Your Sabbatical (Ch. 1-5)Build a real budget, calculate your runway, pitch your employer, align your household, and count down your last 30 days. From vague idea to a plan you can act on in 4 to 8 weeks.Ch. 1: Why You're Here, defining your typeCh. 2: The Money Conversation, burn rate, three budgets, healthcare, runwayCh. 3: The Conversation with Your Employer, three departure paths, pitch languageCh. 4: The Conversation with Your Family and FriendsCh. 5: Timeline, Logistics, and the Last 30 Days
Part Two: On Sabbatical (Ch. 6-12)The companion for while you're away. Decompression, rhythm, identity work, learning, relationships, wellness, and the mid-sabbatical slump. It probably will happen.Ch. 6: The First Two Weeks, decompression and phantom workCh. 7: Finding Your Rhythm, anchor habits and sleep debtCh. 8: Who Am I Without the Title? Identity workCh. 9: Learning, Creating, and Going DeepCh. 10: Relationships During SabbaticalCh. 11: Wellness, Rest, and the BodyCh. 12: The Check-In, weekly reflection and the mid-sabbatical slump
Part Three: Returning to Work (Ch. 13-17)Where most sabbatical resources fall flat. Take stock, make the career decision, build your narrative, run the job search if needed, and protect what you gained.Ch. 13: Taking StockCh. 14: The Career Decision, return, pivot, or something elseCh. 15: Telling Your Story, handling the gap without apologyCh. 16: The Job Search, 8 to 12 weeks for the modern marketCh. 17: Sustaining the Change, protecting what you gained
This book provides the structure and purpose I wish I'd had from day one. Do the exercises, follow the recommendations, and invest in yourself.Robert Graves, Principal, Galaxie House, LLC
It's the book my bumps and bruises would have appreciated before I got started.Dave Payne, Owner, State Change, LLC, Former Google
Open to wherever you are. Do the exercise. The guide you needed exists now.
Also in
Careers
What They Didn't Teach You in Design School: What You Actually Need to Know to Make a Success in the Industry
Cleaver, Phil
Hardcover
Whale Done!: The Power of Positive Relationships
Tompkins, Chuck
Blanchard, Kenneth
Lacinak, Thad
Hardcover
Climb: Taking Every Step with Conviction, Courage, and Calculated Risk to Achieve a Thriving Career and a Successful Life
Gadsden-Williams, Michelle
Brown, Carolyn M.
Paperback
The First 90 Days, Updated and Expanded: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarter
Watkins, Michael D.
Hardcover
7 Rules of Power: Surprising--But True--Advice on How to Get Things Done and Advance Your Career
Pfeffer, Jeffrey
Paperback
How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big: Kind of the Story of My Life
Adams, Scott
Hardcover
From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life
Brooks, Arthur C.
Hardcover
The Ambition Penalty: How Corporate Culture Tells Women to Step Up--And Then Pushes Them Down
O'Connell, Stefanie
Hardcover
What Color Is Your Parachute?: Your Guide to a Lifetime of Meaningful Work and Career Success
Bolles, Richard N.
Paperback
Thanks for the Feedback: The Science and Art of Receiving Feedback Well
Heen, Sheila
Stone, Douglas
Paperback
What I Wish I Knew about Luck: A Crash Course on Turning Aspirations Into Achievements
Seelig, Tina
Paperback
All the Cool Girls Get Fired: How to Let Go of Being Let Go and Come Back on Top
O'Neill, Kristina
Brown, Laura
Hardcover
The Mission Generation: Reclaim Your Purpose, Rewrite Success, Rebuild Our Future
Gupta, Arun
Fewer, Thomas J.
Hardcover
Get Hired, Get Paid, Get Happy: Your No B.S. Guide to Land a Job You Love and Build Your Ideal Career
Dewan, Sho
Hardcover
Cue the Lifeboat: A Choose-Your-Current Guide to Get Your Ship Together
Palpant, Christiane
Paperback
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff . . . and It's All Small Stuff: Simple Ways to Keep the Little Things from Taking Over Your Life
Carlson, Richard
Paperback
The Broken Rung: When the Career Ladder Breaks for Women--And How They Can Succeed in Spite of It
Yee, Lareina
del Mar Martinez, Maria
Ellingrud, Kweilin
Hardcover
Career Cheat Codes: The Unspoken, Unconventional, and Unfiltered Rules of Career Success
Johnson, Courtney
Paperback
Motivate Yourself to Impress How to Make 'Em Love Ya' and PicK Ya'!: College Students' Guide to Getting Hired
Sterling-Hamilton, Katrika
Paperback
Pivot-Quest: Find Your Way Forward When the Career You Built No Longer Fits
Baptista, Luis R.
Pereira, Juliana N.
Paperback
Cracking the Coding Interview: 189 Programming Questions and Solutions
McDowell, Gayle Laakmann
Paperback
The Staff Engineer's Path: A Guide for Individual Contributors Navigating Growth and Change
Reilly, Tanya
Paperback
Be the Unicorn: 12 Data-Driven Habits That Separate the Best Leaders from the Rest /]Cwilliam Vanderbloemen; Foreword by John C.
Vanderbloemen, William
Hardcover
So Good They Can't Ignore You: Why Skills Trump Passion in the Quest for Work You Love
Newport, Cal
Hardcover
The 2-Hour Job Search, Third Edition: Using Technology to Get the Right Job Faster
Dalton, Steve
Paperback
Working Identity, Updated Edition, with a New Preface: Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career
Ibarra, Herminia
Hardcover
Federal Resume Guidebook 8th Ed: First-Ever Book on Writing the Two-Page Federal Resume
Gagnon, John
Troutman, Kathryn
Paperback
The Advice Trap: Be Humble, Stay Curious & Change the Way You Lead Forever
Stanier, Michael Bungay
Paperback
The No B.S. Guide to Military Life: How to build wealth, get promoted, and achieve greatness
Pere, David
Paperback
Headhunter Confidential: The Unwritten Rules for Landing a Job You Love
Bremer, Katharine Day
Paperback
The First 90 Days, Newly Revised and Updated: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarter
Watkins, Michael D.
Hardcover
Inner Mastery, Outer Impact: How Your Five Core Energies Hold the Key to Success
Wadhwa, Hitendra
Paperback
More Than a Living: What Corporate Insiders Do to Achieve Career Growth, Leadership, and Purpose
Shattuck, Kate
Hardcover
Jobseeker's Guide, 10th Edition, Ten Steps to a Federal Job: How to Land Government Jobs for Military and Spouses
Troutman, Kathryn
Paperback
Retire Often: How Anyone Can Take Multiple Career Breaks to Unlock Adventure, Advance Their Career, and Find Financial Freedom
Johnsrud, Jillian
Paperback
The Real Estate Game: The Intelligent Guide to Decisionmaking and Investment
Poorvu, William J.
Cruikshank, Jeffrey L.
Hardcover
101 Things I Didn't Learn In Architecture School: And wish I had known before my first job
Lebner, Sarah
Paperback
Getting from College to Career Third Edition: Your Essential Guide to Succeeding in the Real World
Pollak, Lindsey
Paperback
You Don't Have to Be a Doctor: Discover, Achieve, and Enjoy Your Authentic Health Career
Oxendine, Jeffrey
Paperback
The World According to Martin Armstrong: Conversations with the Master Forecaster
Lutz, Kerry
Paperback
Think BIG and Kick Ass in Business and Life LP (Large Print Edition)
Trump, Donald J.
Zanker, Bill
Paperback
I Wish Someone Had Told Me . . .: The Best Advice for Building a Great Career and a Meaningful Life
Perino, Dana
Hardcover
The 2-Hour Job Search, Second Edition: Using Technology to Get the Right Job Faster
Dalton, Steve
Paperback
Pitch Your Potential: The Formula for Winning Dream Jobs, Awards, and Elite Opportunities
Johnson, Vicki
Hardcover
Work How You Are Wired: 12 Data-Driven Steps to Finding a Job You Love
Vanderbloemen, William
Hardcover
Wayfinding: Navigating Your Personal Evolution and Professional Growth Mountains
Uffelman, Christy
Paperback
Heard on The Street: Quantitative Questions from Wall Street Job Interviews
Crack, Timothy Falcon
Paperback
What I Wish I Knew When I Was 20 - 10th Anniversary Edition: A Crash Course on Making Your Place in the World
Seelig, Tina
Paperback
Think Like a Game Designer: The Step-By-Step Guide to Unlocking Your Creative Potential
Gary, Justin
Hardcover
How to Prepare for Job Interviews: 7 Easy Steps to Master Interviewing Skills, Job Interview Questions & Answers
Kingsley, Theodore
Paperback
How to Network: 7 Easy Steps to Master Personal Networking, Small Talk, Business Networking Events & Networking Skills
Kingsley, Theodore
Paperback
Living the 100-Year Life: How to Build a Career That Lasts and a Life You Love
Gratton, Lynda
Hardcover
Working for Yourself: Law & Taxes for Independent Contractors, Freelancers & Gig Workers of All Types
Fishman, Stephen
Paperback
College Prep for Musicians: A Comprehensive Guide for Students, Parents, Teachers, and Counselors
Greene, Don
Tesar, Kathleen
Bosler, Annie
Paperback
Entrepreneurial You: Monetize Your Expertise, Create Multiple Income Streams, and Thrive
Clark, Dorie
Hardcover
Careers in Sport, Fitness, and Exercise: A Guide to Kinesiology Professions
American Kinesiology Association
Paperback
12 Universal Skills: The Beginner's Guide to a Successful Work Life
Scheele, Peter
Bech-Andersen, Nina
Paperback
Do What You Are: Discover the Perfect Career for You Through the Secrets of Personality Type
Tieger, Paul D.
Barron, Barbara
Tieger, Kelly
Paperback
When the Little Things Count . . . and They Always Count: 601 Essential Things That Everyone In Business Needs to Know
Pachter, Barbara
Paperback
CEO Ready: What You Need to Know to Earn the Job--And Keep the Job
Loflin, Byron
Thompson, Mark
Hardcover
Master Your Next Move, with a New Introduction: The Essential Companion to the First 90 Days
Watkins, Michael D.
Hardcover
Focus in Action Is Great Leadership: 10 Tenets of Leadership & Professional Excellence
White, Belinda Johnson
Paperback
Resume & Linkedin Strategies for New College Graduates: What Works to Launch a Gen-Z Career
Kursmark, Louise
Melnik, Jan
Paperback
People Styles at Work...and Beyond: Making Bad Relationships Good and Good Relationships Better
Bolton, Dorothy Grover
Bolton, Robert
Paperback
Must Read for Newcomers to America: Smart & Simple Tips to Succeed in Career, Family, and Life
Nguyen, Tom Nghia
Paperback
Storytelling with Data: Before and After - Practical Makeovers for Powerful Data Stories
Nussbaumer Knaflic, Cole
Velez, Alex
Cisneros, Mike
Paperback
The Squiggly Career: The No.1 Sunday Times Business Bestseller - Ditch the Ladder, Discover Opportunity, Design Your Career
Ellis, Sarah
Tupper, Helen
Paperback
Hbr's 10 Must Reads on Managing Your Career, Updated and Expanded (Featuring Five Ways to Future-Proof Your Career in the Age of AI by Dorie Clark and
Kaplan, Robert Steven
Review, Harvard Business
Ibarra, Herminia
Paperback
101 Things I Learned(r) in Culinary School (Second Edition)
Frederick, Matthew
Eguaras, Louis
Hardcover
A Roadmap for the Job Hunt: A Practical Guide to Mastering Interviews, Resumes, and Landing the Job
Bennett, R. D.
Paperback
Job Moves: 9 Steps for Making Progress in Your Career
Moesta, Bob
Bernstein, Ethan
Horn, Michael B.
Hardcover
The Business of You: Ask the Right Questions, Tell Your Story, and Lead Your Life
Coniglio, Nick
Stockman, Marnie
Paperback
Home Based Jobs: Work From Home and Make Money Online (Achieve Financial Freedom and Passive Income in the New Economy)
Smith, Maurice
Paperback
The Million-Dollar Financial Advisor: Powerful Lessons and Proven Strategies from Top Producers
Mullen Jr, David J.
Paperback
How to Write an Exceptional Business Plan: A Step-by-Step Guide to Winning Investors, Lenders, and Success
Cheeks, Ashley
Paperback
Expert Resumes and Linkedin Profiles for Managers & Executives
Enelow, Wendy
Kursmark, Louise
Paperback
Recruit - The Savage Way: Skills, Attitudes and Tactics to Be an Outstanding Recruiter
Savage, Greg
Paperback
The Bartender's Bible: 1001 Mixed Drinks and Everything You Need to Know to Set Up Your Bar
Regan, Gary
Paperback
Land Your Dream Career in College: The Complete Guide to Success
Terhune, Tori Randolph
Hays, Betsy
Hardcover
Land the Right Job, Right Now!: Everything You Need to Know about Working in the Modern World (That Your Competition Won't Tell You)
Lovell, Christian
Paperback
Creative Confidence: Unleashing the Creative Potential Within Us All
Kelley, Tom
Kelley, David
Hardcover
The Visible Expert Revolution: How to Turn Ordinary Experts into Thought Leaders, Rainmakers and Industry Superstars
Frederiksen, Lee
Harr, Elizabeth
Feldman, Karl
Paperback
The AI-Savvy Job Seeker: Transform Your LinkedIn Profile and Outshine the Competition
Dumas, Michelle
Paperback
The Career Playbook: Essential Advice for Today's Aspiring Young Professional
Citrin, James M.
Paperback
In Transition: From the Harvard Business School Club of New York's Career Management Seminar
Burton, Mary Lindley
Wedemeyer, Richard A.
Paperback
Tithe Your Career: Following Jesus among the nations in the first years of your career
White, Katy
Van Der Werf, Paul
Paperback
Success Runs in Our Race: The Complete Guide to Effective Networking in the Black Community
Fraser, George C.
Paperback
Broadway Bound and Beyond: A Musician's Guide to Building a Theater Career
Craddock, Clayton
Paperback
Quick Leadership: Build Trust, Navigate Change, and Cultivate Unstoppable Teams
Rezvani, Selena
Paperback
Internships in the Private Sector: How You Can Find, Prepare For, and Thrive in Them
Fishkin, Charles A.
Paperback
How to Succeed in Business Without Being White: Straight Talk on Making It in America
Graves, Earl G.
Paperback
The World According to Martin Armstrong: Conversations with the Master Forecaster
Lutz, Kerry
Hardcover
Ejecutar Ejecutando / Excute by Excuting: El Arte de Hacer Que Las Cosas Sucedan
Ruiz González, Carlos
Basterra, Alejandro
Paperback
500 Careers and Salaries: The Job Seeker's Atlas. Salaries and Roles Across Industries
Sanz, Javier
Paperback
The Way of the HR Warrior: Leading the Charge to Transform Your Career and Organization
Frede, Monica
Ohlrich, Keri
Paperback
The Resume Writing Guide: A Step-by-Step Workbook for Writing a Winning Resume
McGrimmon, Lisa
Paperback
The Truth about Employee Engagement: A Fable about Addressing the Three Root Causes of Job Misery
Lencioni, Patrick M.
Hardcover
Cracking the PM Interview: How to Land a Product Manager Job in Technology
McDowell, Gayle Laakmann
Bavaro, Jackie
Paperback