‘Working’ in the grounds of Honpoji Temple, Kyoto [image: Takeshi Kohari]
I have recently got back from a six month ‘sabbatical’ in Japan. When I headed out there I was determined to get a change of pace in my work and home life. There were many business-related reasons to go, but in order to make it happen I had to put the brakes on some projects, let go of others, take on freelance support and really take a step back from the craziness that had gone before. But the results have been surprising.
In this six month ‘sabbatical’ – a time of rest, reflection and exploration – it turns out that I ended up being more productive and creative than ever before.
I want to be really specific about how far we moved forward during the six months in Japan, to remind myself in months and years to come that taking a sabbatical can be good for business.
During this time we…
* Helped people from more than 100 countries get closer to doing what they love
* Got nominated as a finalist in the Digital Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 2012
* Were interviewed or mentioned on more than 50 blogs and websites
* Tripled our audience
* Signed contracts/started creative work on three exciting new projects with new collaborators (launching in 2013)
* Were offered a book deal (which we have turned down for now…)
* Got very focused about where the company is going
* Launched the world’s first online magazine dedicated to surface pattern design
* Started writing a column for a new business magazine (out soon!)
* Planned our overhaul of this website (launching in the new year – stay tuned!)
And perhaps most importantly… we had the most fun yet!
Have you considered how a sabbatical might be good for your business?
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Module 2 of The Art and Business of Surface Pattern Design begins on Monday November 5! This is the last time we will run this course this year. If you want to learn how to create your professional identity, and be guided step-by-step through building your brand as a designer, then this course is for you. Find out more and register here.
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