The Power of Sabbatical and Self-Discovery with Lyndall Farley

Spirit of EQ

What interests or passions would you pursue if you incorporated frequent sabbaticals into your lifestyle?

We talk about the transformative power of sabbaticals and self-discovery with our special guest, Lyndall Farley, a sabbatical coach who has taken an impressive 11 sabbaticals herself. This episode explores strategic approaches to taking time off work, the importance of planning ahead, and the essential role of support networks.

What are the impacts of the pandemic on personal reflection, the increasing adoption of sabbaticals in the corporate world, and the benefits of disconnecting from the constant demands of work? Lyndall shares insightful stories, including how sabbaticals can aid in transitioning to retirement, improve work-life balance, and provide clarity in one’s career and personal life.

Whether you're considering a short break or a longer sabbatical, or just curious about how to find purpose beyond professional achievements, this episode is packed with valuable insights. Tune in as we uncover how stepping away from the 'hamster wheel' can rejuvenate not only your career but your entire outlook on life.

Key Moments

00:00 Exploring role of a sabbatical coach.

04:31 Reflecting post-pandemic: career breaks and life priorities.

09:57 Successful but burnt-out professional seeking sabbatical.

13:09 Life design clarified career and work-life balance.

16:12 Decompression fosters recovery and self-rediscovery.

20:30 Prepare family, business, build connections for future.

22:40 Unexpected life events require immediate adaptation.

26:08 Entrepreneur seeks validation through business success.

29:15 Corporate career lacks enduring personal connections.

35:02 Optimal EQ work requires undistracted focus, ideally sabbatical.

37:28 Discuss burnout costs, prevention, and sabbaticals.

42:04 Sabbaticals retain employees, delaying natural exit points.

43:13 Successful family member fears mindless work burnout.

48:38 Traveling to foster kids' empathy and growth.

52:15 Prioritize a break over hiring a coach.

54:30 Prefer workforce with periodic, strategic recharge breaks.

Lyndall Farley

Sabbatical Coach and Consultant

www.beyondabreak.com – Coaching and Consulting

www.gobreakspace.com – Community

Lyndall Farley is an experienced Sabbatical Coach and Consultant passionate about the transformative benefits of extended breaks from work. Through her private coaching practice and membership community - BreakSpace, she guides people to intentionally design a break then helps them recharge and reimagine their next chapter in life and work.

Lyndall also works with companies setting up sabbatical programs to boost employee wellbeing and retention by providing consulting, workshops, sabbatical toolkits and employee coaching.

Lyndall is a true believer in the power of sabbaticals. She has taken 11 sabbaticals (solo and with her family) and has now guided hundreds of people on their sabbatical journeys.

Since the beginning of her career, Lyndall was using sabbaticals to step back, recharge and reflect, so that she could return and leap forward with her next big challenge. She spent 10+ years working for a global consulting firm specialising in Organisational Change Management before training as a coach and launching her business. In 2024 she was awarded a MSc. in Psychology and Neuroscience from King’s College London and combines all this knowledge and experience into her coaching approach.

Lyndall is Australian and has travelled to over 70 countries on all 7 continents. She's lived in the Sydney, America, London and now lives in Amsterdam with her husband and daughter.

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Spirit of EQ

Mentioned in this episode:

SEQ Development Report

The SEQ Development Report is an innovative tool that combines emotional intelligence with one's spiritual life, distinct from religious contexts. The report helps individuals understand their connections with themselves, others, and their surroundings. It aims to identify areas in their lives that may need improvement and highlight their strengths, ultimately facilitating better navigation through life. To obtain the report, individuals need to contact Spirit of EQ via email at [e-mail] and complete an online assessment that takes about 15 to 20 minutes. After the assessment, a debrief session is required to review the comprehensive information provided in the report. Spirit of EQ also offers further coaching to support individuals in their personal development journey.

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