Bex Thomas spent 20 years in recruitment before an intentional career break became the catalyst for a portfolio career as a career transition coach, sabbatical coach, and podcast host of Sabbatical Stories.

Bex explains her five-question framework for planning intentional career breaks: why you are taking the break, when to take it, where to go, who to spend time with, and who you want to become afterwards. 

She covers the financial planning behind extended breaks, how to negotiate leave when your company has no sabbatical policy, and why the integration period after a break determines whether it changes your career or fades into memory. 

Most mid-career transitions, she argues, turn out to be values realignment rather than seismic change.

Wisepreneurs explores how experienced independent professionals position accumulated expertise and build sustainable practice.

Mentions and references:
Ikigai by Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles
Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer at Google X, author of Solve for Happy
BreakSpace, online community for career break planning
The Sabbatical Project, not-for-profit promoting sabbaticals

Connect with Bex: website: bexthomas.com | LinkedIn: Bex Thomas

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