How many of us feel like we need time off? I can feel all the affirmative head nods at answering that question! Most of us take vacations. But what is entailed in a real career break with structured time off? Is it something that more employers and even Small Businesses should consider for some of their team members? What are the implications, both financially and with productivity? Also, what are the implications for the person taking a career break? Is it too risky? Is too much professional momentum lost for both the employer and employee? We answer some of those questions today in this interview with Laura Nguyen who has an extensive background in helping high-achieving leaders go from burned out to balanced.

Takeaways: 1. Take time to play, pause, plan and pursue. 2. Find your circle of trusted and truthful contacts that know how to ask the right type of questions for you to gain Clarity. 3. It’s possible to take a career break without sacrificing your professional momentum/trajectory and cultural attitudes towards career breaks have shifted significantly 4. Define one fun activity for this next week. Contact Laura at: https://lauranguyen.co or https://sollesolutions.com

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Resources with tools and guidance for mid-career individuals, professionals & those at the halftime of life seeking Growth and fulfillment: http://HalftimeSuccess.com

CHAPTERS: 00:00 – Introduction 01:59 – Laura Nguyen’s Background 06:43 – Career Break vs. Vacation 10:38 – Common Fears of Taking a Career Break 18:16 – Duration of a Career Break 20:40 – Overcoming Burnout and Hesitation 22:46 – Importance of Trusted Friends 27:01 – Long-Term Benefits of a Career Break 31:40 – Employer’s Role in Career Breaks 34:54 – Mental Obstacles to Taking a Break 38:21 – Key Takeaway for Listeners 41:47 – How to Contact Laura 43:20 – Outro

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Deborah Johnson Podcaster

Up for multiple GRAMMY Awards and spending over 20 years in the entertainment industry, Deborah Johnson, M.A., built multiple self-driven businesses. While many discuss career transitions and achieving success in a second act, few offer comprehensive guidance on leveraging automated content with core values and purpose. She is an expert on how to constantly reinvent yourself in a gig-economy, working mainly with those at mid-career and halftime of life. A creative powerhouse, she has released multiple books, albums, published hundreds of songs, has a thriving podcast and has written three musicals. Deborah speaks and performs for both live and virtual events.