Work feels like a drag and you’re staring out the window wishing you didn’t have to be in front of your laptop. Most founders have been there at some point. When sales are going slower than planned and annoyances pop up every day. It gets you down. Surely there’s an easier way to make money than this.
The number of employees taking sabbaticals is rising, and entrepreneurs are following the trend. A sabbatical might be a full break; with several weeks or months away from the business; mini breaks throughout the year, or even a part-time engagement or structured program for skill development outside your main thing. They are linked to reduced burnout and increased productivity all round.
A sabbatical might be exactly what you need. Taking time off and regaining your drive for the mission could be the difference between running on empty forever and coming back stronger. They’re not just for academics and people in jobs. Entrepreneurs can take career breaks too.
After selling my agency in 2021, I took time off before starting my next venture. That break gave me the clarity to build something completely different and more aligned with who I’d become.
The breakthrough you need might come from stepping back, not pushing forward.
When your business needs you to leave: 7 signs a sabbatical is due
You’ve lost motivation
Remember when you first started? Everything was an adventure. Problems were puzzles to solve. Business was a game. Now you’re dragging yourself to your desk, counting the hours until you can stop. The spark is gone and everything feels heavy.
When business stops being fun, you stop bringing your best ideas. You make safe choices instead of bold moves. First, see if you can get your business mojo back. If that doesn’t work, take the sabbatical. And do it before you start to resent the thing you built. Come back when you remember why you started.
Your company runs itself
You’ve built something beautiful. Digital products sell while you sleep. Subscriptions renew automatically. The machine hums along without your constant attention. This is the perfect time to step away for a while.
Test it first. Take a long weekend without checking in. Then try a week. If nothing breaks, you’re ready for a break. Your business will be there when you get back, probably running better than ever.
You have an excellent team in place
Your team handles problems without calling you. They make decisions you’d agree with. You’re not the bottleneck anymore. In fact, you might be getting in their way.
Give them room to grow. Let them own their areas completely. When you come back, you’ll find they’ve leveled up in ways that wouldn’t have happened with you hovering.
You don’t need the money
Maybe you had a good exit. Maybe you’ve saved enough. Maybe your assets pay you monthly. Whatever the reason, you can afford to pause without panic. This is freedom most founders never achieve.
Use your blank space wisely. Plan your next move with intention. Don’t wait for some perfect moment that never comes. If you can afford to stop, you can afford to start again with fresh perspective.
You’re compromising health for money
Late nights are catching up on you. Your back hurts from hunching over your laptop. You can’t remember the last time you felt rested. No business is worth destroying your body.
Your health is your wealth. Take the break now while you can still recover. Come back stronger, not broken. Your future self will thank you for choosing yourself over another quarter of growth.
Something else lights you up
Maybe it’s a mission. Maybe it’s a passion project. Maybe it’s something you want to explore but never had time. That pull isn’t going away. It’s getting stronger.
Honor what’s calling you (after checking it’s not another shiny object). These interests often lead to your next big thing. Even if they don’t, you’ll come back to business with new energy and perspectives. Follow your curiosity down new rabbit holes and see what else you could build.
Your family is supporting you
Your partner sees you need this. Your kids miss the version of you that wasn’t always stressed. Even your parents are suggesting you take a break. Listen to the people who want the best for you, while knowing what you want.
Surround yourself with people who don’t hold you back. If they’re encouraging a sabbatical, they could see something you might be missing. Trust your gut, but consider your perspective. They want you whole, not just successful.
Plan your sabbatical and come back afresh: entrepreneurs can take breaks too
You’re doing this for breakthrough, not breakdown. Create space for what’s next when you free up your calendar and mental overload. Plan your sabbatical like you’d plan a product launch. Set a return date. Prepare your team. Create systems that work without you. Then disconnect. No sneaky email checks. No “quick calls.” Rest requires boundaries. You didn’t start your company to become a slave to it. You created it to serve you. Make the plan and log right off.
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