Reboot Your Life Blog from the Authors - Valentine’s Day and Giving the Gift of Time

February 11, 2010 – 8:52 am

We were talking about Valentine’s Day and how it is an equally important time for men and women.  It’s a chance to celebrate your relationships – either in person or across a distance - with a card or gift.  It often involves a special meal together, or doing something else memorable, even a trip out of town for a long weekend.  It’s a time for thoughtfulness and consideration from one to another.

Valentine’s Day gifts also can be the gift of time.  It can be time together - or it can be the thoughtfulness of recognizing that your loved one (spouse, partner, daughter or son, mother or father, aunt, uncle, grandparent, friend) might need a break from work.

Why not take the time, in this season of relationships, to have a discussion about the needs and dreams of your loved one?  Why not take the time to discuss your own needs and dreams?  We have many ideas that might contribute to these discussions on this website, in our forthcoming book Reboot Your Life, and in our Reboot Your Life Retreats.

The next Reboot Your Life Retreat is April 9-11, 2010 in Washington DC during beautiful cherry blossom season.  It is a long weekend in a small group setting devoted to imagining, discussing, and planning a meaningful break from work.  Previous participants attest that it is useful for men and women of any age at any stage of a Reboot Break: whether hoping to take one some day, actively planning it, or already on a break either by plan or due to unexpected job loss.  Everyone benefits from the weekend “gift of time” as a chance to plan their longer “gift of time.”

Why not give yourself or your “Valentine” a ticket to this retreat?  It’s a true gift of love - an opportunity to plan something that could change your life!

If you cannot make this one, we have three others planned in 2010:
-  June 11-13   Sag Harbor, New York  [register]
-  August 13-15   The Berkshires, New York  [register]
-  November 12-14   Santa Fe, New Mexico  [register]

The Sabbatical Sisters wish you a loving and meaningful Valentine’s Day!


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Reboot Your Life Blog from the Authors - Feng Shui for Change

February 9, 2010 – 9:36 am

10 Ways to Change the Energy in your Home or Office: Based on Feng Shui Principals

by Debra Dunier

1. Wait until you are feeling strong, focused, and happy.  Light a candle and do some relaxation breathing.  Think good thoughts and inhale.  Imagine releasing that good thought into the room as you exhale.

2. Sense if any areas in the room feel stale.  Clap your hands several times in stagnant areas.

3. Are there parts of the room that feel chaotic?  Use a bell or gong to disperse energy in areas that feel chaotic.

4. Energy flows very quickly near doorways and windows and often get congested.  Use wind chimes as a way of slowing the energy down.  Choose a sound that you find pleasant.

5. Electromagnetic fields minimize your health and wellness.  Move computer screens and televisions further away from you.  Even a small difference in distance can make a big difference in your exposure.  Pull plugs out of the outlets when you are not using them.  Think of options to replace the use of some of the electric items you are using.

6. You will feel unsettled when you sit in a corner.  The energy moves very quickly in that kind of path.  Soften the edge of a corner with plants.  Rearrange your furniture so you are not sitting or sleeping in the corner of the room to avoid restlesness.

7. Best position for sitting in with your back against the wall.  In feng shui the wall represents the black tortoise which protects.  The front of your body will then face the red bird and you will be protected on the left with the dragon and right by the tiger.

8. If you cannot furnish with your chair to a wall, protect your back with a screen or tall plants.

9. Remove unpleasant energy with sea salt.  Put a bowl of water next to a bowl with a handful of salt.  Be peaceful and move your hand over the salt gesturing that you are taking the bad energy out of it and putting it in the water.  Do this 9 times.  Spill the water out and place the bowl of salt in the room for cleansing.  Change daily until the room feels fresh and peaceful.

10. Purchase lavender and sage smudge stick.  Light with a match and put the smoke throughout the room.  Be sure to put the smoke around doorways, drawers, and electrical outlets.  Feel the difference in the energy in the room as the smoke subsides.


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Reboot Your Life Blog from the Authors - ePostcard from Scott & Kathy

February 1, 2010 – 8:29 am

Rita has been receiving fantastic ePostcards from a friend of hers named Kathy - Kathy was the first one to introduce a five year plan to Rita and the concepts of sabbaticals and early retirements.  Kathy and her husband are now on a 3+ month cruise on the MV Discovery and have given us permission to post their messages as one of our blogs.  We like it as an example of sabbatical-takers being creative on how to pay for 3 months off - in this case, as MV Discovery Guest Lecturers.  It also shows how to stay in touch electronically with friends and family and make them part of the sabbatical through photos along the way.

January 2, 2010

On the Sea Again: Singapore to Southern Africa

Well, friends, we’re doing it again: 3+ months on the MV Discovery as Guest Lecturers and, as we’ve recently coined ourselves: “Geeks at Sea”. For those of you that traveled with us (vicariously) last year, welcome to the latest adventure!

In brief, we fly from Arizona to Singapore, cruise Southeast Asia for about a month, then head down along the Indian subcontinent, stopping in Sri Lanka, the Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles and a variety of other “little” spots. In mid-February we start touring Southern and Eastern Africa. The cruise ends on March 31st, but we’ll then fly to Zimbabwe and tour with some wonderful Zimbabwean friends we met on the Discovery last year. This brings us up to mid-April; we’ll fly back to Arizona for a bit, then continue our “annual migration” to British Columbia for the summer.

We’ll be chronicling the journey through our regular website (link below), and we’ll also be sending out postcards like this one along the way. Both efforts are challenging because they require good internet access - we appreciate your patience if we’re not as regular with our missives as we’d like.

Here’s our 2010 cruise website

Wishing you the best,
Scott & Kathy

January 18, 2010

On the Sea Again: Singapore to South Africa (first segment completed)

Well, the first two week segment of our 3 month trip has come to an end. No worries – there are plenty more. Here’re some highlights

1/4/10 - Arrived Singapore; transfer to ship. Jetlag and tiredness from 30+ hour trip in Coach. We do not like Coach. Began our “job” of helping passengers with their computers & internet access. The ship really hasn’t enhanced their offering much, so we’ve got plenty to do.

1/7/10 - Pandanbai, Bali, Indonesia — small sleepy town, backpacker focus; at anchor. Wandered around, Kathy looking for cheap comfy dresses. Taxi to Candidasa, lunch (nasi goreng / mi goreng / bir Bintang / krupuk) return. Nostalgic day, and we’re pleased that so little has changed in Candidasa from when we first visited in 1992. We both escorted tours around Bali — beautiful Bali Hindu temple (alas, not the mother temple Besakih, which was closed or a ceremony). Temp adjusted for humidity was 103 (39c). Lovely tour but we both had “defective” guides in one way or another — Scott’s was loud and just wouldn’t shut up, Kathy’s was just not skilled as a guide. Price was right though; as escorts we go for free in exchange for helping “keep it all together” and to make sure our fellow passengers are taken well care of.

1/9/10 - Komodo, Indonesia: There be Dragons! Eastward from Bali, this little island is the primary home of the Komodo Dragon– world’s largest lizard. Access to the island is quite controlled — groups of 50 max each escorted by a local guide. After listening to a presentation about the island and the creatures, we heard that several passengers de-booked their tours.

The dragons were shy but we did encounter 4 of them (plus a baby) at a watering spot. Like something out of Jurassic Park. Fortunately, they had already eaten that day – they can run 15 MPH if motivated.

1/11/10 — Semarang, Indonesia . Kathy stayed behind (she didn’t get her tour-of-choice); Scott boarded a bus which drove basically from the north of Java to about 2/3rds the way to the bottom, to escort a tour to one of the “wonder of the world”, Borobudur Buddhist temple, an enormous monument built over 1000 years ago, and only recently re-discovered. Scott’d been there a decade earlier with Kathy, returning with better camera and an appreciation of Buddhist philosophy. Both were big assets to the trip.

1/14/10 — Two days at sea, we both worked quite a bit as Kathy is scrambling to get her port lectures done and both of us are delivering one-on-one consultations for passenger’s camera, PCs and Macs. (At the last minute, just before we left, Kathy was asked if she could create and deliver port lectures for the four Vietnamese ports we are visiting. This has kept her busy non-stop). Next port was the untouristed port of Kuantan, Malaysia. It’s an uninteresting town with fabulous beaches… unfortunately the weather was crappy.

Joined our Lecturer friend Simon and his partner Jon for a shared taxi into Kuantan. Objective was to do some shopping (snacks, tonic water…), get some time at an internet cafe, and have a good meal. All accomplished. The meal was nasi campur (”cham-pour”) — “rice assortment”. Basically you get a huge plate of rice and you chose what you want on it — vegetables, fish, meat, spicy, not. I had a couple of meats (well, chicken & fish) and managed to rack up MR7.60 - about US$2 worth. Desert was pisang goreng — battered fried bananas that are a specialty in South Asia. We were the only Westerners in the place, and got some stares — and smiles. We managed to find some tonic to go with the gin we’d bought at Hong Kong duty free.

1/16/10 — After an uneventful day at sea, we arrived in Sihanouville, Cambodia. A sprawling beach town at the bottom of the country. Kathy escorted the Tour From Hell (but enjoyed the sites…). Scott again joined Simon & John in a quixotic search for snake for lunch. We walked into town (about 2 miles in blazing heat) — they’re leaving the ship at Bangkok on the 18th and needed a visa for Vietnam. The consulate visit was remarkably easy but after the walk we needed a break. Angkor beer & excellent satay. After that a trip to the central market (which you could smell at a distance) and a tuk-tuk drive to the “Snake Restaurant”. Trouble is, while there are lots of snakes, crocodiles, caymans and other venomous creatures at the Snake Restaurants (even snake terrariums built into the dining tables) — but no snake on the menu. We had roasted frog, eel in coconut milk, and snails with sweet & sour veggies. Close but no snake. Dining next to us was Chef Tony — the Executive Chef for our ship. They were there to try snake too…

Meanwhile, Kathy’s tour took in the local market as well, then headed off to a fishing village built on a dock over the water. It looked very poor, but every “home” (really, a single room) had a TV in it (all were turned on). Shrimp are a big catch here, and there were huge tarps of drying shrimp spread everywhere.

1/18-1/19 2010 — After Scott negotiated a fair-if-expensive taxi rate from Laem Chabang to Bangkok (B1000 (about US$33 versus the $100 other passengers were paying) we set off to The Big City, Bangkok. We’ve both been to Bangkok several times: Scott several dozen times. So we didn’t feel the need to explore new things so much as to reacquant-ourselves with old ones. We put down in our favorite (inexpensive) Majestic Suites hotel, and then hit the streets, visiting Scott’s geek-favorite IT Mall, and getting a 90 minute traditional Thai massage (think “involuntary yoga”). Rendezvous’d with shipmates Simon & Jon for Thai dinner and a wander around Bangkok’s dark underbelly.

Short but sweet, the visit was nary 1 full day — early afternoon to early afternoon. One last farewell get-together with “the boys”, and the four of us are off to our respective adventures.

Which brings us up to date. We depart Bangkok’s port tonight & continue on to several ports in Vietnam. Watch this space.

Photos are in Scott Facebook albums and to a lesser extent on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/scott-kathy/)

More coming on the website

Wishing you the best,
Scott & Kathy


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Reboot Your Life Blog from the Authors - How to Have a Mini-Sabbatical

January 18, 2010 – 10:39 am

While many of us dream of taking three to six months off, or even a year, it sometimes takes awhile to make that a reality. It might be family obligations, career issues, or finances that prevent you from taking that time right now.

But there are ways you can create a “mini-sabbatical” experience in your current life. We write about this in our soon-to-be-published book, REBOOT YOUR LIFE. Here are some of the practical steps you can take:

If You Have a Week……

Don’t travel anywhere, but act like a visitor to your hometown. Take day trips, explore museums and historic sights. Eat at new restaurants. See things in a different light.

Don’t do errands or chores for a week or at least consolidate them into one or two days and leave whole days free to take classes, try some new sport, paint (a canvas, not a room!), go to a spa, meet friends for lunch, go to a movie marathon. The point is to give yourself downtime and not use the week to catch up on chores or other work.

Take an “inner journey” week and meditate, do yoga, write in a journal everyday, go to a palm reader or astrologer, read self-help books, go on a retreat……all to give you time yo think about yourself and your meaning in life.

If You Have a Month…..

Rent a house or trade your house for one in a different part of the  country or world…..anything to get you out of your known environment. Maybe you have friends or relatives interested in trading or there are many websites where houses for tade and rent are listed. One is www.homeexchanges.com.

Minimize your contact with work…..I did this for a month after empowering my employees and assuring them I would not be a “Monday morning quarterback”. It worked out great and even changed the way I manage. Disconnect. Do not check emails. Give yourself the chance to not get caught up in daily crises or dramas.

Plan your time off so you don’t waste it…….make a list of things you want to do, people you want to see, and places you want to go. Schedule them in like business or doctor meetings BUT also leave some days completely unscheduled and see what shows up. Scheduling downtime is as important as those things you want to do!

These mini-sabbatical experiences will get you ready for longer periods of time off, but also refresh you and help you to start balancing your life.

Get going and have fun!


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Reboot Your Life Blog from the Authors - Living the Lifelong Sabbatical

January 11, 2010 – 8:17 am

Why would we take time off from work for a sabbatical if we didn’t expect it to change our lives in the long run in some way?

We call it “living the lifelong sabbatical” and in our soon-to-be-published book REBOOT YOUR LIFE, we talk about ways we and others have integrated what we learned or did on our time off from work into our everyday lives.

Here are some of the Ten Things You Can Do, discussed in the book,  to keep the benefits of your sabbatical part of your everyday life!

  • Start journaling every morning to capture your thoughts, dreams and concerns. It helps you observe yourself on that “inner journey”.
  • Schedule in every day, every week, every month, time for yourself by putting it in your daytimer or Outlook Calendar just as you would a business or doctor’s appointment.
  • Practice saying “no” to things you really don’t want to do.  Start by saying “I’ll get back to you” instead of “yes” and then get back the next day with an answer.
  • Plan longer weekends and evenings out with friends and family.  Consolidate “chores” on another day.
  • Plan longer vacations, for at least two weeks, and try to make them “mini-sabbaticals”.
  • Pack light, both physically and mentally by doing one thing at a time, carrying less on trips, leaving “baggage” behind.
  • Try to do one small thing new, take one small risk, each week. It can be cooking a new food, walking a new way to work, or trying a new sport. Expand your horizons!

You can change your life for the better and sabbaticals provide you the motivation and venue to start making those changes. Then the next step is integrating that learning on-going in your life.

It is a matter of giving yourself the “gift of time”.


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Happy New Year from the Sabbatical Sisters

January 5, 2010 – 9:51 am
photo by Algis Kemezys

May your year float happily and in sharp focus reflected on peaceful waters
as the sun melts the last puffy cloud.

~Byron Ayanaglu


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Reboot Your Life Blog - TED Talk about Taking Time Off

December 15, 2009 – 8:43 am

Every seven years, designer Stefan Sagmeister closes his New York studio for a yearlong sabbatical to rejuvenate and refresh their creative outlook. He explains the often overlooked value of time off and shows the innovative projects inspired by his sabbaticals.

Stefan Sagmeister on Taking Time Off


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Reboot Your Life Blog - CUNY Seminar

November 13, 2009 – 11:57 am

Sabbatical Sisters Jaye Smith and Rita Foley are set to faciliate a Reboot Your Life Seminar at CUNY Graduate Center November 18th!

Today’s world drives everyone in the workforce harder than ever with less resources and support, while technology keeps us plugged in around the clock.  There is little time to unplug, take a breath, and to do the things that nurture and develop us to be better in all aspects of our lives.  At the same time, record numbers of people are losing their jobs and finding themselves with unexpected time off.  The Reboot Your Life concept was created to address both needs.  During this session, we will discuss the benefits of taking a reboot break, what that means to you, and how you can improve your life and career by taking the time to refresh, reevaluate, and reframe.

Wednesday, November 18th, 2009 6:30-8:00PM
CUNY Graduate Center
Room C-205
365 Fifth Avenue, between 34th & 35th Streets, NYC

RSVP by phone: 212-652-2869


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Reboot Your Life Blog from the Authors - BAI Banking Strategies Magazine Article

October 30, 2009 – 6:00 am

Reboot Your Life Retreats and the “Unexpected Sabbatical” are featured in a new article by Orla O’Sullivan in the BAI Banking Strategies Magazine!  An excerpt:

Regardless of the current state of the job market, unemployed bankers face common issues. One is whether to use the layoff as a kind of sabbatical to plot out the second act of your career or to simply grab the first job that comes along.

“Don’t run to the first job,” advises Santa Fe Group CEO Catherine Allen, who suggests that unemployed bankers instead give themselves “the gift of time” to think about their future. Coincidental with the financial crash last fall, Allen was co-authoring a book on sabbaticals when her publisher saw the need to include discussion of the unplanned sabbatical – being fired.

As part of that research, Allen and her colleagues this year began running periodic career “reboot” retreats around the country. The idea behind these sessions is that spending a weekend reflecting on your options can help clarify what to do next. There are exercises designed to show where your passions lie and who or what blocks you from pursuing them. Funding a career change or time off is also covered.

Annie Searle, for example, embarked on a month-long train journey around the country after being laid off from the failed Washington Mutual Inc. (WaMu) in March. Searle, who had been WaMu’s senior vice president and divisional executive in charge of enterprise risk, attended Allen’s reboot retreat in Santa Fe as part of that trip.

“It confirmed for me that I was on the right track,” Searle says, crediting the retreat with imparting the need for better work/life balance. The privacy and relaxation of her train journey also allowed her to work on the key question: “If I could do whatever I wanted, what would it be?”

She has subsequently started up her own consulting company advising various industries on preparing for disasters, such as, H1N1 influenza (Swine Flu). But she credits the train journey and reboot retreat with giving her enough breathing room to plot out her next move. “Time slows down on a train,” Searle says.

You can read the full article here


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Reboot Your Life Blog from the Authors - Getting Married with the Sisters

October 30, 2009 – 5:59 am

A week ago Friday, Paul Rooker and Cathy Allen, one of the Sabbatical Sisters, got married in the Pecos National Historical Park outside Santa Fe, New Mexico. The Sabbatical Sisters and many other friends shared in the weekend of festivities. Several former attendees of our retreats were there as well.

If it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a sisterhood to create a wedding. The Sisters, and other friends helped pack “welcome bags” for the guests, many of whom were from across the US. They helped set the tables for the family dinner after the wedding and they came out to the Legal Tender Saloon to decorate for the party Saturday night.

The weekend included many aspects of our retreats: a morning at Ten Thousand Waves Spa for massages and hot tubs, journaling in the mornings, visits to the Flea Market and Farmers Market, and dancing!

Friday’s event was outdoors on a mesa and the weather was beautiful. The family and wedding party dinner was at Cathy’s house with drinks on the terraces and doors flung open. Ronald Roybal, Native American flautist, played for both events. Many of the women went to the spa Saturday morning, but some played golf, while others “helped the economy” with their shopping or horseback riding the day before.

Saturday night everyone met up at the Santa Fe Train Depot to take the 100-year-old train to Lamy. For an hour we drank and ate hors d’hoeuvres while traveling through the beautiful Galisteo Basin. There was a train robbery and hostage event, though because the robber had stunning blue eyes, there actually were a number of volunteers to be hostages!   :)

When the train arrived in Lamy, the party was going full swing and moved to the Legal Tender Saloon, a historic saloon, now museum, from the west. Men and women bellied up to the 150-year-old bar for margueritas and beer. The band, UndisKovered, had everyone dancing, especially the grandchildren!  But the “eligible guys” veered for the poker room and played much of the night.

Governor and Mrs. Bill Richardson joined the wedding party and had a great time talking to everyone. And on Sunday, one of the the group, Letitia Chambers, held a brunch, with others, and gave us a great way to send off those going to the airport.


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