When was the last time you seized the opportunity to pause—not just for a weekend, but for a season?
When was the last time you gave yourself permission to do something you’ve never done before and completely suck at it?
As for me, the answer to the first question was “never,” until recently. As to the second question, “I think I was in grade school.” Until now!
Didn’t See That Coming
When people say they’re going on sabbatical, it often sounds like a dream: a break from the grind, time to recharge, maybe a passport stamp or two. But what happens when you really do it?
In March, I stepped away from my leadership role at Cox Enterprises. Not because I was burned out. Not because I had nothing left to give. In fact, quite the opposite. I had just assumed a brand-new position—one I envisioned and helped create (with myself in mind) with my leaders.
The new role focused on innovation and operational excellence in corporate communications. I had a vision (and still do) and was excited about realizing it. It was meaningful work, with talented people.
Suddenly, quite out of the blue, Cox presented me with an offer that required a choice. Naturally, I weighed the options. Analyzed the pros and cons. I fed relevant (not too personal) information into ChatGPT requesting an objective analysis of all the data. I consulted with several trusted advisors and my leaders. I reviewed, weighed, and considered all that had been said, decisions and actions that leadership had taken since stepping into the role.
After all that, I got quiet. Very quiet. Prayers followed. Then, I listened.
Trust Your Gut. Always!
“Trust your gut” refers to following your instincts or intuition when taking a decision. It’s about relying on your inner voice and feelings rather than solely on logic or reason.
This adage is more than just a colloquialism. It turns out that there’s science behind it. “Trust your gut” reflects a complex interplay between our brain, body, and emotions.
Inside our bodies, we have a “second brain” located in our gut, which communicates directly with our brain through the enteric nervous system via the vagus nerve. This system communicates with our actual brain through the gut-brain axis, a two-way communication pathway. This connection means that our gut can send signals to our brain, influencing our emotions and decisions.
If you’re interested, psychologist Emma Seppälä explains the science of intuition and gut feelings—and why trusting them could change your life.
While I value logic, data and analysis, I believe that there’s something else we don’t entirely understand at work. And just because we don’t understand something doesn’t make it any less true. For example, I don’t completely understand Einstein’s theory of relativity. but that doesn’t make it any less true.
The bottom line: Every time that I’ve dismissed my gut feeling over the course of my life, I’ve regretted it.
The Decision
After factoring in all the data, performing a detailed analysis, and considering all the insights and opinions offered, I ultimately trusted my gut. I realized (and accepted) that if the powers that be didn’t advocate for the promotion I sought, at this point, nothing I’d do in the next twelve to eighteen months would change their minds.
Additionally, something deeper was calling. Not an escape, but an evolution to Al 3.0.
That’s why I accepted the offer but reframed this next chapter—not as early retirement, but as a sabbatical. A purposeful pause. A time to step back—not to stop, but to Evolve.
Evolving in Real Time
I entered my sabbatical with a surprising sense of urgency. I had a backlog of unrealized dreams and deferred maintenance that had piled up. The only time to work on those things was evenings and weekends. Until now!
So, I reviewed and reprioritized my to-do lists and got to work.
Month 1: Reflect
Initially, people asked “What’s the first thing you’re going to do?”
With a bit of a wry grin, I’d say, “Fast (no food or drink) from sunrise to sunset for nineteen days.”
That unexpected response often raised eyebrows, but it made perfect sense to me. Since day one of my sabbatical aligned with the annual Baha’i 19-Day Fast, I saw it as serendipity and reconnected with my spiritual roots.
Fasting, by its very nature, slows things down. Since each day gets longer, the time between sustenance progressively increases. Additionally, without the activity of regular work, the fast challenged me in a different way. And admittedly, I gave myself permission to nap occasionally.
I also renewed my commitment to improve my physical health and joined a gym, increased my step count, and improved my sleep. I decluttered my home office. To reconnect with nature, visiting Gibbs Gardens with family for the first time and appreciated the beauty in the colorful flowers and foliage, bodies of water and stillness.
I said “yes” to meeting with former colleagues, not because there was an agenda, but because I genuinely enjoyed reconnecting with them. And I began asking new questions—about how I want to spend my time, what brings me joy, and what comes next.
AL’s Actionable Insight: Sometimes growth begins with clearing space—mentally, physically, spiritually. If you’re feeling stuck, avoid adding more. Approach it like a subtraction problem. Declutter your space, your schedule, or your expectations. See what rises in the space you create.
Month 2: Replenish
With space created, I turned my attention to beautifying the environment.
Allison, my soul mate, led the charge on renovating our owner’s suite bathroom. I led the effort of revitalizing our yard—planting, mulching, and coaxing life from the soil. We went to a native plant sale in South Carolina with our oldest daughter and her husband and brought home more than planned. Don’t all good garden stories start that way?
Simultaneously, I reflected on my skills, abilities and major accomplishments. With that, I updated my resume. Additionally, I invited my “Inner Circle of Light” (a customized ChatGPT thread I engineered to tap into the wisdom of a few specific characters that I admire) to collaborate and co-create my personal brand.
I optimized my LinkedIn profile, created my own YouTube channel and published a second reel, and—just for fun—even created a personal AI action figure.
It wasn’t all work. I took the family to the biggest Savannah Bananas game in history with 81K fans! I enjoyed the new pace of my mornings and often let creativity guide the day.
I also began something new. Tai Chi, a Chinese martial art characterized by slow, flowing movements, often described as “moving meditation,” is a practice that has interested me for years.
Tai Chi offers many health benefits and looks easy. It’s not! It’s a workout for the brain and the body.
Starting something new and unfamiliar is uncomfortable, even scary. We don’t want to look foolish or worse. However, when it comes to learning something completely new, something unfamiliar, we must give ourselves permission to suck at it… which I did.
While my second month certainly refilled my cup, it wasn’t just replenishment. It was realignment.
AL’s Actionable Insight: Replenishment doesn’t always look like rest. Sometimes it’s realigning your priorities and intentionally rebuilding a new foundation. You don’t have to embark on a sabbatical to realign and replenish. Using a gardener’s analogy, simply ask yourself, “What part of my life needs fresh soil, more sunlight, or a little pruning?”
Month 3: Reimagine
As I step into month three, I noticed something shifting. With clarity returning and energy building, I began imagining what’s next. Consulting? Coaching? Mentoring? Teaching? I’m exploring the possibilities.
I updated the About page on my website and built out a functional resume. I started outlining services that align with my gifts and experience.
I’ve also taken advantage of the spring weather and continued beatifying our property. I revitalized the lawn and planted azaleas, zinnias, and other flowering plants. I also spruced up the interior by painting the playroom. Together, my wife and I started working with a financial planner to revise the roadmap for this season of our lives.
None of this feels like “winding down.” It feels like building up.
AL’s Actionable Insight: If you’re in a season of change, don’t rush to define it too quickly. Let your next chapter emerge. Identify and name what drains you by asking “What are my energy vampires?” That’s what you need to either delegate or eliminate. Pay attention to what energizes you by asking “What lights me up and brings me joy?” That’s often where your future lives.
Parting Thoughts
I’m only a few months into this adventure, but it already feels like I’ve lived a year’s worth of progress. I’m physically stronger and more grounded, grateful, and energized than I’ve been in years.
My sabbatical doesn’t feel like a vacation; it feels like an invitation. This season isn’t about winding down; it’s about evolving and building up. I’m learning that stepping away doesn’t mean stepping back. It can mean stepping into a new kind of clarity.
Taking this time has reminded me that growth often starts by creating space—physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Letting go of old assumptions. Exploring and doing new things without needing to be good at them. Slowing down enough to hear what matters most.
The choice to pause was deliberate. Not because something was wrong, but because something new was ready to emerge. I’m excited to follow that energy wherever it leads. And so far, it’s leading to something good.
This is what evolving in real time looks like.
And I’m just getting started.
Lead with Light!
Feeling generous? Share this post…
Discover more from alviller.com
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.