Last Updated on August 18, 2026 by Bethany Wilinski
Sabbatical planning starts with identifying your sabbatical purpose
Academics often think that sabbatical planning starts with a sabbatical application, but in my work with clients, we start by identifying the purpose of their sabbatical. This may seem odd, but it’s a critical step to ensuring you get what you want and need from your sabbatical.
It’s easy to dive right into logistics when planning a sabbatical—funding, location, scheduling, goals, etc. Logistics are important, but the first step in planning a sabbatical (if you want to have one that is truly transformative) is to ask yourself: What is this sabbatical for? Where am I now, and where do I want to be by the end of my time away? How do I want to feel during and at the end of my sabbatical? How will I know my sabbatical was a success?
Your responses to these questions form the purpose and priorities for your sabbatical, and your sabbatical purpose will shape all subsequent decisions and provide a guiding framework to structure your time.
Sometimes it feels like the only possible purpose for a sabbatical is to catch up on work or get as much research and writing done as possible. While getting research and writing done are great goals for sabbatical, your sabbatical purpose doesn’t have to be limited to work.
Examples of what your sabbatical purpose might be
Rest and rejuvenation: After earning tenure and a sabbatical, so many academics are completely burned out. A sabbatical can be about prioritizing rest, wellness, and self-care.
Reconnecting with your non-academic identity: Sabbatical is a great time to pursue a hobby or something that brings you joy and is not connected to your academic work. It’s important to remember that you’re more than your research, and sabbatical is an ideal opportunity to do the things you enjoy.
Identifying the next steps in your career: Sometimes, the best way to spend a sabbatical is not by continuing to engage in your current research, but to take a step back and re-evaluate your scholarly direction. Are the projects you’re working on still relevant to your research interests? Is there a new direction you want to pursue post-sabbatical? Where do you want to be in this next phase of your career?
Travel and adventure: Sabbaticals are obviously a great time to travel and possibly live in a new place, whether it’s related to your research or not.
Reconnecting with important people in your life: Some of my clients prioritize spending focused and unhurried time with family and friends during sabbatical. Sabbatical is a great time for coffee dates, long lunches, and adventures!
Research and Writing: Although it’s not the only possible purpose, a sabbatical is a great time to work on a book proposal, book, grant proposal, articles, or to do fieldwork with fewer daily interruptions.
Although our institutions would like us to believe that productivity is the purpose of sabbatical, your sabbatical is first and foremost an investment in yourself. By starting with a well-defined purpose, you can transform your time away into a deeply enriching and productive experience that leaves a lasting impact on your career and well-being.
Looking for more?
If you’re wondering how to figure out what to prioritize during your sabbatical, click here to download my free Sabbatical Clarity Toolkit!
To listen to a podcast episode about how my client, Beth, identified her sabbatical purpose, click here! And of course, if you’d like to learn more about working with me to plan your sabbatical, you can book a Free Consultation here.