As she approached her 30th birthday, Charlotte found herself at a crossroads.
After years in a corporate comfort zone, she took a bold step, a sabbatical, and a commitment to design a future that truly fits.
In this candid interview, Charlotte shares her journey, the motivations, discoveries, and decisions that shaped her new direction.
Motivation and the Sabbatical
Q: What motivated you to pause your career and go on a sabbatical?
I started working quite early, and over the years, I found myself stuck in my comfort zone.
I needed more free time and space to think about my next steps in life and work.
I decided to use the sabbatical to pause and reflect on what I wanted for my future.
Investing in Personal Development
Q: How did you choose how to invest that time and your personal development budget?
After seven years at the same company, I didn’t want just another training.
I was at a transition period and wanted something hands-on and meaningful, a program that would really help me reflect on my next steps.
Designing Your Life stood out because it was a hands-on program based on design thinking.
I immediately felt the format would allow for deep reflection and interactive learning.
Expectations and Experience
Q: What were you hoping to get from the workshop?
I was hoping exactly what I got.
I wanted to assess my situation, analyze what was working and what wasn’t, and then think about solutions.
I was looking for focus on both the problem and the path forward.
I worried the course might get too personal, but it maintained a great balance.
The community and moderator’s guidance made all the difference.
Shifts in Perspective
Q: Can you share a moment from the workshop that really changed your perspective?
The exercise comparing my work and life views was surprisingly powerful.
I realized my perception of work had become much more negative than my outlook on life.
That was a wake-up call.
The group’s entrepreneurial spirit inspired me to think bigger about my own future.
So many people were ready to take brave steps and let go of fears.
Life After the Workshop
Q: What did you do differently after the workshop?
After the workshop, I took concrete action and bought a house in the mountains with my family.
Spending time there has become a real-life experiment in changing my routine.
My sabbatical now feels like a prototype for the life I want to build.
I started using some of the brainstorming techniques from the workshop on my own and began planning new career scenarios, thinking more intentionally about finances and learning.
Who This Is For
Q: Would you recommend this kind of program to others? If so, who?
I think this is for anyone especially those a few years into their career, who feels stuck or wants to reflect deeply on their direction.
It’s the opportunity to take a step back and really consider what comes next.
Taking time to reassess before getting stuck forever is something I wish I’d done sooner.
Final Takeaway
Q: Any last takeaways or advice for others thinking about a similar journey?
The most lasting takeaway was the courage to design a future I actually want.
