[cl42]

After my first startup, my CEO coach recommended I take a "transition period" that lasts as long as I want, to reflect, internalize the learnings from my experiences, and not rush into whatever I wanted to do next. I also used a book called "Transitions"[1] to help me with my reflection.

I took about a year off, in the end... I began by reading and running... I ran a few ultramarathons, which require 15-25 hours of training per week. I read a lot, particularly intense and complex books that require you to invest the time to actually read them and reflect on them.

In the second half of the year, I ended up traveling quite a bit -- Norway, China, Malaysia, Peru... Mainly to hike, but in every city I tried to set up meetings with startups and businesses to learn what the culture was like around work.

I think I learned more that year than in any year of my life.

[1] https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004ZY23TS/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?...

[captmorrel]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing. I have to ask, how did it feel to come back to the grind after that period (if you did)?

[cl42]

Yes, I did... It's a great question.

I think I'm a much better leader, negotiator, and advisor now. By taking the year to think about what I did right and wrong over the prior 7 years, I was able to synthesize the lessons learned and make them stick.

As a result, I'm (a) much more picky with the projects/jobs/etc. that I do, and (b) am significantly more intentional with my time. As a result, I work on fewer things but get paid more, and the things I work on are significantly more rewarding.

I should note, however, that I've always been a workoholic and enjoy working -- plus, my wife is the same -- so it makes it easier to get back into the grind.