I took a sabbatical year from mid-2002 to mid-2003. I had started my career in the corporate world and through 15 years achieved some success. But that success took me to a place that looked different than I expected.
So I began a sorting-out process that eventually led me to take a year off...well, a year out of the corporate world anyway.
A number of people, especially women, called me during that time with questions: How did you decide to do it? Why? Do you really think you can entirely change industries after 15 years? Where do you find courage to make such a change?
I wrote my thoughts about many of these questions -- as well as about how I learned to deal with change -- in a series of essays that I collected into this book. I titled it ReArchitecting to reflect my conclusion that I needed to review the foundation and structure of my choices to be sure that I was living a life that was authentic to me and communicated my beliefs clearly to others.
What I want most to happen with this book (and my blog, and now my new career choice) is to inspire others to consider their lives from several perspectives and encourage them to explore and use their own voices with others. Try something new. Consider an option not previously thought possible. And align what you do and say with what you really believe...not just complacently play the game.
It's not like I plan to get rich with this little collection. My great hope is that people will find something greater in themselves -- courage, a sense of not being alone in their stress, a new idea, support for an idea they already have -- by using this quick-reading book as a springboard to talk with others, seek role models, and practice using their own voices.
Note: The book can be purchased via my business web site at jallé Leadership Communications & Learning.
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