The career break & sabbatical guidebook
Taking a Career Break for Dummies.
A comprehensive how-to guide for every stage of your sabbatical or career break — before, during, and after.
Order today and download a free Break Blueprint.
46 Five-Star Amazon Reviews
★★★★★ on Amazon
"This book was a game changer for me." — Dr. Crystal Harris
"It answered all of my questions." — Amazon Customer
"Prescriptive, cathartic, inspiring, and pragmatic" — Lynn
The definitive career break playbook.
Plan it. Take it. Come back stronger.
Let’s unlock those golden handcuffs
Taking a Career Break for Dummies is a practical guide for designing a career break or sabbatical that changes your life.
It walks you through every phase — from deciding if a break is right for you, to building a financial plan and giving notice, to making the most of your time away and re-entering the workforce with confidence.
You’ll learn how to take a life-changing pause for personal growth, skill development, and a more fulfilling life, with real-world examples and actionable tools.
“It was about so much more than just the break. I feel more confident in who I am and know that more is possible for me. The break is a great opportunity to recalibrate your life.”
—Kristen
What they’re saying…
“I was laid off. This book gave me a structure and ideas for how to design my sabbatical and how to frame and communicate it well.”
“This book is exceedingly well thought out and useful. It covers topics you don’t even realize you will need to consider. ”
“Don’t quit your job before reading this! This book covers so many things you’d never think of. Could save you costly, timely, and emotional mistakes! Quick and easy read.”
“This book was invaluable as I planned for my career break. It helped me clearly define a purpose for my time off and confidently discuss it with others who might question my decision”
“This book leaves no stone unturned. It moves far beyond just the ‘how-to’ and delves deep into the often-overlooked emotional and logistical preparation.”
“An amazing resource…even if you’re on the fence on whether to take a career break or not. Just read it. It answered all of my questions.”
You absolutely want this book if:
You're burned out, stuck, or secretly miserable at work — and longing for a change.
You're curious about taking a break and want to consider the idea more closely.
You're seriously considering a break but can't get past the fear of walking away from a steady paycheck.
You're in the planning stage and working through finances, timelines, what to tell your employer and where to even start.
You're about to take the leap and need a clear, grounded plan to calm the anxiety and doubt.
You're currently on a break and want to stop feeling guilty and start making the most of it.
Your break is nearing its end and you want to re-enter the workforce smoothly with confidence, not panic.
What’s inside:
70+ real career break stories from people who've actually done it — across industries, income levels, and life stages.
A step-by-step planning framework covering finances, timelines, giving notice, and what to do with your stuff.
Mindset tools for the hard parts — the identity crisis, the guilt, the financial panic, and the fear that you’ve made a mistake.
Activities and prompts to help you define your purpose, set themes for your break, and build a plan that's structured enough to feel grounded, yet flexible.
Expert guidance on re-entry — practical examples to talk about your break, handle the resume gap, and return to work
A permission slip to dream bigger — this book challenges you to rethink what your life could look like on the other side.
Plus a Special Bonus!
Order today And receive A Free Break Blueprint©
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I wrote this book for you.
Because it’s the roadmap I wish I’d had
I'm Katrina McGhee — Master Certified Coach, career break strategist, and two-time career breaker.
I walked away from a successful career and six-figure salary by choice, traveled the world for 20 months, and landed 5 job offers in 5 weeks when I came back.
Then I did it all again.
Along the way I built a coaching practice that's guided 200+ professionals through successful breaks of their own. This book is the very best of what I've learned — from my own breaks and theirs — all in one place.