Customer Reviews

Clarity Quest: How to Take a Sabbatical Without Taking More Than a Week Off

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Like many of the people profiled in Clarity Quest, I had taken sabbaticals (from a week to a year and a half), trying to discover what I really wanted to do and be. Each time I found myself catching up on sleep (from stress and burnout) for the majority of the time, and then filling my time with activities to avoid the panic of still not knowing how to discover my true passion in life. In the first few pages of Clarity Quest, I found it that I was not alone - and I found a plan to clarify what I want, focus on discovering my passion in life, and achieving it all. You can have love, wealth, and a great career on your own terms. Just follow the eight week plan outlined in this book - it will guide you every step of the way.

I came across this book by sheer coincidence 6.5 weeks before I was about to leave a job; the company was closing. I had no idea what to do next, hadn't planned ahead financially, and picking up the book seemed like providence. I only hoped that it was realistic enough to follow.

I was truly impressed at the plain language of the book; most self-help books seem to need to coin their own phrases and have you learn their 'lingo'. Pam's book was written as if she's speaking to you, and she basically gives you homework assignments and steps to follow which slowly reveal the answers you are looking for.

I did the finance chapter first; it was weighing on my mind the most, and then followed the steps as closely as possible. All of the goals are attainable, they don't make you feel like you're displacing other important aspects of your life.

After 6 weeks, I was ready to redirect myself toward identifying what I wanted. My sabbatical was nine days in the Florida Keys; I rented a truck for $125, took a tent, and camped out each night under the stars, with my journal and sketchbook nearby. I don't think I spent over $500 for the whole trip. I made friends with another person also trying to find their way, and we both worked through some of the 'what to do next' scenarios.

I came back, packed my things, moved to a new city, and scored a new job which paid well. I was relaxed and able to concentrate on the important decisions during this process.

I heartily recommend this book to anyone who is feeling a bit unplugged and who needs a gentle hand in getting closer to their goals. Sometimes you need a push, and Pam does it well.

This is a mood book: one really needs to create an atmosphere and space in one's life to seriously contemplate life changes. The author proposes a seven week program, called base camp training, to get ready for a week of thought exercises, which she refers to as a sabbatical. The weekly themes include such subjects as getting a good night's sleep and relaxing, organizing personal finances, optimization of health and exercise, simplification of one's life, and letting go negativities and increasing love in one's life. Common to all of the weeks is a back to nature recommendation: taking walks on nature trails, watching sunrises and sunsets, etc. The trainee is even advised to take a refreshing shower every morning as well as bubble baths.

All of this preparation is for taking a week-long trip to a quiet spot to complete any number of thought and writing exercises to determine who one is and where he or she should or wants to go with their life. It is a "journey of self-discovery." One is supposed to get in touch with personal goals, talents, motivations, likes and dislikes, and values. At the end, a plan of action is required.

The book is pretty basic. It is a comfort book with a definite slant toward women. Like most books of this genre, it is very short on practicalities. It is one thing to understand one's self, but it is an entirely different matter to translate that into gainful employment. And then there are issues of finances and age, to name two. If one has never read a book like this, it may be helpful. But otherwise, don't expect any unique insights.

How to take a Sabbatical...sounds interesting. And it sure is. Pam Ammondson really got to the point on helping everybody to live a better life. No false promises or just wishes. She's given wit and the good thing is that she shares it with us. And does so by combining dreamer's ideas with focused advices. What else could be better?