Time Out As An Opportunity

There is opportunity in every crisis. Society is in turmoil. Not only politically and economically, but also on a personal level, the demands being made on us are very different than was the case just a few years ago. In a world of changes with very few constants, time has become one of our most precious commodities. Yet most people feel they have little or no control of their (working) lives – with hardly any scope for independent decision-making, the autonomy we all desire is something only enjoyed by precious few. The time has come to tackle this predicament head-on. This requires a radical shift in perspective.

The perfect work-life balance – a pipe dream? For more and more of us, far from being mere luxury, it is becoming a physical and psychological necessity. Taking a deliberate time-out can achieve the goal of developing and nurturing each individual’s motivation and productivity, as well maintaining their levels of personal happiness.


Carsten Alex has ventured further down this road than most people. Having held a variety of managerial positions, including many years as an executive at Daimler AG, he has finally found his true calling – after taking his own sabbatical leave. Since 2006 he has worked as an independent consultant and coach.