Episode 34 - Burn the Bridge: The Mindset Shift You Need to Finally Take Your Career Break

In this episode of Taking a Career Break with Katrina McGhee, we dive into one of the most powerful mindset shifts you can make when you’re dreaming about – but not actually taking – your career break. It’s called “burning the bridge,” and it’s about removing the escape hatch that lets you walk away when things feel hard, uncertain, or uncomfortable. Katrina shares the personal story of how this philosophy helped her push through imposter syndrome and write her book Taking a Career Break for Dummies, one of the most challenging projects of her professional life.

You’ll hear how her initial doubts nearly led her to quit, the turning point conversation that changed everything, and the mental and practical steps she took to commit fully. Along the way, we explore why so many aspiring sabbatical-takers delay their plans for months or even years, how fear of failure and the discomfort of “being seen trying” holds people back, and why a bold, no-turning-back decision can be the key to finally making your break happen.

James and Katrina also talk about the difference between easy answers that keep you safe and the harder choices that move you toward your goals. They share examples from their own lives where burning the bridge – whether by giving notice at work, booking a non-refundable ticket, or investing in personal growth – created the accountability needed to follow through. This episode will inspire you to reflect on the resources you already have, the future you want to create, and the one decisive step you can take right now to commit fully to your dream. If you’ve been stuck on the fence, this conversation is your call to set the match, light the fire, and cross into the life you’ve been imagining.

Timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to the episode and introduction to “burn the bridge”
01:00 – Katrina sets the stage: a personal meets life-advice episode
01:12 – The book deal that sparked the lesson
02:23 – Imposter syndrome and overwhelm in writing the first chapter
04:50 – Considering quitting before the book even began
06:20 – The pivotal advice: you have to burn the bridge
08:05 – The sample chapter feedback that changed everything
09:30 – Committing 100% and removing the option to quit
10:46 – James on failure, trying hard things, and public perception
11:23 – The discomfort of being seen trying
12:16 – Why passion, willpower, and consistency matter
13:15 – How delaying your break is often fear in disguise
14:50 – Practical ways to burn the bridge for your career break
16:48 – James on “the easy answer is no” vs. the hard choice to commit
18:16 – Katrina on mental shifts, accountability, and personal transformation
20:10 – The closing quote: burn the bridge and learn to fly
20:25 – Final reflections and wrap-up
20:54 – Invitation to join BreakSpace

Listen now and reclaim control of your career break journey.

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If you have any questions, please feel free to get in touch today to start your journey!

BreakSpace - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.gobreakspace.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Schedule a call with Katrina - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://kmcgheecoaching.as.me/schedule.php⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Order Katrina's book - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.kmcgheecoaching.com/book⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Email - takingacareerbreakwithkatrina@gmail.com