Welcome to Empower Circles. Edition 1: Power of Purpose
My Journey from Taking a Sabbatical to Unlocking My Superpowers
Lately, our world has been in flux — a powerful reminder that transformation often starts in the midst of chaos.
More and more of us are finding ourselves at a crossroads, choosing — or being called — to press “Reset.”
I’ve taken multiple sabbaticals throughout my career. Some were planned, others were unexpected. Along the way, I’ve gathered a few key frameworks that made each one more intentional and fulfilling.
So if you’re navigating a transition — or feel one coming — why not do it with clarity, creativity, and a little bit of style?
Let’s design our reset, not just survive it.
📷: Me on my sabbatical in the Blue Ridge Mountains at the Art of Living retreat center where I volunteered, feeling so inspired and grateful.
My Journey from Taking a Sabbatical to Unlocking My Superpowers
🚐 In 2016, I experienced career burnout and took a sabbatical.
It turned out to be the best thing for my career.
In 2016, I worked in product management and community marketing for global tech companies. It was a promising career path. I loved storytelling and truly enjoyed the opportunity to do that for global brands.
Yet, 6 years into my career, I experienced burnout.
As I reflected on my Ikigai — that between what I love, what I am good at, what I can be paid for, and what the world needs, it became evident to me: I was ‘merely’ pursuing a profession, not yet a vocation, nor my life’s mission.
That spring, I asked my manager for a sabbatical. During this ‘adult gap year’, I took computer science at Stanford University and learned to code at Fullstack Academy in New York.
Right after, I arrived at a retreat center in Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina, where I learned to meditate. I loved the fresh air in the mountains so much that I volunteered there for 2 months.⛰️
I’d take a long stroll in the mountains every morning. The contemplative time in nature gave me the space to reflect on what’s truly important in my life:
❓Should I return to the corporate world after this sabbatical?
❓What am I truly passionate about?
This was my chance to follow my heart and intuition, and do what truly lights me up.
It dawned on me:
💡 I loved working in education. My mother worked at a French school in Vietnam for over 10 years. Before college, I also taught there for a year.
💡 I loved working with startups. Living in New York and Silicon Valley, I found myself drawn to entrepreneur and founder friends.
Toward the end of that summer, I traveled all over the US and Europe. I got so inspired by the places I went and the people I met.
In August 2016, I went to Burning Man for the second time. I bumped into a good friend, who was joining Techstars as a founder. The program was looking for associates & mentors.
During Techstars, I found an opportunity at an EdTech startup, whose mission fully aligns with mine.💜
Thanks to the burnout and sabbatical, and with massive luck, I started living my 'Ikigai': coaching and mentoring leaders and entrepreneurs.
📷: The wonderful community of founders and entrepreneurs at Techstars in New York
Today, as a coach, host, and storyteller, and founder of 10 Nexus Global, I am on a mission to build a global school and community of leaders, entrepreneurs, technologists, innovators, and creators committed to leveling up together — at work, and in life.
Our mission: to facilitate educational programs, edutainment events, and intentional spaces for our community to connect, learn, and grow together, and share stories of our global community that inspire, uplift, and empower.
📷 : Today, I am fully living my Ikigai and Purpose as a host, coach, and edutainer, building our global school and community, 10 Nexus.
❓What about you, have you found your ‘reason for being’? How did you get there?
Follow your passion and walk that road where there might not be a path yet, because that might reveal the best path toward our reason for being — our ‘Ikigai’.
#Ikigai #careersabbatical #purpose #reset
How to Begin Unlocking Your Purpose
Here are a few frameworks I’ve used myself during the sabbatical, and with leaders and entrepreneurs to help them gain clarity on their purpose:
1. The 3 P’s of Purpose
Pain: What challenge have you overcome that you can now help others through?
Passion: What lights you up, even when it’s hard?
Power: What are your natural gifts and strengths?
Where these 3 intersect lies your unique superpower.
2. The Ikigai Framework
Ask yourself:
Passion: What do you love so much you’d do it for free?
Talent: What comes naturally to you?
Skills: What abilities have you developed through training and experience?
Values: What matters more to you than money? Why?
Start journaling your answers. Patterns will emerge. Clarity follows curiosity.
3. The Purpose Prompt
Try finishing this sentence:
“The world needs more ____________, and I’m here to ____________.”
(Feel free to comment or DM me yours — I love reading them.)
Your Turn: Try This Mini-Exercise
Go somewhere inspiring, ideally in nature. You can also go to a park in your city. Set a timer for 10-15 minutes. No filters. Answer:
“If I could design a career or life that felt aligned with my purpose, what would it look like?”
Write without judgment. Your truth is in there.
Welcome to Empower Circles, a space where we connect with and empower one another to design purposeful careers and our dream lives.
Together, we’ll craft careers that reflect our deepest values and passions, leverage our skills and talents, all while making a dent in the universe, and having a ton of fun along the way.
In each newsletter and podcast, we’ll dive into the elements that make this journey possible:
The power of designing our dream career: tap into that Zone of Genius at the intersection of our passion, skills, values, and impact as we pursue our north star and purpose.
The power of a personal brand that articulates our values, attracts the right opportunities, and empowers us to step into our true potential. Building strong personal brands is key to purposeful careers.
The power of voice — discover and embrace our authentic voice. Learn to use this powerful tool to make a meaningful impact and inspire those around us.
The power of self-awareness — by understanding ourselves better, we become more effective leaders, communicators, and partners, making every interaction more intentional and impactful.
The power of a personal board of advisors — a strong, supportive community is critical to building our dream business, community, or audience. Whether it’s through mentorship, collaboration, or accountability, level up with a trusted community who got our back.
Final Thought: Purpose is a Practice
Finding purpose and unlocking our superpowers isn’t a one-time event. It’s a lifelong unfolding. And it often starts with a whisper — a nudge to pause, reflect, or redirect.
If you’re in that season now, trust it. Follow the breadcrumbs. And know that you’re in great company.
Welcome to Empower Circles. We’re just getting started.
With purpose and power,
Henry V Bao
Coach, Host, Fellow Seeker
Follow our journey right here on Substack, my other socials (Instagram, YouTube) and join in on the conversation. Newsletter and podcast are released every Thursday and Friday.