Want To Get Ahead? Sam Altman Says You Should Take a Break

In partnership with

When you’re between jobs or have the rare opportunity to take extended time off, the instinct might be to quickly find your next role. However, Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, offers an alternative perspective: don’t rush. Take a year to explore, learn, and invest in yourself. Reflecting on his own experience, Altman says that the year he spent studying and expanding his knowledge after selling his first startup was one of the best decisions he ever made. Here’s how taking time for exploration can shape your career.

Embrace the Opportunity to Learn

When Altman took a year off, he didn’t focus on developing new business ventures. Instead, he immersed himself in diverse fields, satisfying his curiosity without pressure to apply the knowledge immediately.

How to Embrace Learning Like Altman:

• Study widely: Dive into fields you’re interested in, even if they don’t seem directly connected to your career. Altman explored everything from nuclear engineering to synthetic biology, expanding his horizons.

• Invest in non-traditional learning: Use resources like textbooks, online courses, or hands-on experiences to deepen your understanding in various areas. The knowledge you gain could inspire your next big idea.

Example: Altman’s exploration into AI, long before it was a central focus in his career, later became foundational when he took the helm at OpenAI. Learning broadly helped him anticipate future trends.

Pursue Curiosity Without Immediate Expectations

One of Altman’s key insights is that not everything you learn will have an immediate payoff—and that’s okay. Some of the most impactful ideas are those that develop over time, connecting in unexpected ways.

How to Plant Seeds for Future Breakthroughs:

• Dive into curiosity: When a topic excites you, pursue it wholeheartedly. Trust that seemingly unrelated fields can connect in unexpected ways.

• Give ideas time to grow: Allow yourself to think long-term and resist the urge to tie every learning experience to an immediate outcome. Ideas often need time to marinate before they lead to breakthroughs.

Example: The broad array of subjects Altman explored during his gap year has influenced his approach to AI, leadership, and innovation. Many of his insights were informed by disciplines outside technology, giving him a unique perspective.

Stay up-to-date with AI

The Rundown is the most trusted AI newsletter in the world, with 1,000,000+ readers and exclusive interviews with AI leaders like Mark Zuckerberg, Demis Hassibis, Mustafa Suleyman, and more.

Their expert research team spends all day learning what’s new in AI and talking with industry experts, then distills the most important developments into one free email every morning.

Plus, complete the quiz after signing up and they’ll recommend the best AI tools, guides, and courses – tailored to your needs.

Sign up to start learning.

Build a Strong Foundation for Future Success

Taking a year to explore is more than just a break; it’s an investment in your personal and professional growth. Altman’s experience is proof that dedicating time to learning can provide a lasting advantage.

How to Position Yourself for Long-Term Success:

• Trust in the journey: You may not see the benefits of your learning right away, but trust that these experiences will shape you and create unexpected opportunities.

• Apply knowledge gradually: As you return to work or embark on new projects, draw from your expanded knowledge base. Each insight adds value to your skill set and strengthens your ability to innovate.

Example: Altman’s diverse knowledge enables him to approach challenges from multiple angles, an invaluable skill as a leader in tech. His broad foundation of learning and curiosity allows him to connect ideas across fields, driving impactful innovation.

Key Takeaways

1. Take time to explore: If you’re in a career transition, consider using this period to learn something new. The payoff may not be immediate, but the knowledge you gain will be invaluable.

2. Follow your curiosity: Pursue topics that excite you, even if they seem unrelated to your career path. Future breakthroughs often stem from unexpected connections.

3. Invest in your growth: Think of exploration as a long-term investment in your future success.

Altman’s advice is a powerful reminder that sometimes, the best career investment is in your own curiosity and growth. If you find yourself between roles, consider taking time to explore—you may just discover ideas that shape the rest of your career.