Agreed. However, if you're working for someone else, in order to do that, you need to have shown value beyond the time you're taking off. So if you take a year

Agreed. However, if you're working for someone else, in order to do that, you need to have shown value beyond the time you're taking off. So if you take a year, it's making sure beforehand you've made your company the difference in your salary. (Assuming they're paying you.) If they're not paying you, it's just a matter of how much money you've saved up.