Here is the way I see term limits working. Say I, NCC-1701, want to run for a position on The Hill. I win. I have, say, 12 years maximum and the clock is running. That means I could have two Senate terms, six House terms or any combination thereof. After my 12 years THAT’S IT! I can’t lay off a cycle and run for another 12 years max. No, my time is up. Whatever I had wanted to do in that time is over. Go home and find another job.
Fine. But you still need a constitutional amendment to make it happen. The Supreme Court ruled on that about 25 years ago.
And prohibit any term-limited member of Congress from taking any work, even ceremonial, with any entity, firm, lobbying concern having business before Congress, for life.