DJ DiDonna, a researcher and senior lecturer at Harvard Business School, is advocating for sabbaticals, arguing that extended breaks can be beneficial for career development and personal fulfillment. His new book, "Big Time Off: The Transformative Power of Sabbaticals and How to Take One," explores the idea that taking time away from work, even for a modest period, can lead to significant positive changes.
DiDonna's own experience in 2016, when he co-founded the fintech company EFL Global, highlighted a personal imbalance. A demanding work schedule, which included traveling for business at short notice, led him to re-evaluate his priorities. This realization prompted him to plan a five-month sabbatical.
From January to May 2017, DiDonna stepped away from his company. During this time, he traveled to New Zealand, completed a 900-mile Buddhist pilgrimage across Japan, and cared for his mother during her recovery from illness. He also engaged in personal projects, such as remodeling his kitchen and learning new skills. DiDonna described this period as "transformational," leading him to realize he did not want to return to his previous work-life dynamic and sparking further interest in the concept of sabbaticals.
Following his sabbatical, DiDonna pursued academic research on the topic, eventually establishing The Sabbatical Project at the University of Notre Dame. This initiative, which has gathered stories from 10,000 individuals, advocates for the benefits of sabbaticals and has collected accounts from numerous successful sabbatical takers.
DiDonna emphasizes that sabbaticals, ideally lasting three to six months, offer opportunities to pursue hobbies, reconnect with passions, spend time with loved ones, explore nature, or work on personal projects. He believes these activities, while not always directly job-related, contribute to a more fulfilling life.
While acknowledging that sabbaticals can be financially and logistically challenging, DiDonna suggests that they do not need to be an unattainable luxury. He notes that people from various professions, including teachers and nonprofit employees, have made sabbaticals a long-term goal by saving and planning meticulously. He recommends planning up to two or three years in advance, communicating with employers, and organizing finances, similar to planning for retirement.
The book also features case studies of individuals who have benefited from sabbaticals. NPR journalist Aarti Shahani took a work-sanctioned break to write a memoir, which led her to establish a nonprofit assisting immigrant families. Renuka Sastri, after two decades in digital strategy, used her sabbatical to travel, take classes, and volunteer, ultimately transitioning to a career in local government.
DiDonna concludes "Big Time Off" with the message that "The time of your life awaits," encouraging readers to consider the potential of extended breaks for personal and professional renewal.