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Based on first-of-its-kind research on non-academics who have taken extended leave from routine work, DiDonna shares how his findings can help you live a better life.
Right after Harvard Business School, DJ DiDonna launched a startup. And then for 7 busy years he traveled the world, supporting small businesses in emerging markets. DJ’s company was successful, but he felt burned out. So he took a break from work, doing things unrelated to his job, like taking a walking pilgrimage in Japan. DJ’s time off was life changing, and he became intrigued by the transformative power of sabbaticals. Now he’s immersed in the Sabbatical Project, researching how long breaks can change lives and improve our work culture.
DJ’s journey to taking a sabbatical goes directly through his experience as an entrepreneur and the struggles he had with burn out. We explore the benefits of a sabbatical and some surprising data on who takes them. He is also working on a book from the findings of the research collected from the Sabbatical Project, an organization that’s looking to champion the idea that sabbaticals add a lot of value to both people and organizations.
DJ DiDonna is the founder of The Sabbatical Project and a Research Fellow @ Well Being at Work through the University of Notre Dame.
After founding and (quite successfully) growing his first startup, DJ decided to take a sabbatical. Since then, he has devoted his time to researching sabbaticals and how dedicated time off can support our professional and personal growth.
Entrepreneur DJ DiDonna (MBA 2010) says sabbaticals brought critical perspective to his personal and professional life. Now he’s working with researchers to show how extended time away from the daily grind can pay off for workers and employers
