Big Time Off: The Transformative Power of Sabbaticals and How to Take One

Summary

A transformative, research-backed guide to elevating both your personal well-being and your career through purposeful time off, from Harvard Business School Senior Lecturer and the Sabbatical Project founder DJ DiDonna.

We’ve built a world of work optimized for output—yet the most meaningful breakthroughs, decisions, and reinventions rarely happen at a desk. In Big Time Off, leading sabbatical researcher and founder of the Sabbatical Project DJ DiDonna explores a simple, radical idea: stepping away from your job may be the most important work of your life.

Packed with original research and compelling stories of sabbatical-takers from all walks of life—from teachers and nonprofit leaders to startup founders and Fortune 500 employees—Big Time Off gives you the inspiration, permission, and practical guidance to craft your own sabbatical. You’ll learn:

- When to take a sabbatical—and what negative, positive, and neutral catalysts to look out for.

- How sabbaticals can help you navigate identity shifts, forge a new career path, feel human again, and live a more authentic life.

- What the three sabbatical archetypes are—the explorer, the seeker, and the achiever—and best sabbatical practices for each type.

- How anyone—no matter their circumstances—can experience a sabbatical through strategic planning.

Sabbaticals help us avoid sleepwalking through the biggest events of our lives by giving us time to be present in moments of difficulty, celebration, and transition. For anyone stuck, searching, or simply curious about another way to live and work, Big Time Off is your must-have guide to creating a richer, more intentional life.