DJ DiDonna: Navigating sabbaticals and career breaks

After experiencing the life-changing power of his own sabbatical, DJ DiDonna founded The Sabbatical Project to normalize the practice of sabbaticals outside academia.

The end of the year is a reflective time when we tend to think about the trajectory of our lives and careers. Maybe you’re thinking about making a big change or taking some real time off in the next year or two.

If you or someone around you is considering that, this conversation will help you think about it.

Listen now on Apple, Spotify, Google, Overcast, or Youtube.

I spent most of 2022 on sabbatical and I can tell you firsthand that DJ’s research was very useful in making sense of what is a very ambiguous process. So I’m grateful for the chance to introduce him to you now, and I hope this supports your process as you close out the year.

If there’s one thing I’ve really grokked this year, it’s that your identity can evolve along with your career, but does not need to be bound by your career.

Please enjoy, DJ DiDonna!

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Links & resources mentioned

• Send episode feedback on Twitter @askotzko , or via email

• DJ DiDonna: LinkedIn

• The Sabbatical Project

• Related episodes

  • #59 Kenny Borg: Identity transformation and embodying fulfillment

• People & orgs

  • The Sabbatical Project

• Books

  • Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life

  • Transitions: Making Sense of Life's Changes

  • Pivot: The Only Move That Matters Is Your Next One

  • How Will You Measure Your Life?

  • The Lies of Locke Lamora

• Other resources mentioned

  • TED talk: Stefan Sagmeister: The power of time off

  • DJ’s TEDx talk: Sabbaticals: Time [off] well spent

  • LinkedIn career break feature

  • Research: “The three meanings of meaning in life: Distinguishing coherence, purpose, and significance”

  • Exercise: 2022 Reflection + 2023 Goal Setting