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Set impenetrable boundaries to truly disconnect during a sabbatical; even small consulting gigs disrupt the psychological break.
DJ DiDonna advises cutting all work ties during a sabbatical, including small consulting gigs, because they expand to fill the time and prevent true disconnection. ✦ AI generated
DJ DiDonna · Lenny's Newsletter · 2026-07-21 · original ↗
I'm a purist when it comes to not working while on sabbatical, particularly when it comes in the form of consulting gigs related to your routine job. No matter how attractive the opportunity seems—no matter how little time it claims to take up—these projects tend to expand to fill the time available. A two-hour call once per week has a surprising amount of disruptive force, preventing spontaneity, requiring connectivity, and psychologically tying you to a past version of yourself.
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