In the TED talk The power of time off, Stefan Sagmeister discusses the benefits of taking a sabbatical, both for ourselves and wider society.

Stefan owns and runs a design studio. Dissatisfied with the concept of spending 40 years working before earning a 15-20 year retirement, he decided to mix things up.

Every seven years he closes down his office to take a year-long sabbatical, to focus on projects that otherwise may not happen within his regular working life. It’s also an opportunity for replenishment; to gain new creative inspiration (which will later benefit the studio’s clients) by being in a different environment.

Stefan covers other inspiring sabbatical success stories. His talk has close to three million views.