213: How You Can and Why You Should Consider a Sabbatical Soon

With Tencent executive and author, Ben Feder

by

I believe this episode may represent the first time I’ve ever featured a memoir on the podcast.

There are so many valuable lessons contained in this book that the decision to feature it was an easy one.

ben feder

That book is written by the former CEO of Take-Two Interactive (now with Tencent). If that company sounds familiar, it may be because you or someone you know is a lover of video games. Or, it may be because my guest today helped take it from just a measly $1 Billion company to a $13 Billion one.

His name is Ben Feder, and his new book is called Take Off Your Shoes: One Man’s Journey from the Boardroom, to Bali, and Back.

In it, we follow along as Ben makes the difficult decision to step away from a hugely successful and lucrative career to go on a one-year sabbatical with his wife and children to Indonesia.

Ben says he’s not one to dole out advice, but you won’t be able to read this book without learning a great deal about what it takes to pull off taking a sabbatical. You’ll also appreciate better why you should seriously consider it.

Ready? Let’s go!

Join in on our chat below

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In today’s episode, I ask Ben to share:

  • His struggles with work-life balance while CEO at his previous company
  • What it was like for his family to pick up and move to Bali for the better part of a year
  • His desire to find “the peace of meditation, without the weirdness.”
  • …and plenty more!

Ben’s Latest Book

You can order a copy of Take Off Your Shoes: One Man’s Journey from the Boardroom, to Bali, and Back right now!

Ben in Action

Books Ben Recommends

Joyful Wisdom: Embracing Change and Finding Freedom by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche

Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck

The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science by Norman Doidge

Check Out These Resources

Visit Ben’s website for more about him and his work.

Grab a copy of Ben‘s book now.

Find out more about hiring Ben to speak to your group.

Connect with Ben on Twitter and LinkedIn.

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Learn about one man's journey to take back his life from corporate with a year-long sabbatical in Bali. - Jeff Brown
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Finally, thanks for listening and remember, “Leaders read and readers lead.”

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Categories: Career, Personal Development, Podcast
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