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Hello friends of “Travel Hi Five!” I hope it is starting to get cooler wherever you happen to be at the time of reading this month’s musings about owning or working in the travel industry. Isn’t it interesting that a simple thing like the weather outside can be something we do not pay attention to in any given moment on a regular day? Now if it is a vacation day then it is sometimes ALL we can think about, right? “I have dreamt of being on this beach for months, it better not rain!” In the case of my family, it is just a given that if we are going to Animal Kingdom at Disney World it is going to rain so just plan for it.

Let us admit it, there is nothing like travel to make us plan. I mean we must know how to pack in response to the potential weather. I am using a simple idea like the weather outside as an example of how we sometimes plan for a future in business that may or may not happen. Being busy with plans can distract us from what is right in front of us. This is when we packed the rain gear for our trip then got in our car to leave the garage and run an errand only to realize we did not plan for the rain to happen right where we live. This article serves as a reminder that in all our goal setting and planning we can often forget to live in the moment of the here and now.

It is my sincere hope that these simple concepts help many of you avoid some common pitfalls of being in constant pursuit of more business.

The Constant Pursuit of More: A Recipe for Burnout

Entrepreneurs are known for their relentless drive and ambition. While these qualities can propel you forward, they can also become a double-edged sword. Continuously chasing the next big thing can lead to burnout, as you are constantly pushing yourself to the limit. In the world of travel the “next big thing” can take many forms: a new group you are trying to build, transitioning into luxury brands, keeping up with the next big cruise ship reveal and on and on. This can result in physical and mental exhaustion, decreased productivity and strained relationships.

Ever been up at 1 a.m. and convinced yourself that it was for good reason? A study published in the Harvard Business Review found that burnout is a common issue among entrepreneurs due to their high-pressure work environments. That pressure is often self-inflicted based on our own personal beliefs that may not be based in reality. By shifting your focus to the present and appreciating what you have already achieved, you can reduce the risk of burnout and maintain a healthier work-life harmony. Notice I did not say “balance.” That is because there is no such thing as perfect balance in life and business. So just find the harmony.

Neglecting Existing Clients and Opportunities

In the quest for the next big client or opportunity, entrepreneurs often neglect their existing clients and business relationships. This can be a costly mistake. I have done an exercise with my business owner clients where they grade their existing client database to reveal the goldmine that exists among their current clients. Your current clients are your most significant source of revenue and referrals. Ignoring them in pursuit of new prospects can damage your reputation and lead to a loss of trust.

By focusing on the present and nurturing your existing client relationships, you not only ensure a stable income stream but also create a loyal customer base that will advocate for your business and bring in new opportunities through word-of-mouth referrals. In a world where the 80/20 rule shows up all the time consider this; in most businesses 80% of the income comes from just the top 20% of clients. Let that sink in a moment. So be sure to focus your attention on those top clients and you can be assured of loyalty.

The Illusion of Overnight Success

The media is filled with stories of entrepreneurs who seemingly achieved overnight success. While these stories are inspiring, they often create an unrealistic expectation that success should happen quickly and effortlessly. As a result, entrepreneurs may abandon their current projects or opportunities prematurely in search of something bigger and faster. Or worse yet, abandon those loyal clients from the prior concept. I am sure that most of you have heard that the success rate of a business will increase in years three through five. Research conducted by Statistic Brain reveals that 25% of businesses fail within their first year, and 50% fail within their first five years. Overnight success stories are the exception, not the rule.

Embracing the present and committing to the long-term growth of your current venture is more likely to lead to sustainable success. Let us take this one step further as it relates to something I see happening all the time in travel. Many of us dutifully attend industry events inside or outside of our agencies. We hear success stories all the time from individual advisors. Danger lurks when we compare ourselves to that success and do not take into consideration how long it took to get there. What is the cure for this? Just compete against yourself and your own numbers, improve on those and make a game of beating your own personal bests; highest dollar booking or most commission in one month are just two examples. You can think of ones that motivate you.

Missing Out On Valuable Learning Experiences

Every phase of your entrepreneurial journey presents valuable learning opportunities. When you are too focused on chasing the next big thing or a trend, you may miss the lessons and growth that come from overcoming challenges and setbacks in your current endeavors. Learning from your mistakes and successes in the present can provide valuable insights that will serve you well in the future. Forbes contributor Amy Rees Anderson highlights the importance of learning from your experiences stating, "The real measure of success is the number of experiments that can be crowded into 24 hours."

By embracing the present, you can make the most of every moment and continually improve your entrepreneurial skills.

The Risk of Shiny Object Syndrome

This is one that I talk about often and I cannot highlight it enough. Travel folks can especially be afflicted with “Shiny Object Syndrome.” Closely followed by “FOMO,” am I right? Both can cause the best of us to lose focus on the present. My term for it is Bright Shiny Object Syndrome, which is a term used to describe the habit of constantly pursuing new opportunities without fully committing to any of them. Entrepreneurs with this syndrome jump from one idea to another, hoping that the next one will be the magic bullet that leads to success.

The danger of Bright Shiny Object Syndrome is that it often leads to unfinished projects and wasted resources. It is the number one thing that causes even good advisors with a clearly defined niche to divert their attention away from that specialty. Worse yet, it can tend to confuse the best among us about who our target audience is. You can start straying from the path that was leading you to success. Focusing on the present and what you have allows you to stay grounded and assess opportunities more critically. It encourages you to fully commit to your current clients or supplier relationships and see them through to fruition before considering new ventures.

In the end, I personally am reminded to take my own advice. Get outside and appreciate the changing temperatures. Live in this moment before I jump on the computer and start the work at hand. It is essential to find the harmony between ambition while having a focus on the present. While it is natural to seek growth and new opportunities, constantly chasing the next big client or thing can lead to burnout, neglect of existing opportunities and missed learning experiences. By appreciating what you have in the present and committing to your current endeavors, you can build a foundation for sustainable success and avoid the pitfalls that come with constantly looking to the future.

Above all else, be sure to be present with your friends, family and loved ones. Give yourself permission to make that more important at times as it can also be a business strategy unto itself. It is also the key to bringing harmony into your life.  Here is to your success!


About the Author

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Martin Mussey is a Certified Business Coach, Certified Travel Industry Executive and a Business Development and Education Manager at Nexion Travel Group and Travel Leaders of Tomorrow. #CoachMartin works with travel professionals at all levels using his award winning Business Coaching program. Martin's brand of travel advisor focused consultation where they are the HERO in their own story is on display with the business consulting service Business Success Journeys program at Nexion Travel Group. When Martin is not coaching or traveling himself he enjoys the arts, both on stage and off. He has served in technical roles and on the board of directors for two arts organizations in Dallas. Supporting the idea that art and life mirror each other, Coach Martin has presented workshops on applied improvisation as it relates to business owner adaptability and success.


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