Why Your Next Vacation Might Be Your Best Business Move

On this 285th episode of my Monday Morning Pep Talk, I’m going to take a step back from market stats and strategies and bring you something more personal—but just as relevant to high performance. Over the past nine months, Amy and I planned an 11-day trip to France to celebrate some of our life’s biggest milestones: Aly’s graduation from the University of Wisconsin, Lizzy’s high school graduation from Latin School of Chicago, and Amy and me reaching 30 years of marriage. It wasn’t just a trip; it was a celebration. It was also a test—of planning, boundaries, and mindset. And it changed me. Today, I’ll share 10 insights that emerged from stepping off the grid—and one major challenge I’m passing along to you.

 

Before I jump into today’s call, I want to remind you of my professional purpose: to help you, the full-service, full-fee Advisor, optimize your productivity and become the best version of yourself. Why? Because “Happy Advisors Sell More Real Estate.” I do that by teaching you how to handle the challenges and opportunities you face every day. When you can effectively manage the situations that arise daily in your business, you’ll be more productive and live a life that reflects the best version of yourself. My ask is that you listen as if you’re in a one-on-one coaching session with me, either in my office or on a call.

 

What I thought would be a beautiful, long-overdue vacation turned into a masterclass in perspective. The kind of clarity that only comes when you remove yourself from your environment, your calendar, and your inbox. It took months of planning and a major mindset shift to fully unplug—but once I did, I found something powerful. Lessons I didn’t know I needed. Some were reminders. Others were new revelations. And all of them reinforced the very principles I coach to every week. Here are the 10 lessons I learned through the planning process, by pressing pause—and what they could mean for your business, your health, and your relationships.

 

The 10 Lessons I Learned:

 

  1. People can live without you for a few weeks. If you properly plan and set your boundaries, those who respect you will respect those boundaries. If they don't, they are not your people. I was overwhelmed by those who supported me during this much-needed time away. Lesson learned.
  2. I’ve never heard anyone regret taking time away, nor have I heard of a business collapsing because someone stepped back for a short period. When you do interesting things and become more interesting as a person because of your travels, you become more attractive. People are aspirational—they want to be around those who seek a higher level of living. NOTE: You don’t have to travel to Europe to be interesting. There are plenty of meaningful, enriching opportunities in your own backyard.
  3. We visited Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. On the tour, it struck me that it took 182 years to build the original structure completed in the year 1345. The planning, foresight, and patience that took is epic. In today’s society, we want everything instantly, and even the idea of a 3-Year Vision supported by 12 quarters of action can feel overwhelming. I challenge you to take that process seriously. If 8–9 generations of craftsmen could build a masterpiece, you can invest three years to build the business of your dreams.
  4. I took this trip with intention. It was part of the 3-Year Vision I wrote in the fall of 2022, which ends on 12/31/2025. I'm not worried about regaining momentum despite the jet lag. When you plan with intention, the rebound is smooth. Without it, regaining rhythm is a struggle.
  5. What was the cost? I prefer to ask: what would it have cost not to go? My family is closer than ever. I can’t put a price on that.
  6. The French do hospitality differently. Their attention to detail shows up in everything—from meals to their non-negotiable lunch breaks. There's presence and purpose even in the simplest moments.
  7. Travel = education. Experiencing new cultures refills your tank. Every trip is a learning experience—sometimes you learn how you do want to live, other times how you don’t.
  8. I found another super-efficient use for ChatGPT. I used it to build out my wardrobe for the entire trip. Through a simple prompt, I input my profile, destinations, travel details, and the need to pack light with a TUMI carry-on. It generated a mix-and-match wardrobe that worked beautifully. The exact prompt will be included in this week’s newsletter—our first edition to feature my new “AI Prompt of the Week.”
  9. Do a download when you return. Was the trip too long? Too short? What did you love and want to replicate? What would you change? Treat your travel debrief like your Week 13—reflect so you can plan even better next time.
  10. You know it was a great trip when you’re ready to be home.

 

This trip reminded me that high performance isn’t about grinding 365 days a year. It’s about knowing when to intentionally throttle down so you can throttle back up with clarity and purpose. The most impactful advisors I know don’t just build careers—they build lives. And that starts with how you design your time. You’ve earned the right to take your life seriously.

 

Here’s my challenge to you: Plan your next “off-the-grid” downtime—right now. Not a long weekend. Not a work-cation. A true break. Put it on the calendar. Build the systems and people to support it. Then do the work that gives you the right to step away. Because if you can’t step away, you don’t own your business—it owns you. And if you truly want to operate at an elite level, your ability to recharge isn’t a luxury—it’s self-care. Start with 7–10 days. Then push yourself to 2 weeks. Eventually, build toward an intentional month “outside looking in.” If I can do it, you can too—if you put enough value on it. I truly believe the biggest flex in real estate brokerage is an elite-level producer’s ability to keep business and life priorities in check.

 

As I wrap up this message—having reflected on every word I’ve written—I realize I’ve never been more motivated to create meaningful value for those of you in my ecosystem. That clarity comes from the kind of perspective and gratitude that only real time away can offer. Thank you for your patience and for giving me the space to return with fresh insight, ready to pour it right back into you and the rest of my community. This is why time away might just be your best business move.

 

If today’s Monday Morning Pep Talk resonated with you, do me a favor — share it with someone in your world who needs to hear it. Whether it’s a colleague, a friend, or your team, we rise by lifting others. And don’t forget, every episode is also sent out via email, so if you’re not already subscribed, make sure you’re on the list by subscribing on my Instagram profile at @askjimmiller. I’m simply here to help — and if this helped you, chances are it’ll help someone else too.