Trips vs. Vacations

My wife helped me figure this one out, right around our 10th wedding anniversary.

Ok, maybe she had been telling me longer, but that’s when I finally acknowledge the wisdom.

There is a difference between a trip and a vacation. 

How you treat them could be the key to how you find the right balance to maintain both your business and personal relationships.

Trips have a purpose - whether it's a business meeting, visiting a landmark, or attending a funeral. 

They share similar characteristics with vacations, like airports, hotels, and expenses. 

But trips are mission-driven, not an escape.

Vacations are all about pleasure and relaxation. 

They shouldn't include a lot of work or serve a dual purpose. 

Mixing the two leads to misaligned expectations.

When someone says they “need a vacation from their vacation?”

They didn’t take a vacation. They took a trip and ate up their vacation days. 

Vacations don’t have to be long or expensive. 

But they should be frequent if you run a business.

Aim for at least one vacation per quarter to recharge, even if it's just a day or a few hours. 

Spend a night having a staycation. Or spend an afternoon at Starbucks. 

Pick up a hobby. Have a coke and smile. Start a side hustle.

Escape the grind. Give things time to breathe.  

In our remote work era, our life becomes one big long trip. It’s never-ending. 

That’s why it’s more important than ever to plan a vacation. 

It’s not just about work-life balance. 

It’s about taking a vacation from the grind of an overscheduled life of obligations.