The Day Hard Work Stopped Working for Me

I thought more effort would mean more growth. Instead, I slammed into a wall.

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About four years ago, I opened another office in a different city for my travel agency.

The plan was simple: get more clients, make more money, and grow the business.

With 35+ years in the game, I figured I knew what I was doing.

Spoiler: I wasn’t

What happened next? The grind went through the roof.

I was doing everything right: more hours at the office, more proposals sent out, more emails answered, more meetings scheduled, more phone calls made, more content created, more marketing campaigns launched. I was hustling like never before.

Revenue? Completely stagnant.

Profit? Took a nosedive.

I call this The Wall Syndrome, or simply The Wall.

You know that feeling when you’re pushing harder and harder but getting nowhere?

Like you’re running full speed into an invisible wall?

That was me.

All that extra work, all those long days, all that effort.

And for what?

To watch my profits disappear while I worked myself to death.

Here’s what I learned: sometimes the harder you work using the old playbook, the further behind you fall.

The world had changed around me, but I was still playing by yesterday’s rules. Just louder and with more effort.

Today, we’re diving into something every business owner faces: What do you do when hard work stops working?

The truth is, most of us hit this wall eventually.

We know how to work hard.

We know how to grind it out.

But what happens when grinding becomes the problem? When all that effort just digs you deeper into a hole?

So, today, I want to show you how to recognize when you’ve hit The Wall, and what to do about it.

Because sometimes the answer isn’t working harder. Sometimes it’s working completely differently.

Sections:

From The Editor’s Desk (My Laptop)

The Wall isn’t just my story. Almost every travel professional runs into it at some point.

For some, it shows up as revenue that stays flat no matter how many hours you put in.

For others, it’s growing a team that somehow makes things more complicated, not less.

And often, it’s that constant “busy” feeling without real progress to show for it.

Here’s what I’ve learned: The Wall isn’t about effort. It’s about structure.

The systems and habits that helped you grow in the beginning won’t always take you to the next level. In fact, they can be the very things that keep you stuck.

I’ve seen it with solo advisors, boutique agencies, and even established firms. As the business grows, complexity grows too, unless you change the way you run it.

That’s why I put a name to this problem and created a framework to help break through.

This week, I released our first long-form video, The Wall.

In it, I explain why this happens, how to know if you’re facing it right now, and the four shifts that will help you push past it.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re running faster but not moving forward, this one is worth your time.

Because hitting The Wall is normal. But staying there is a choice.

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The Wall Checklist: Are You Stuck Without Knowing It?

One of the hardest parts of running a business isn’t strategy, sales, or even clients. It’s being honest with ourselves.

When you’re in the middle of the grind, it’s almost impossible to step back and see things clearly.

We convince ourselves that more hours, more calls, and more proposals will eventually pay off.

And sometimes they do. But many other times, all that effort hides the fact that we’ve hit a ceiling.

That’s why self-awareness is such an important skill for travel professionals. The faster you can recognize the signs, the faster you can adjust before the business (or your energy) pays the price.

To help you with this, I put together a simple checklist. Think of it as a mirror. Use it to check in with yourself and your business, and see if you might already be at The Wall without realizing it.

Here are 10 questions worth asking:

  1. Am I working more hours but making the same revenue?

  2. Have I added new services, but my profit margins keep shrinking?

  3. Do I feel constantly “busy” without clear progress?

  4. Has my team grown, but my workload hasn’t gotten lighter?

  5. Do I keep repeating the same marketing or sales activities without better results?

  6. Am I chasing more clients instead of creating more value with existing ones?

  7. Do I rely more on hustle than on systems or processes?

  8. Have I postponed strategy work because I’m “too busy” putting out fires?

  9. Do I feel like the business depends too much on me, even when I try to delegate?

  10. Have I caught myself saying, “I just need to push harder” without a real plan to change?

If you answered “yes” to 1 or more, chances are you’ve hit The Wall.

The good news? Naming the problem is the first step to solving it.

Take five minutes this week to sit with these questions and answer them honestly. If you find yourself saying “yes” more often than you’d like, don’t ignore it.

Let’s start a conversation.

Hit reply and tell me which question hit closest to home for you.

I read every response, and sometimes a short exchange is all it takes to see the path forward.

Global Luxury Travel News

Mandarin Oriental Tees Up Dubai Golf Resort + Residences

Mandarin Oriental is set to debut a luxury golf resort and branded residences in Dubai, marking a first for the brand in combining hospitality with real estate and sport. The project will include a championship golf course, resort, and residential units carrying the Mandarin Oriental name, expanding the group’s presence in one of luxury’s most competitive markets. LUXURY DAILY

When the fairway becomes your front yard, hospitality finds a new playground.

Mandarin Oriental

OKU Opens in Andalusia with Boho-Luxury Blend

The OKU brand has opened a 51-room hotel in Andalusia, bringing its signature “laid-back luxury” style to Spain’s southern coast. With farm-to-table dining, wellness programs, and a bohemian design aesthetic, the property aims to appeal to travelers seeking both indulgence and ease. It joins OKU’s properties in Ibiza and Kos, expanding the group’s European footprint. T+L

Proof that in Spain, luxury doesn’t always mean marble and chandeliers.

France Breaks Records with a Summer Tourism Boom

France reported its strongest summer ever for tourism, driven by four key factors: global events, a weak euro, rising long-haul demand, and strong domestic travel. According to Skift, this mix helped France shatter previous records, cementing its spot as the world’s most visited country. For luxury travel pros, it’s a reminder that macro trends, from currencies to global fixtures, can push demand beyond expectations. SKIFT

Even legends can set new records, and Europe’s star just proved it.

Global Events Calendar

🦅 The Eagles – The Sphere, Las Vegas
📅 Oct 3–4, 10–11, 31 • Nov 1, 7–8
The Sphere’s 360-degree visuals meet The Eagles’ greatest hits. Imagine Hotel California with light shows that make the music feel like architecture.

🏈 NFL Season – United States
📅 Through January 2026
Football is back. Tailgates, luxury suites, and America’s most-watched drama rolling week after week.

🎶 Andrea Bocelli – Rome, Terme di Caracalla
📅 September 28
Opera under the stars, framed by ancient Roman ruins. A one-night performance in a setting as timeless as Bocelli’s voice.

🍷 Big Sur Food & Wine Festival – Monterey County, CA
📅 Nov 6-8, 2025
Sip & Saunter in coast-side lodges, tasting menus, wine pairings, and sweeping views.

📌 This Events Calendar is brought to you in partnership with,

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