Why It’s Easier to Book a Vacation Than Invest in Your Own Growth as a Leader

We’ll spend thousands on a vacation without much hesitation.

Flights. Hotels. Fine dining. Excursions. It adds up quickly—but we justify it because we know what we’re buying: rest, adventure, a break from routine. A temporary experience that makes us feel something.

We trust it’ll be worth it.

We do the same with cars. We think about performance, safety, comfort—maybe the color. But ultimately, we trust the car will get us where we want to go.

Even buying a TV feels justified. We focus on size, clarity, features. We're not just buying a screen—we’re buying an experience we believe we deserve.

But when it comes to investing in ourselves—our clarity, confidence, leadership, or career direction—suddenly, we hesitate.

Not because we don’t want the outcome. But because we’re not always sure we can trust ourselves to get there.

What if I don’t follow through?
What if nothing changes?
What if I’ve already hit my ceiling?
What if this is just who I am?

That’s what makes personal development such a vulnerable investment. It’s not about upgrading your tools. It’s about upgrading you—the leader, the human, the asset.

And that feels far less certain than clicking “book now.”

You’ve traveled. You’ve escaped. But maybe you haven’t transformed… yet.

So here’s what I want to remind you:

• Have you ever learned something that fundamentally changed how you lead?

• Have you ever faced a challenge that stretched you—and you rose to meet it?

• Have you ever taken a risk and emerged stronger?

Then you already know what it’s like to invest in yourself.

You don’t have to be 100% ready. You just have to believe you’re worth the effort.

Believe that with the right support, progress isn’t just possible—it’s inevitable.

Think back to when you committed to something unfamiliar—an MBA, a training, a new role. You didn’t know it all then, but you trusted that by showing up, you’d grow. And you did.

If you’re navigating a leadership transition…
If you’re stepping into more responsibility…
If you’ve been spinning your wheels waiting for the “right time”…

Ask yourself: Is your future worth more than your next vacation?

Because you are the asset. And when you invest in you, everything changes.

It might not be the easiest investment—but it’s the only one that pays dividends for life.

— Dr. Benjamin Ritter