Everyone who’s built something, whether a travel brand, a host agency, or a private client roster, knows setbacks happen. They come when least expected: burnout, personal upheaval, changing priorities, or deeper life events. The real test isn’t whether you hit a wall. It’s whether you can reset, recalibrate, and come out stronger. In this post, we draw on the wisdom shared by Rebecca Guthrie, a serial entrepreneur and former tech executive who has built multi-million-dollar companies in the real estate technology space, to show how travel advisors can turn “unreasonable seasons” into reboot opportunities, get strategic, and build a business that actually aligns with who they want to be.
Why “resetting” isn’t the same as quitting
Rebecca describes what she calls “unreasonable seasons,” times when you feel friction not because there’s a problem to solve, but because what you’re doing doesn’t align with who you are or where you want to go.
That friction can be real. Maybe your business started to feel heavy with administrative tasks instead of creativity. Maybe family priorities shifted. Maybe the hustle began to drain more than it excited. For travel advisors, this often shows up as burnout, overwhelm, or a creeping sense that the business you dreamed of isn’t the one you’re operating.
The key difference between simply quitting and intentionally resetting is motivation. Quitting tends to come from fear. Resetting comes from clarity. It’s a decision that acknowledges where you are and where you want to go next.
The reset roadmap: how to get from stuck to strategy
Rebecca created a framework specifically for transitions like this. Below is a distilled version tailored for travel advisors.
1. Reflect on “what’s not working” and WHY
Look back with honesty. What patterns or inherited beliefs led you here? Maybe you’ve been chasing growth because “bigger is better,” without asking if “bigger” feels right anymore. Self-awareness is the foundation of a real reset.
2. Pause and audit your inputs
When things feel chaotic, slow down. Audit what you’re consuming: social media, business advice, emails, news. Audit your relationships, your peers, mentors, support system. Are they lifting you up or pulling you into old patterns? This kind of stillness prevents you from making reactive decisions that don’t serve your long-term vision.
3. Rebuild with clarity: define values, skills, and realign your plan
Once you’ve given yourself space, it’s time to rebuild intentionally. Define what really matters: your core values, passions, and strengths. For a travel advisor, that might mean deciding whether you want to focus on crafting intimate, meaningful itineraries rather than chasing the “biggest group sales.” Or it might mean shifting from always being “on” to building systems that honor balance. Then reverse-engineer from your envisioned future. What’s the next right step? And the step after it?
4. Commit and expect resistance
Every reset draws resistance. Old limiting beliefs, outside expectations, or even your own fear might whisper: “Go back to what was safe.” That’s a sign you’re on track. The work now is to stand firm, lean into your values, and keep building forward.
What this looks like in travel advising: real-life examples
From burnout to clarity: A travel advisor might arrive at year-end battered, maybe after juggling multiple client payments, late-night planning calls, and social media marketing. By taking a “reset audit,” they might realize that constant social posting isn’t necessary for their niche. Instead, they choose to focus on referrals and word-of-mouth, freeing up time and mental space.
From “all over the place” to niche clarity: Someone might have started by offering all types of destinations, luxury getaways, budget trips, and family vacations, only to feel overwhelmed. Using Rebecca’s reset framework, they might identify that their true passion is boutique cultural experiences. Then they redefine their “why,” refocus their marketing, and attract clients who value authentic cultural travel over flashy resorts.
From reactive to intentional growth: After a surprise major life event, health, family, or personal, a travel advisor might realize their previous growth goals don’t match their current priorities. Instead of pushing forward out of inertia, they pause, reflect, and rebuild a business that fits their lifestyle and values, not someone else’s definition of success.
Why this matters now: travel advisors are stepping into big transitions
The travel industry is unpredictable. Trends shift. Clients’ needs change. Personal lives evolve. Many advisors find themselves facing crossroads: burnout, shifting priorities, or a mismatch between the life they imagined and the life they live.
That’s why resetting strategically, rather than stubbornly pushing forward, matters. It gives you power. It gives you clarity. It allows you to align your business with your values and long-term vision.
When the chaos hits, end-of-year fatigue, personal life shifts, or simply a waning passion, resetting with intention can not only save your sanity, but also set you up for long-term, sustainable success.
The advantage: building a business that fits you (not someone else’s standard)
Here’s what you get when you commit to this kind of reset:
- Deeper self-awareness — you know what drives you and what drains you.
- A business built around your values — not just chasing trends or external validation.
- Less burnout and more sustainable energy — you show up intentionally, not out of obligation.
- The freedom to say “no” — to projects, clients, or social media demands that don’t align.
- A stronger sense of direction — you know your next right move because you built it from your future backwards.
For travel advisors especially, that can mean shifting from always chasing the next booking to designing meaningful experiences, prioritizing work‑life balance, and growing in ways that feel right.
Next step: If you’re ready to reset and scale with intention…
If you want a deeper learning path to help rebuild and grow, consider exploring the Agency Expansion Academy. It’s designed for advisors and small agency owners ready to align business growth with personal vision, not just hustle harder, but smarter.
Resetting after setbacks isn’t a sign of failure. It’s a sign of awareness. It’s a chance to pause and build with clarity. For travel advisors juggling so much, passion, clients, marketing, life, giving yourself permission to reset might just be the smartest move you make this year.
Comments +