Working in the travel and hospitality industry means being constantly on the go, solving problems in real time, and often managing the unmanageable — all while trying to maintain your sanity and maybe even squeeze in five minutes to yourself. As a mom and executive in the travel industry, I’ve lived this life and I’m here to tell you: the myth of work-life balance has got to go.

That idea of perfectly balancing work, family and personal time like you’re some kind of human scale? It’s not just unrealistic; it’s a recipe for burnout. It leaves us feeling like we’re always dropping the ball somewhere. So let’s toss that narrative out and start doing things differently. It’s time to prioritize what matters, delegate like a boss, and manage your energy like the valuable asset it is.

Why Travel and Hospitality Professionals Need a Different Approach

Let’s be real: travel and hospitality professionals wear all the hats. Leader. Caregiver. Problem-solver. Partner. You name it. Traditional advice about “balance” doesn’t cut it when you’re on a 4 a.m. call because something went sideways. Or when the emotional labor of your day spills into your evening. That’s why we need a new playbook.

One idea that’s shifted everything for me is thinking of life as a symphony. Sometimes your career plays lead. Other times, it’s your health, your family or your creative side. The point is, the music continues — and it can still sound amazing even when one part is louder than the others.

1. Prioritize what actually matters.

Value-based prioritization is about getting clear on what really matters to you — not just what’s loudest or most urgent. When your values lead your decisions, it becomes easier to filter the noise and focus on what moves your life and career forward.

2. Delegate like a boss.

The “7 Ds of Strategic Delegation” is a framework I developed to simplify the process of letting go and lightening your load at work and at home.

  • Determine: Assess tasks and decide what to delegate.
  • Define: Clarify what success looks like.
  • Decide Who: Select the right person based on skills and capacity.
  • Do the Math: Estimate the time required to teach or explain.
  • Discuss: Clearly communicate expectations and deadlines.
  • Discourse: Follow up, support and evaluate progress.
  • (Happy) Dance: Celebrate the win — big or small!

Delegation isn’t just about handing off tasks; it’s about building trust, setting boundaries and freeing up your energy for what truly matters.

3. Manage your energy, not just your time.

We all love a good to-do list, but it’s your energy that truly fuels results. Managing your energy means aligning your most focused, high-vibe moments with your most important work. It’s about tuning into your natural rhythms and building in recovery time, especially in a fast-paced industry like travel and hospitality. Productivity without burnout isn’t just possible, it’s necessary.

That also means releasing guilt around rest. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Protecting your energy is one of the most powerful professional moves you can make.

What This Means for You

If you’re a woman in travel and hospitality — running ops, leading teams, developing content, designing experiences, managing flight schedules, etc. — this approach is for you.

These frameworks and mindset shifts help us:

  • Focus on what matters most (and drop the rest).
  • Stop doing everything ourselves (yes, really!).
  • Recharge without burning out.
  • Start our days with clarity and intention.
  • Reconnect with joy, because we deserve that.

These strategies and tools are explored in detail in my new book, “The Savvy Working Mom: A Guide to Prioritization, Delegation, and Making Time for Cocktails” — written especially for high-performing women who want to thrive at work and at home.

If this message resonates with you, please consider sharing the book with your team, your ERG, or a working mom in your life. Together, we can change the narrative — not just for ourselves, but for the next generation of women in hospitality and travel.