Why Holidays are a Good Investment
At The Wealth Designers, we talk a lot about investing. But not every smart investment shows up on a spreadsheet.
Some of the best returns come from something far less transactional: taking a holiday.
We’re not talking about time off. We’re talking about a strategy for high performance, deeper connection, and clearer thinking. When you reframe holidays as an essential input into your life and work, not a break from them,
Downtime is Not a Luxury, It’s Leverage
Research published by Harvard Business Review reveals that professionals who take time out return with better energy, sharper thinking, and are significantly more likely to be promoted. Specifically, the study found that people who took more than 10 days of holiday had over a 30% higher chance of receiving a raise or bonus than those who took fewer.
Now sure, Australians typically receive more leave than our US counterparts. But the point isn’t about entitlement, it’s about how we see time away.
This is not about clocking off. It’s about investing in your ability to show up better.
Your Brain Needs a Break to Perform at Its Best
Cognitive science is clear: we solve problems more creatively, make better decisions, and process information more effectively when we’ve had time to recover. As the Harvard Business Review authors put it, without proper downtime, we don’t just lose energy. We lose our edge.
Planned holidays, the kind that give you space to reset and reflect, deliver what researchers call high ROI on energy and outlook. But they have to be:
- Planned in advance
- Physically or mentally distant from work
- Grounded in connection and safety
- Designed to recharge, not rush
Even Peak Performers Step Back to Go Further
Elite athletes don’t train 365 days a year. Top entrepreneurs schedule sabbaticals. Great leaders know when to push, but more importantly, when to pause.
A well-designed holiday isn’t indulgence. It’s infrastructure.
It’s where clarity returns, resilience grows, and perspective sharpens.
We Plan for This Too
At The Wealth Designers, we build holidays into your wealth strategy on purpose, not as an afterthought. Because a life that’s rich in experience, energy and meaning is the whole point of building wealth in the first place.
Living well means investing not just in the future, but in you.
So let’s plan for the space you need to think clearly, live fully, and perform at your best.
Ready to Invest in Your Best Thinking?
Let’s design a financial plan that includes the time and freedom to truly recharge, without guilt and without regret.