For the past two weeks, I have been noticeably absent from your inbox on Friday mornings. While I always look forward to writing Terry Talks, this absence was intentional and for a very good reason.
I recently returned from a trip to Australia where I had the opportunity to spend time with my daughter, Madeline, who has been living there for the past four years. The trip began and ended in Brisbane, with a week in between spent on Hamilton Island, nestled within the breathtaking beauty of the Great Barrier Reef. It was, without question, one of the most memorable vacations I have ever experienced. Beyond the incredible scenery, pristine waters, and tropical surroundings, the true highlight was simply being able to spend meaningful time with my daughter. As parents know all too well, those opportunities become increasingly precious as our children grow older and build lives of their own.
Like many of you, I have spent much of my professional life focused on building a career, serving clients, leading organizations, solving problems, and pursuing goals. There is certainly nothing wrong with that. In fact, ambition, discipline, and a strong work ethic are qualities I deeply admire. They are often the driving forces behind personal growth, professional achievement, and the ability to create opportunities for ourselves and those we care about.
However, as I sat overlooking the Coral Sea, watching the sun set over Hamilton Island and reflecting on life from a vantage point thousands of miles away from the office, I was reminded of something that is easy to forget when we become consumed by the demands of our daily routines. The work will always be there. There will always be another transaction to negotiate, another client to serve, another challenge to overcome, another opportunity to pursue, and another problem that requires our attention. Business has an endless appetite for our time if we allow it.
What is not endless, however, are the opportunities we have to create meaningful experiences with the people who matter most to us.
The reality is that life is happening while we are busy making a living. Children grow up. Parents grow older. Friends move away. Circumstances change. The seasons of our lives pass much more quickly than we often realize. While financial success, professional recognition, and business accomplishments are all worthwhile pursuits, they are not substitutes for the memories we create with those we love.
One of the greatest lessons this trip reinforced for me is that work-life balance is not about choosing one over the other. It is not about abandoning responsibility or somehow caring less about your business. Rather, it is about recognizing that success should enhance your life, not consume it. The purpose of working hard is not simply to accumulate achievements. It is to create the freedom and opportunity to enjoy the people, experiences, and moments that ultimately give those achievements meaning.
Ironically, stepping away from work often makes us better when we return. Distance provides perspective. Rest renews energy. New experiences stimulate creativity. Time spent with family replenishes us emotionally. By temporarily disconnecting from the constant demands of business, we often reconnect with the very reasons we work so hard in the first place.
As I settle back into my routine, admittedly battling some jet lag and the not-so-welcome souvenir of a cold that followed me home, I find myself returning with a renewed sense of gratitude. Gratitude for the memories that were created. Gratitude for the opportunity to be fully present with my daughter. Gratitude for the reminder that while our careers are important, they represent only one chapter of a much larger story.
As we move closer to summer, I encourage each of you to think about the experiences you want to create and the people with whom you want to create them. Take the trip. Plan the family gathering. Spend the extra day with your children. Visit the friend you’ve been meaning to see. Make the time. The deals, emails, meetings, and obligations will still be waiting when you return.
Years from now, the details of most business transactions will fade from memory. What will remain are the moments that made you laugh, the conversations that strengthened relationships, the adventures you shared, and the memories that became part of your family’s story. Those are the investments that appreciate forever, and unlike any market cycle, their value never declines.
Have a wonderful weekend.
TERRY Talks 