What I Did With My Extra Time: Two Weeks in Ireland
What I Did With My Extra Time: Two Weeks in Ireland
A short travelog on why building a business that doesn't depend on you means you can actually step away from it — and what I found when I did.
If you've been reading my notes for a while, you know I talk a lot about business transition planning — building in more time for yourself, and making your company less dependent on you day to day. It's easy to talk about that in theory. So this summer, I decided to actually practice what I preach.
I spent the first two weeks of July in Ireland. No laptop glued to my side, no fires to put out back home. Just time. Here's a short travelog of what I saw along the way.
[Image: David overlooking the Irish countryside]
A Country Layered in History
Ireland is a beautiful country — green hills, stone walls, and history stacked on history. Everywhere you turn, there's another reminder of just how long people have been living, building, and fighting for this land.
[Image: Ancient castle ruins]
We wandered through the remnants of old castles and strongholds — crumbling walls that once belonged to kings and clans centuries ago. What struck me most was the stonework. No modern equipment, no power tools, and yet the craftsmanship has survived hundreds of years of weather and time. There's something humbling about standing in front of work that outlasts generations.
[Image: Detail shot of stone masonry]
Impossibly Green — For Good Reason
If you've ever wondered why Ireland is called the Emerald Isle, one trip will answer that question. The countryside is a green you don't quite see back home — rolling hills, hedgerows, sheep dotting the landscape in every direction.
And there's a simple reason for all that green: rain. A lot of it. Some days started with sun, shifted to a downpour by lunch, and cleared up again by dinner — sometimes all before 3 p.m. You learn quickly to travel with a rain jacket in one hand and sunglasses in the other.
Small Towns, Big Character
Despite the weather, there was no shortage of charming towns to wander through — colorful storefronts, narrow streets, and locals who were happy to point us toward the best spot for a meal (or a pint).
And yes, that included stopping into more than a few Irish pubs along the way. Good conversation, good pours, and no shortage of stories from the locals.
Friendly Faces, Furry and Otherwise
Even the cows we passed on the country roads seemed happy to see us — unbothered, curious, and about as relaxed as I felt by the end of the trip.
The Irish Sense of Humor
One of my favorite moments of the whole trip was a small historical marker we came across, which read: "In 1721, nothing happened here."
It's a small thing, but it captures something I love about the Irish — a sense of humor that doesn't take itself too seriously, even when standing next to centuries of serious history.
Why I'm Sharing This
I'm not sharing this just to show you vacation photos. I'm sharing it because two weeks away — fully away — doesn't happen by accident. It happens because you've built systems, people, and processes around you that don't require you to be in the room every single day.
That's what business transition planning is really about. It's not just about the day you eventually sell or walk away. It's about building a business today that gives you back time now — time for a trip like this, time for the people in your life, time for whatever matters to you.
If this is something you'd like for yourself — more time in your own busy days — contact me. I may be able to help.
