The Real Reason Business Owners Should Take Holidays (and Why We Took Builders to Dubai & Munich)

Imagine you’re about to drive across the country. You’ve got a great car (your business!), fuel in the tank, and you’re ready to go. But… you don’t actually know where you’re heading, how you’ll track your progress, how you’ll react to unexpected detours, or what specific turns you need to make each day. Sounds like a surefire way to get lost, right?

This is how many businesses operate. They have potential, energy, and a desire to succeed, but they lack a clear system to guide their journey. That’s why I developed the Business Navigation System (something we delve into in our Basecamp program), but applying that system also requires stepping outside the day-to-day to gain perspective and push boundaries.

For a business owner, stepping away from the daily grind isn’t just about preventing burnout (though that’s crucial!). Taking a planned, intentional break from your business — especially one focused on new experiences and learning, like our Future Builder Experiences trips — offers a unique set of benefits that can directly impact your company’s success.

Recently, I had the incredible opportunity to host a group of builders from around Australia on a Future Builder Experience trip to Dubai and Munich. Alongside Kyle Zanetto from Future Builder Co. and Daniel Jacobs from Pro Clima, we led these builders on a tour designed to spark inspiration and provide world-class insights. But the value of this trip started long before we even boarded the plane, and it wasn’t just about what we saw overseas.

Here’s the real reason why business owners, particularly builders, should make taking focused time away a non-negotiable part of their strategy:

1. Empowering Your Team and Testing Your Systems: For me, removing myself from the daily operations of Davies Construction for an extended period is a deliberate test. It gives other team members the crucial space and opportunity to step up, make decisions, and grow into new areas of responsibility. This is vital for building a capable, empowered team.

2. Stress-Testing Your Assets and Systems: My definition of a business “asset” is anything that can still create value even when a key person, like the business owner, isn’t physically present. When I’m away, it puts our systems, processes, and assets to the test. Does value creation continue? Can the business function effectively? This highlights strengths and exposes weaknesses that might not be visible when I’m constantly involved. It’s a crucial way to build a more robust and self-sufficient business.

3. Igniting Inspiration and Driving Growth: Every single time I have taken a holiday and removed myself from the immediate demands of the business, I have returned more inspired. Stepping outside the familiar environment, seeing different perspectives, and having dedicated time for reflection inevitably sparks new ideas. Without the daily distractions, my mind has space to think creatively and strategically. Consistently, I’ve found that these periods away directly correlate with subsequent periods of business growth.

4. Building Deep, Long-Term Relationships: While business conferences have their place, there’s something uniquely powerful about sharing a travel experience with others. The conversations you have while exploring a new city, navigating transport, sharing meals, or experiencing something completely new together are often far more in-depth, deep, and meaningful than anything you’d get in a conference hall. Shared experiences build bonds and foster long-term relationships that are invaluable for support, collaboration, and growth.

This is the thinking behind our Future Builder Experiences. They are designed not just as trips, but as strategic investments in personal and business growth. They provide a framework for builders to step away intentionally, gain incredible insights, build powerful relationships, and return ready to implement positive change in their own companies.

Our recent trip to Dubai and Munich was a perfect example of this in action. Let me take you through the journey…

Dubai: Witnessing the Future

My first impression of Dubai? Mind-blowing. The sheer scale of the buildings here is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. It’s like stepping into the future. To witness how much is being built here in such a short period of time… it’s awe-inspiring. The vision of the leaders here is truly something to behold.

And of course, no trip to Dubai is complete without a visit to the Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world. We headed to the top, the 148th floor, for a view that truly takes your breath away. Standing there, at 555.7 meters above the ground, it’s easy to feel a sense of wonder and possibility. Dubai is a testament to what humans can achieve when they dare to dream big.

But Dubai isn’t just about skyscrapers and impressive feats of engineering. It’s also a hub for innovation and personal growth. And that’s what brought us to the Mindvalley Future Human event. Vishen Lakhiani, the founder of Mindvalley, painted a picture of a future that’s rapidly approaching. He declared that 2025 is the last “normal” year in human history. Are we ready for what’s next?

Steven Bartlett, the insightful entrepreneur from Diary of a CEO, shared his secrets to success, emphasizing the importance of failing, sweating the small stuff, and becoming a professional sleeper. He also highlighted the importance of being a full-time recruiter — finding the best people and convincing them to come and join your mission.

At Mindvalley, we were exposed to some truly mind-bending ideas. Like, using AI to make a digital clone of yourself, building the digital version of you to scale your expertise and availability, to answer questions by your team and speak to your clients. Think 24/7 access for those needing answers from what you know. Imagine a world where anyone could have an android robot for the cost of a car by 2029! And get this: they said we’re moving towards a four-day weekend and a three-day work week! Universal basic income? It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when. They even talked about radical longevity. If you can stay alive for the next 10 years, you might just live to be hundreds of years old!

Think about it: we’re at a point in time where we see 100 years of change happening in a single year! To thrive in this rapidly changing world, we need to master new skills. Computational thinking, organizing our data for AI systems… these are the keys to unlocking our potential and free up our time. The age of specialization is coming to an end. It’s the age of the generalist, the multi-talented individual who can adapt and learn quickly.

Mindvalley challenged us to think differently about the future, about work, about life itself. It’s a reminder that we’re living in extraordinary times, and that we all have a role to play in shaping what comes next. Peter Drucker once said, “Show me your calendar and your bank statement and I’ll show you what you really value.” What do your calendar and bank statement say about you? It’s time to invest in ourselves, to learn new skills, to embrace the future with open arms. Put time in your calendar to learn AI. Research it. Dedicate at least 40 hours to understanding this transformative technology.

Are you a past builder or a future builder? Past builders cling to the old ways of doing things. Future builders are adaptable, innovative, and always learning. Which one are you?

As well as the inspiring environment of Mindvalley, we ventured out to experience more of what Dubai has to offer. We escaped the city to explore the vast and beautiful desert, raced across the dunes in 4x4s, and enjoyed a traditional barbecue under the stars. As we left Dubai, we carried with us the memories of this extraordinary city, the insights from Mindvalley, and the inspiration to build a better future. Dubai had shown us what’s possible when we combine vision, innovation, and a commitment to progress. We were excited to take these lessons with us as we continued our journey to Munich.

Munich Day 1: History, Architecture, and Craftsmanship

Guten Tag from Munich! We’d traded the futuristic skyscrapers of Dubai for the charming, historic streets of Bavaria. Our first day here was a fascinating journey through time and craftsmanship.

We started our day at the Ludwigskirche, a magnificent Baroque church built in the 17th century. It’s a masterpiece of Baroque architecture with stunning frescoes, elaborate altars, and a majestic dome. We were lucky enough to get a private tour of the roof structure, which offers breathtaking views of the city. The wooden framework is a marvel of engineering, a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of the builders who created it. This building was one of the first in Munich to use steel with timber to strengthen the roof truss — a fascinating example of how traditional building techniques were combined with modern technology. We climbed the bell tower, explored the winding staircases, and even saw a massive painting depicting the life of St. Ludwig.

Next, we visited a trade school where students were learning the art of master carpentry. It’s a rigorous process that takes years of dedication: one year of full-time school, then two years as an apprentice splitting time between the classroom and the workshop. And even after that, there’s more practice required before you can finally call yourself a master carpenter. We learned about the intricacies of pitching a roof, the different types of hand tools used, and the variety of trades involved in construction. Did you know there are 53 different trades you can become a master in here in Germany?

After the trade school, we explored the charming Old Town, soaking in the atmosphere. We stopped by the Hofbräuhaus, a world-famous beer hall, and admired the bustling Marienplatz with its iconic New Town Hall. Day one in Munich was an incredible blend of history, architecture, and craftsmanship.

Munich Day 2: Where Building Science Meets Bavarian Craftsmanship

Day two in Munich, and we hit the road! Our friend “Airboss Dan” picked us up bright and early for a journey into the picturesque Bavarian countryside. It’s amazing to see the contrast between the bustling city of Munich and the peaceful countryside — rolling hills, charming villages, apple orchards dusted with snow… it’s like something out of a fairytale.

Our first stop was Ift Rosenheim, a leading institute for window and facade technology. Markus, one of the experts there, gave us a fascinating presentation. They have two state-of-the-art laboratories where they test, inspect, and certify windows and facades for everything from fire resistance to acoustics. They even have a machine that can open and close a door 20,000 times to ensure its durability! It’s incredible to see the level of detail and precision that goes into their work. Markus explained how companies all come together to create better standards for the industry, which is something we’re passionate about at Future Builders.

Next, we headed to Fichtlhaus, a family-owned carpentry company with a rich history. They welcomed us with a traditional tradie lunch and a captivating presentation. It all started with one carpenter, and now they have 65 employees and a state-of-the-art prefab factory. They specialize in innovative wall systems and are part of a group of carpenters across Europe who share knowledge and best practices, much like our Future Builders community. We were impressed by their use of a Hundegger saw, a high-tech machine that allows them to create complex cuts with incredible accuracy. And they’re not afraid to embrace new technology — they’re even planning to expand with a new robotic saw! It’s inspiring to see a company that values its employees and invests in their development. They have a strong sense of community, with many long-term employees and even multi-generational teams, like fathers and sons working side-by-side. We got a tour of their factory and a construction site, where we saw how they can assemble a house in just one week! The entire process, from design to completion, takes about six months: six weeks in design, three weeks in the factory, and 20 weeks on site. Day two in Munich was a fantastic exploration of Bavarian craftsmanship and innovation. We saw how traditional techniques are being combined with cutting-edge technology to create beautiful and sustainable buildings. It’s a reminder that the future of building is about more than just materials and high performance detail — it’s about people, passion, and a commitment to excellence.

BAU Munich: A Builder’s Playground

The final part of our Munich experience was immersing ourselves in BAU, the world’s leading trade fair for architecture, materials, and systems! We dedicated three whole days to exploring this massive event, and it was an absolute whirlwind of inspiration and innovation. With 18 massive halls packed with the latest in building technology, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. But for us, this is like a playground for Future Builders. We were there to spark ideas, discover new trends, and find ways to improve building practices back home in Australia.

One of the biggest trends we noticed was the rise of modular components. The future of building is all about prefabrication, efficiency, and sustainability. And the innovation on display here was truly mind-blowing. Of course, amidst all the learning, we still indulged in some local delicacies — sausages, pretzels, and beer! But it’s clear the effort that goes into these stalls is incredible. Companies from all over the world bring their A-game, showcasing their latest and greatest products and constantly innovating, releasing new products every two years to stay ahead of the curve.

We saw a strong connection between German and European building technology and Australia. But there are still so many ideas and products that we’re unaware of. That’s why events like BAU are so important — they open our eyes to new possibilities and challenge us to think differently. We left BAU with our heads buzzing with ideas and our notebooks filled with inspiration. We can’t wait to share what we’ve learned with our community back home and contribute to a more innovative and sustainable future for the Australian building industry. BAU was an incredible experience, a reminder that the world of building is constantly evolving.

Lessons in Building Businesses, Futures, and Ourselves

This trip to Dubai and Munich was about more than just visiting impressive places and seeing new technologies. It was about embodying the principles of a Future Builder. It was about intentionally stepping away to allow the business and team to grow. It was about stress-testing systems and assets. It was about finding fresh inspiration that will fuel future growth. It was about building deep, lasting relationships through shared experiences and meaningful conversations.

If this resonates with you, if you’re passionate about building a better future — not just better buildings, but better businesses and a better you — we invite you to join the Future Builders Society. Become part of a community that’s shaping the world, one connection, one idea, one strategic step at a time.

Experiences like these are an investment in yourself, your team, and the future of your business. Stop clinging to the old ways; become adaptable, innovative, and always learning. Become a Future Builder.