An interesting thing that can happen in the pathway to regaining ownership of your life is this: As things come off your plate, you find time to think and dream. And when you dream, you have new ideas. It may seem counterintuitive to start a new business when in the midst of a personal crisis, but sometimes it makes sense.
But first, let's look at the process of building a pathway forward for a person who has lost themselves in their commitments to others and work:
- Stop the Bleeding (document your commitments, get honest with yourself on what you can do, prioritize, communicate.)
- Regain Control of the Car (focus on your real commitments, say no, dig out, say no, rest.)
- Plan for You (align your work, self, family around a few important objectives)
- Fail Forward (be disciplined, try new things, fail, learn, adjust, repeat.)
During phase two of this process while talking with Mark, we dreamed of doing something good for our region and good for us: Launch a seasonal newspaper that highlights all the great recreation opportunities in this area, the growing farm-to-table activities, and rural/off the grid living. It could help local businesses reach the seasonal tourists who may not know of all the wonderful places they can get away to for crafts, gifts, good food, fun, and more.
Note that during phase two the rule is "say no." It is there twice for a reason: You must learn the habit of saying no in order to avoid ending up back in the bad spot where you started. But we kept coming back to the paper concept. And it hit me that it was time to say yes to something. Why? Because this paper idea had many elements that aligned with my personal priorities:
- I have the skills to do it - and it is something I love doing
- It is local - no crazy travel
- It leads to new relationships with great people who are also "doers"

Donny from Liberty, reading the first edition of the Center Hill Sun which delivered to his mailbox in October.
After several weeks of deciding what was possible within the context, we decided to launch the Center Hill Sun. We did it by evaluating the minimums that had to be done in order to get a print publication off the ground: Ad sales, a VERY basic website (this was hard for me to accept as a web designer), a decent printer, a design, distribution. This paper delivers via mail to more than 15,000 households and businesses around the lake, and we are at the major tourist spots in the area, as well as restaurants and other businesses. We aim to add the marinas this spring.
And now that phase four is here, it is time to fail forward. With two editions successfully produced, we are beginning to implement digital strategy, selling as many advertisements as possible, and excited to see our early spring edition in March.
The pathway toward independence is long, but the last six months have been transformational and it has boiled down to four simple, yet hard-to-do steps.
(Incidentally, if you want to advertise in the Center Hill Sun, email me at ads@centerhillsun.com.)
16 COMMENTS ON THIS POST To “I’m Overcommitted So Let’s Start a New Business”
Louann
February 4, 2017 at 10:35 amThanks in support of sharing such a good thinking, post is nice, thats why i have read it completely
garcinia cambogia as seen on dr oz
February 11, 2017 at 4:37 amHmm it seems like your blog ate my first comment (it
was super long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I had written and
say, I’m thoroughly enjoying your blog. I as well am an aspiring blog writer but I’m still new to the whole thing.
Do you have any recommendations for novice blog writers?
I’d definitely appreciate it.
Rosella
February 11, 2017 at 6:51 amI am actually delighted to glance at this weblog posts which contains lots of helpful facts, thanks for providing such data.
Christin
February 11, 2017 at 7:06 amAll you have to be committed to doing is lifting some items that may be a tad heavy and putting some elbow into it.
If you are new to apartment living, you may be finding it hard to make your apartment feel
like an actual home. Make sure you are aware of parking spaces, pools, clubhouses and laundry services.
cheapejuice.tumblr.com
February 11, 2017 at 10:02 amA motiѵatіng discussion is worth comment. I think that you
ought to pubⅼish more about this issue, it may not be a taboo matter but
usually people don’t disϲuss these issues. To the next!
All the best!!
Michelle
February 11, 2017 at 3:27 pmI like the valuable info you provide in your articles.
I’ll bookmark your blog and check again here regularly.
I’m quite certain I’ll learn plenty of new stuff right here!
Good luck for the next!
Deloras
February 11, 2017 at 6:20 pmAmazing! This blog looks exactly like my old one!
It’s on a totally different subject but it has pretty much the same
page layout and design. Great choice of colors!
Andreas
February 11, 2017 at 8:00 pmYoᥙ made ѕome gooⅾ points there. I looked on the net for more info about the
issue and found most individuals will go along with
your vіews on thiѕ weƅ site.
www.facebook.com
February 11, 2017 at 10:39 pmThis design is steller! You most certainly know
how to keep a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Great job.
I really enjoyed what you hadd to say, and more than that, how you presented it.
Tooo cool!
twitter.com
February 12, 2017 at 1:31 amI think that is one of the most significajt info for me.
And i am glad studying your article. However want
to commentary on few general things, The site
taste is perfect, the articles iss in point of fact great : D.
Good process, cheers
Simply Venom skincare
February 12, 2017 at 6:15 amI’ve read a feew just right stuff here. Certainly pice bookmarking ffor revisiting.
I surprise how much attempt you set to create any such wonderful informative web site.
God Shirts
February 12, 2017 at 9:31 amNice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon on a dail basis.
It’s always ezciting to read articles from other authors
and practice a little something froom other sites.
Kia
February 12, 2017 at 7:15 pmWhen somdone writes an piece of writing he/she keeps the image of a user in his/her brain that how a user
can bbe aware of it. Therefore that’s why this post is perfect.
Thanks!
Simply Venom Skincare
February 13, 2017 at 3:08 amHi there, this weekend is good for me, because this point in time i am reading this wonderful
educational post here at my residence.
The Break Up Pill
February 14, 2017 at 1:27 amIt’s not myy first time too visit this site, i am browsing this
web page dailly annd take pleasant information from heere all the time.
basic air conditioner
February 20, 2017 at 9:01 amHello, I would like to subscribe for this webpage
to get most up-to-date updates, therefore where can i do it please help out.