In the spring of 2010, I was looking to grow professionally. I came across a non-profit business model that really appealed to me. It was a lot of work, but it was in line with what I was already doing so I began my quest. Research, connections, and fundraising were early parts of the game.
With a baby, a full-time job, and another business I was already running, I discovered that I was trying to do too much. Also, the business portion took me away from the heart of what I really wanted to do: help people. There were no guarantees that Project Family would be successful, and there were lots of signs that it was not going to take off so I gave it up. This took a year of trial and error, but a lot has been learned.
- You can't do everything you want to do. When inspiration strikes, it seems like you have all the time in the world. "I'll make time" you tell yourself, but with other obligations and especially an obligation to sleep, you can't do it all. In his book, Good to Great, Jim Collins writes a lot about focus. Diversifying is good, but only when investing. If you are trying to run a business, doing a lot of things kind-of-good, isn't a plan. Some car companies make the same vehicle five different ways, and this is not smart.
- If you want to grow professionally, it must happen slowly. As I've stepped away from my Project Family responsibilities, opportunities have come my way. And these are things I want to do and now have the time to do. God has blessed me.
- Notice where you are successful now. I wanted to start this non-profit because I wanted to be successful. I was so busy looking elsewhere, I didn't notice what I already had at my disposal for success, and I had forgotten about previous triumphs.
- If your mind is elsewhere, others will notice. With all of these responsibilities, I was constantly thinking about what else I should be doing. This comes from being driven but while the will is there to continue, it is often blind to the reality of what the body and spirit can take. My wife is glad she has her husband back.
- You couldn't have told me this a year ago. While this is all terribly obvious now, it was not last spring. David wrote in the book of Psalms about his woes and his valleys because he'd been there. I would have always wondered, "what if I'd tried." Now I know. If you're trying out anything new, acknowledge the risks, the benefits, and have the strength to say "stop" when all signs are telling you to.
To my ministry friends and others who are trying to positively affect the world, here's something I said at the start of my endeavor and I'm saying to you now. Don't sacrifice your own family to save everyone else's.
Thanks to all those who helped with Project Family, and be looking for my work here at In Search for More and with Dale Sadler Family Counseling Services.
