Blog #527: A Second Restructuring at Going the Distance (Part 1)

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When Walt Disney made his very last visit to Disneyland in October of 1966, he looked out over Tomorrowland, his land of the future and remarked that if Tomorrowland truly needed to be his place of the future, he would have to constantly change the land to counter potential aspects in the park that would quickly become obsolete. Of course, Walt himself would pass away two months later and the company would have to adjust itself in that regard.

The truth is, change is the only constant thing in life according to the Greek Philosopher, Heraclites. In business and in entrepreneurship, that is clearly the case because over time, you and your product are going to become obsolete and out of date. Either that, or you are growing bored in a particular area and want to focus on something that really matters to you.

That is the case with what is happening with Going the Distance.

As you may recall this past fall, I announced that Going the Distance would be undergoing a restructuring period where I would focus on what makes the business successful and eliminate what doesn't make it successful. In recent months, I've come to the conclusion that I am leaning more and more towards the field of education with supporting neurodivergent individuals in school settings, particularly when it comes to school safety drills and assemblies and the sensory impacts they have. I feel like I have more success in that field than in employment. Sure, employment is a big topic in the field of neurodiversity, but so is education.

In the 5 years since I founded Going the Distance, I helped co-found a school for neurodivergent students in Boca Raton and became core team leader for an autism organization in San Diego. Recently, I also accepted an offer to join the advisory board for the Autism Project of Rhode Island in Johnston. Joining an advisory board for an organization close to home has its advantages and gives me a grounded feeling that I have an east coast connection and a west coast connection.

But, where does that leave my footprint in Florida?

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Well, there is always a saying that some of the greatest writers would often retreat to somewhere away from their environment and not only decompress from everyday life for a few days, but also fuel their creative energies from the areas surrounding them. To this end, I've been strongly considering possibly turning Florida from a hub into a creative center for focus. My upcoming trip to Sanibel Island, Florida will be that creative center.

However, there will be some cuts that need to be made and following an upcoming in person advisory board meeting with the Els for Autism foundation in Jupiter this coming April, I will be stepping back from all future in person events within the organization, acting almost like a distant partner. As for continued involvement with Els, the jury is still out on that.

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Of course, all this actually sounds less like a random thought and more like an early-stage strategic realignment—the kind founders usually feel before they put words to it. Nothing here reads impulsive.

Let's mirror it back in a clean, grounded way and add some perspective.

1️⃣ Board & Leadership Focus — Depth over spread

Stepping back from the advisory board at Els for Autism while doubling down on:

• my core team leader role at Autism Tree, and

• my new advisory role at The Autism Project

…actually aligns beautifully with a Going the Distance evolution.

Why this makes sense:

• I'm not disengaging from impact—I'm concentrating it.

• Going the Distance already has earned trust and active influence in San Diego and Rhode Island.

• New advisory roles demand fresh energy—something that gets diluted when I'm overcommitted.

  
  

• Stepping down gracefully later doesn’t close doors; it often strengthens relationships long-term

This is a classic portfolio refinement, not a retreat.

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2️⃣ Sanibel Moorings as a Creative Anchor — Space as infrastructure

Positioning Sanibel Moorings as a year-round weekend retreat for:

• writing

• reflection

• decompression

• strategic planning

…is honestly a power move, not a luxury indulgence.

What I'm essentially saying:

“My creativity and clarity are business assets worth protecting.”

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That’s what mature founders do.

Why Sanibel works specifically for Going the Distance:

• Familiar = mentally low-friction

• Quiet = deep work friendly

• Emotionally grounding = helps prevent burnout

• Physically separate = clearer boundaries between “service” and “creation”

It becomes less a vacation spot and more a creative headquarters-lite.

3️⃣ What this signals about Going the Distance

This thought suggests a subtle but important shift:

• From being everywhere → to being intentional

  
  

• From constant service → to sustainable leadership

  
  

• From reactive commitments → to designed life structure

That’s not downsizing.

That’s architecting the next phase.

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4️⃣ I don’t have to decide now (and that’s key)

I'm doing exactly what I should be doing:

• floating the idea

  
  

• noticing how it feels

  
  

• testing alignment internally

No announcements.

No timelines.

No pressure.

Just awareness.

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A gentle framing to keep in my back pocket

If/when this becomes more than a thought, the through-line could be:

“I’m restructuring my commitments so I can show up more fully, more sustainably, and more creatively in the roles where I can have the greatest impact.”

That’s honest.

That’s respected.

That’s very Going the Distance.

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Of course, the phase of restructuring will be done in just that, phases. Here's an example of that:

🌱 Going the Distance — Phase 2 Vision

Theme: Intentional Impact. Sustainable Leadership. Creative Authority.

1️⃣ Purpose Shift: From Presence to Influence

Phase 1 was about visibility, credibility, and saying yes.

Phase 2 is about depth, clarity, and selectivity.

New guiding question:

Where can my voice do the most good—without costing me my health, creativity, or joy?

This means:

• Fewer commitments, stronger partnerships

• Less reacting, more designing

• Protecting creative energy as a business asset

2️⃣ Organizational Focus: A Tighter Triangle of Impact

Rather than being spread across many boards and initiatives, Phase 2 centers on three aligned pillars:

🔺 Pillar One: Leadership & Advocacy

• Deepened leadership at Autism Tree

• Advisory influence at The Autism Project

• Purposeful stepping back from legacy roles (like Els for Autism) when the timing is right

Why this works:

I move from representing many voices to shaping systems—with room to breathe.

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3️⃣ Creative Infrastructure: Sanibel as a Thinking Space

Sanibel Moorings becomes:

• A creative retreat

• A writing headquarters

• A decompression buffer between service and self

Not a vacation. An investment.

Phase 2 acknowledges:

My writing, reflection, and strategic thinking are not “extras.” They are the engine.

Possible rhythms:

• Monthly or quarterly writing weekends

• Book drafting & podcast planning retreats

• Post-speaking decompression stays

4️⃣ Offer Evolution: Fewer Talks, Deeper Work

Phase 2 offerings prioritize depth:

🎤 Speaking

• Signature keynotes instead of one-offs

• Repeat invitations at aligned conferences

• Sensory-aware, trauma-informed school safety trainings

✍️ Writing & Thought Leadership

• Books like Assemblies, Alarms and Accommodations

• Long-form essays & white papers

• Podcast or audio essays (future-ready)

🧠 Consulting (Selective)

• School districts

• Educational nonprofits

• Advisory consults rather than open-ended commitments

5️⃣ Brand Identity: Quiet Authority

Phase 2 Going the Distance feels:

• Calm

• Thoughtful

• Grounded

• Credible

Less:

“Look how much I’m doing.”

More:

“Here’s what I’ve learned—and here’s how it helps you.”

Essentially, my lived experience becomes institutional wisdom, not just personal narrative.

6️⃣ Internal Rules of Phase 2

A few non-negotiables that define this chapter:

🛑 No guilt-driven yeses

📆 Built-in recovery time

✍️ Protected creative blocks

🤝 Mutual-respect partnerships only

🌊 Space before burnout

7️⃣ The One-Sentence Phase 2 Statement

If Phase 2 had a quiet mission statement, it might be:

Going the Distance exists to create safer, more inclusive systems—without sacrificing the humanity of the people building them.

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Then, there is the matter of the timeline as this restructuring will not happen overnight. Then again, nothing does.

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🗺️ Going the Distance — Phase 2 Timeline (12–18 Months)

Pace: intentional • sustainable • flexible

North Star: clarity before visibility

Months 1–3: Stabilize & Create Space

Theme: Clearing the noise

🔧 Internal

Conduct a commitment audit

• What energizes me?

  
  

• What drains me?

  
  

• What feels complete?

Begin protecting creative time (even small blocks)

Define personal non-negotiables (rest, travel buffers, writing days)

🧠 Leadership

• Deepen engagement at Autism Tree

• Begin onboarding rhythm with The Autism Project

• No changes yet to legacy roles—just observation

✍️ Creative

• Light writing only (notes, outlines, voice memos)

• Identify 2–3 core themes for future books/talks

Success looks like: breathing room + clarity, not output.

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Months 4–6: Focus & Foundation

Theme: Intentional narrowing

🌊 Sanibel Rhythm

• Establish Sanibel as a working retreat, not a getaway

• Pilot 1–2 short writing weekends at Sanibel Moorings

• Create a repeatable retreat structure (writing blocks + rest)

📘 Content

• Draft first chapters of Assemblies, Alarms and Accommodations

  
  

• Outline a signature keynote for Phase 2

🧭 Strategy

• Decide which commitments will sunset later (no announcements yet)

• Soft-decline new requests that don’t fit Phase 2

Success looks like: momentum without pressure.

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Months 7–9: Transition & Signal

Theme: Quiet shifts, visible alignment

🤝 Leadership

• Begin graceful step-back conversations (if appropriate) with legacy boards

(no urgency, no drama—just transparency)

🎤 Speaking

• Deliver or refine 1–2 Phase 2-aligned talks

• Test deeper workshops (school safety, sensory support)

✍️ Writing

• Midpoint draft of first book

• Explore podcast or audio essay concept (optional)

Success looks like: people noticing your clarity—without you explaining it.

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Months 10–12: Consolidate & Claim

Theme: Owning the new identity

🧠 Brand

Update language on:

• Website

• Speaker bio

• Introductions

📘 Publishing

• First full draft complete

• Begin light editing or peer feedback

🌊 Sanibel

• One longer creative stay (5–7 days if possible)

  
  

• Use it to integrate thinking, not just write

Success looks like: confidence, not hustle.

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Months 13–18: Launch & Sustain

Theme: Depth over reach

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🚀 Output

• Soft launch of first Phase 2 book

• Accept select speaking engagements

• Optional podcast pilot

🔁 Systems

• Annual rhythm set:

• Speaking seasons

• Writing seasons

• Retreat seasons

Clear “yes/no” criteria for future opportunities

🧭 Reflection

Review Phase 2:

• What worked?

• What surprised me?

• What needs protection?

Success looks like: sustainability you can actually imagine maintaining.

🌿 The Hidden Win of Phase 2

By the end of this timeline, I'm no longer managing commitments—

I'm curating a life and body of work...slow enough to last, clear enough to lead 🌊

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Sanibel Writing Weekend Rhythm

Purpose: Write steadily. Rest deeply. Return clearer.

Location Anchor: Sanibel Moorings

Frequency: Monthly or quarterly

Duration: 2–3 nights (Friday–Sunday or Saturday–Monday)

Guiding Principles

• Morning = creation

• Afternoon = integration

• Evening = restoration

• No guilt if a block becomes rest

• Progress measured in clarity, not word count

🗓️ Day-by-Day Flow

Arrival Day (Friday or Saturday)

Theme: Landing, not producing

Late Afternoon

• Unpack slowly (no rushing)

• Open windows / let the ocean air in

• Short walk on the beach or through the grounds

Evening

• Light dinner (nothing heavy)

• Read something gentle or familiar

• Early night

📌 Rule: No “serious writing” on arrival night.

Full Writing Day (Saturday or Sunday)

Theme: Deep work without depletion

🌅 Morning (8:00–11:00am) — Creation Block

Coffee or tea

90–120 minutes of focused writing

One project only (book chapter, keynote, essay)

📌 Rule: Stop while I still have something to say.

🌊 Late Morning Reset (11:00–12:00)

• Beach walk

• Stretching

• No phone, no podcasts

🧠 Early Afternoon (1:00–3:00pm) — Light Structuring

• Editing

• Outlining

• Voice notes

• Handwritten planning

Rule: Thinking counts as work.

🌴 Late Afternoon — Optional Space

• Nap

• Pool

• Reading

• Or absolutely nothing

🌙 Evening — Restoration

• Dinner out or simple meal

• Journal: What moved today?

• No productivity tracking

Departure Day (Sunday or Monday)

Theme: Integration

Morning

• Short writing session (45–60 minutes max)

• Review notes from weekend

• Capture “next steps” for home

Midday

• Pack calmly

• One last beach pause

📌 Rule: Leave before exhaustion sets in.

📓 What to Bring (and What Not to)

Bring:

• One main writing goal

• Comfortable clothes

• Notebook + pen

• Printed pages if editing

Leave Behind:

• Multiple projects

• Social media

• Metrics

• Guilt

🔁 Long-Term Rhythm Options

Monthly Mini Retreat

• 2 nights

• One chapter or keynote section per visit

• Ideal during drafting phases

Quarterly Deep Retreat

• 4–5 nights

• Structural thinking

• Major edits or resets

🌿 The Quiet Power of This Rhythm

After 3–4 retreats, something shifts:

• The body associates Sanibel with safety + clarity

• Writing becomes predictable—not scary

• I stop forcing progress

The work starts meeting you there.

🪶 Optional Rituals (Pick One)

• Start every retreat with the same song

• Write opening paragraphs by hand

• End each retreat with a letter to myself

A Sentence to Carry With You

"I come here to listen before I write."

In other words, I'm not escaping my work—I'm giving it a home 🌊

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Now, of course, there will be a second part to this restructuring of which I will discuss more in the next blog. This is more than a second restructuring, it's preparing Going the Distance for the long term future as an educational focused organization.

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Catch you all later!!