Justin Dawkins

Updates from January, 2010

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  10 things to consider for 2010 (in no particular order)!

  Justin 3:06 pm on January 9, 2010 | 2 Permalink | Reply
  

  HAPPY NEW YEAR! Typically I don’t make New Year resolutions because I don’t like procrastination (why wait for a new year to make changes in your life) but I thought I’d share with you my personal goals for 2010 to maybe consider for yourself. Now I didn’t plan for there to be 10 items, I just wrote what was on my heart and it just so happened to be 10 things. I’m sure I could find more but here we go; 10 things to consider for 2010.

  1. Let’s start by doing something different this year!
  2. Let’s throw out conventional wisdom and shock the hell out of the World (literally)!
  3. Let’s earn more but consume less.
  4. Let’s take steps to build healthy communities and destroy poor habits.
  5. Let’s expect less of the World and anticipate more from God.
  6. Let’s work smarter and harder (when it’s time to work).
  7. Let’s forgive faster than we forget.
  8. Let’s allow prayer to be our first, second and third option but let us not be afraid to ask for help.
  9. Let’s be faithful to those we love (family, friends, significant anyone) and honest with ourselves.
  10. Though every move you make changes the World, let’s make sure each move is divinely ordered!

  What do you think? Will you join me? What would you add to the list?

 

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  Gift Idea: Give the gift of knowledge

  Justin 8:35 am on December 16, 2009 | 0 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: christmas, Family (3), Friends (4), gift idea, idea

  Well it’s been a few weeks but I figured there is no time like the present to suggest a few good gift ideas for the holiday season. Personally I’ve run into some road blocks when it comes to gift ideas, so I figured why not find a way to give my talents or business expertise instead of tangible items.

  Since we all share so many talents, why not give the gift of knowledge to one of your friends, family members, or maybe even a stranger. I personally plan to offer internet marketing strategy (as a service) and XHTML/CSS/javaScript classes to one of my friends. Now I’m not sure of how it will work out but I’ll let you know how it goes. In the mean time, what are some of your talents or gifts that you can offer someone? Is giving my talent a “real” gift?

 
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  The top 7 things I'm looking forward to over the next 365 days!

  Justin 12:48 pm on November 9, 2009 | 0 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: birthday wish, bizzyness, entreneurship, Family (3), Friends (4), my birthday (2)

  Happy birthday to me… happy birthday to me… happy birthday to Jdot (that’s me)… happy birthday to me! LOL!! Ok I promise no more singing!

  The real reason I’m writing is to talk about what I would like to see over the next 365 days. I don’t want to keep this post too long so I’ll just hop right in. Here are the top 7 things I’m looking forward to over the next year!

  • Continued business growth for Social Saints (my baby) and my other businesses – Business has been good, but I would like to see the business grow, and even bring on some additional partners within the coming months! Interested?
  • The revitalization of Bizzyness – As some of you may know Akuba and I created a website about 15 months ago called Bizzyness. The site is designed to be an online resource and conversation portal for couples who decide to explore the business world together. Though we still love the concept, the truth is we haven’t had much time lately to update it and keep it going so it is my personal desire to recharge the concept and get Bizzyness back on course!
  • Traveling a little more and living in a different city – I believe this is self explanatory. Any suggestions on where I should live or where I should travel to?
  • Helping my friends, and family establish their businesses – If you’ve known me more than a weeks, you know that I love business. It’s one of the things I’m passionate about and something I love to share with others. It is the desire to share that encourages me to encourage others to start businesses, so it is my wish to help them along the way.
  • Making progress on our family tree – My family tree (particularly on my father’s side) is very incomplete, so I plan to make some additional progress on that so that I can continue to learn more about my family and myself.
  • The arrival of baby Strickland – Two wonderful friends of mine were recently married and decided to start growing their family right away! A few weeks ago we all found out that they’re expecting and I’m so excited for them I can hardly contain myself. That’s one of the reasons Baby Strickland is on my list! Congratulations Ashley and Martavis! BTW… what do you think they’ll have? Boy or girl?
  • Love, Peace, and Healing – There is just so much going on in the World that I pray that there will be more love shared, more peace lived and more broken hearts and lives mended! From friends to family, to colleagues and total strangers the world simply needs more love, peace and healing.

  What do you think? What’s missing? You can be honest. What other milestones or goals should I add to this list?

  Thanks for tuning in and let me know your thoughts!

  -Justin

 
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  I dare you!

  Justin 8:00 am on November 3, 2009 | 1 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: Business, dare, Entrepreneurship (3)

  This isn’t my style, and to be honest I haven’t put much thought into this post but I think it’s time to see who is willing to take steps outside of the comfort zone and do something that is; often times stressful, completely uncomfortable, built on passion and faith, and filled with risk. I dare YOU to start a business.

  Now you may be saying; “Justin that’s easier said than done,” or “I’m not the entrepreneur type.” Well starting a business is easier said that done but everyone has a bit of entrepreneurship in them so to me this dare isn’t a stretch. No, I’m not daring you just because I can. I’m doing this out of love of business and due to the fact that we’re not getting any younger. Now I’m not saying we can’t take similar business risk when we’re older, it just becomes more difficult. So if you’re ever going to do it, why not now? Besides do you think the punch-clock promise is going to set you on the path of true wealth? It is possible but the odds are against you.

  Still not sure how to start one or what to start? Well I would say search your soul and find a way to share your passion with the World. Don’t worry about your limitations and don’t worry about how you’re going to get it off the ground. Focus on the business concept, polish it, think about it some more and just when you are the most apprehensive go after your first sale, put yourself out there and see what happens.

  I can understand your hesitation and believe me, I too was apprehensive but the rewards far outweigh the negative consequences associated with owning a business. After all if it fails you can always go back to doing what you were doing before. For those without a job and looking hard, why not devote a hour or two to your new business. It can’t hurt and you simply never know.

  Again this is a dare made in love and I’ll end it with a quote from girlfriends aunt. It sums up the attitude of many entrepreneurs in one short statement.

  The day I went in business for myself, is the day I stopped getting fired.

  Peace, Love, and Happiness,
  Justin

  P.S. If you come up with something please share it with me. I’d love to hear about it!

 
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  The first step to rediscovering yourself!

  Justin 3:24 am on October 25, 2009 | 2 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: dreaming, Entrepreneurship (3), Passion, self-discovery, startup

  Recently I’ve been approached by a few close friends requesting advice and insight into how to tap into their passions and strike while the irons hot! It is clear to them, and many others, that now is a perfect time to; start a new business, develop a concept, write a book or simply learn new things. Though the search for success in such troubling times seems to be a trending issue, I’ve simplified this pattern down to one things. People are simply searching for themselves and through finding themselves hope to discover true happiness. Now I’m sure we’ve all had moments where we’ve wanted more, prayed hard for it and wished even harder but most are not sure of where to start. Well I want to share with you what I believe to be the very first step to discovering yourself, finding that new job or simply pursuing your passion.

  The first step to rediscovering yourself is to move yourself out of the way and just dream. Don’t focus on your limitations, rather focus on envisioning how you want to impact the World. This means you don’t have to know how to build a social network to grow an online community, or how to cook to write a cook book. Yes you should focus on something that you’re passionate about but you don’t necessarily have to be the one to do it all. Some of the best entrepreneurs know how to own and run a business, but not necessarily how to do every function of that business. Donald Trump owns multi-million dollar properties but likely doesn’t know how to design skyscrapers. What Mr. Trump does do well is buy, own and manage real estate. He takes risk confidently and believes that the opportunity for his success is dependent on his vision not his personal ability to draw building schematics. He is not concerned about the how, he dreams first and works to execute on the specifics after his vision is complete.

  Don’t believe such an abstract methodology can work for you? Well try this; Think about where Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey or even Steve Jobs would be if they were forced to execute on every facet of their respective businesses. Oprah likely doesn’t know how to operate the latest motion picture camera, yet she produces movies. Donald Trump likely doesn’t own a personal sewing machine, yet he markets and sells a line of designer ties. The point I’m getting at is remove yourself from the equation and focus on the dream without the proverbial glass ceiling.

  I can go on and on but I think I’ve said enough. What do you think? Can you get out of your own way so that you can discover the path to true happiness? Can you dream without focusing on your personal, often times least insignificant, short-comings? How will you rediscover yourself? What will the World remember you for?

 
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  Whoa!!! It's been way to long!

  Justin 1:57 am on September 11, 2008 | 1 Permalink | Reply
  Tags: engagement (2), General

  Well I thought I should take a minute to tell you that I am alive, and yes I do plan to update everyone soon on what’s been going on. Right now I am in transition and starting to get that ball rolling on some really great ideas.

  I would like to say congratulations to my friends Chris and Sydney as they were recently engaged and are about to embark on one of the greatest adventures of their lives. NO not marriage, planning the wedding! LOL!

  Anyway I will check back in soon with a little more umph… sorry to leave you hanging.