"If you think you can do it, or you think you can't do it, you are right." – Henry Ford
Poly-entrepreneur Paul Jenkins, Jr., has gadded about the world but the home state of Ford is his base. This week the restaurateur and owner of What Crepe? creperie writes on starving doubt.
Post 3: If Your Dream Doesn't Scare You, It's Not Big Enough
Posted By: Paul Jenkins, Jr.
Posted: 6/25/2011
"I dream my painting and paint my dream" - Vincent van Gogh
Now that you’ve discovered who you are, gathered the faith to believe in yourself and have removed self-doubt you have to do a little dreaming and a little doing.
It’s time to create the excellence that you want to be a part of. Envision the journey that it will take to achieve the feats that you desire. This journey is your blueprint. While the literal terrain may not always go as you have envisioned, remember that it’s the journey that creates the memories and value system you will use to enjoy your success. Embrace its intricacies and loops and turns. Success can be fickle and show favoritism but the journey you take to your destination will leave an indelible mark.
In creating a brand you must be conservative in practices and principals yet radical in thought and vision. Dream something bigger than life and do it! If your dream does not scare you, it's not big enough. Limitations live only in our minds; if we apply our imagination and work ethic the possibilities are limitless. Anything that you’ve ever done was first conceived in your mind. Imagine the very best and you’ll find yourself making it happen.
When you follow your dreams you lead others to theirs. While envisioning and imagining is an intricate part of developing your destiny it will only be as effective and fruitful as the work you put forth in churning production out of your imaginative beginnings. It will never be enough to simply dream. You owe it to yourself to make something real out of what you’ve imagined.
Stop trying and start doing. Trying will yield excuses, doing will yield results. The real joy of accomplishment is in the doing. To extend the shelf life of your joy you must continue doing. Figure out what your dream calls for and take complete responsibility for making it happen.
Step right in and get started. Of course you’ll make some mistakes along the way but you will have also obtained the value in the lessons they produce.
Once you decide that you’re going for the biggest, wildest dream your heart can imagine, it will take on a life of its own. You’ll begin to live and become what you think. This principle works both ways so avoid any relapses into self-doubt and discouragement. You will become attached to your dream. Nurture it as if it were a newborn. Much like the sleepless nights associated with early parenting, you will find yourself enjoying even the most frustrating days because you’ll accept it as part of the journey.
The best way to search for a brand is to create it. Stop looking in textbooks and look within you. Every textbook has an author and only you can pen your story. Start your search within. You’ll be surprised at your limitless abilities once you gain an understanding of yourself. That clear and lucid understanding will allow you to differentiate yourself from others and to rebound seamlessly from the hiccups you will experience.
My foundation, the Paul Jenkins Jr. Foundation, gives its firm support and advocacy to youth in Detroit’s inner city. Every year through my businesses I develop campaigns to raise funds to support meritorius youth initiatives as well as providing scholarships to deserving youths. I love that I can use my brand and my business as a tool to nurture the future of our city. I hope that I am encouraging them to dream big. They can witness an entrepreneur not too much older than them exercising faith, vision and tenacity. Dreaming, doing and giving back to those in Michigan who need a push to climb their mountains - it’s one of the most rewarding and gratifying parts of my profession.
From my days in Miami, California, and Las Vegas, I can honestly say creating a brand in Michigan was the most challenging and rewarding. These are towns of ideas and inspiration. All of the most successful designers, architects and restaurateurs visit these places to become inspired so it’s easy to introduce and develop ideas in these markets. The consumers support newness and embrace evolution. I’ve discovered in Michigan that uniqueness alone does not guarantee success. What makes you a success in Michigan is abiding by the foundational laws of the community: loyalty, humility supporting local businesses, providing value, and understanding.
I am so happy that I chose Michigan as the home base of my business ventures. I truly believe in Michigan and I want to play a part in any way I can in the revitalization of my hometown. Michigan supported me and I return the love by dreaming dreams for myself and the people who live here and working like mad to make them a reality.
Vibrations,
Paul Jenkins, Jr.