In 2011 I started a publishing company called Scriblical Vibez Publishing. When I wrote out the business plan for Scriblical Vibez nearly five years ago, my plan was to publish my own works; and to help others publish theirs as well. Since then I have grown as an individual, a business, and a brand. Currently I work to create the life I want by choosing to be an entrepreneur and there is nothing like its reward.
I made the conscious decision to step out on faith and dare myself to create my life from the inside out. I’ve come to learn that stepping out on faith is not just a one time event it’s actually something that you do continuously. Daily my goal is to bring into existence the life that I’ve envisioned. Since this decision I’ve worked diligently to master me, my thoughts, and my actions; all while managing my time. Having the optimal life means knowing which specific actions will create the best results and bring me closer to the vision. I want to build a life that I could be proud of, filled with memories and priceless moments that would not only help in building my legacy but improving my quality of life. Although the process has taken time and some parts of the journey have been difficult, my mind has been focused on getting the lesson. You learn that there is always something more at stake. We must understand the lesson for what it is and not see it as punishment. There is always more at work in the grand scheme of life. The lessons you learn today may be the tools used for tomorrow. When you understand that each lesson is a key to unlocking a door to another level or dimension in your life or business, that’s when you learn how to use the key. I chose to use my key to unlock the door to entrepreneurship.
Although owning a business can be a lot of responsibility and scary at times; I knew that I wanted to make that step. I realized that a lot of people want to do “big” things in the world but forget that the biggest impact you make is within yourself first. Knowing this inspired me to start an “inner movement” as I worked on getting my entrepreneurial endeavors off the ground, so that I could become the best at what I was good at. This “inner movement” to cultivate self-love and self-growth from within became another key to unlocking everything that I would do in my personal and professional life.
When I started SVP (Scriblical Vibez Publishing) I didn’t know what the future would hold but I knew that I wanted to grow beyond my wildest dreams. I wanted to follow the desires of my heart and be successful at it. Besides desiring to write books with themes of self-love and self- growth, I wanted to leave a legacy to my family. Leaving a legacy for my children’s children would mean that I would change the course of all of our lives. Our family legacy would be the model for everything done thereafter for any of us. I knew leaving something of this magnitude would mean that I would have to test my limits and the possibilities every chance I got.
Self love is important to every aspect of our lives; especially when owning a business. Having a healthy sense of love for yourself gives you the ability to maximize your impact thus helping you to be confident. If you believe in what you’re doing you have the ability to gain supporters, fans, clients, and customers.
Self-love and self-growth come at the experience of self awareness. Self awareness in business is a key factor because it allows you to know your limits, the things you enjoy doing, and the things you would rather someone else do. This was one thing I had to learn. When I first started my business I would take on everything as I have always been opened to learning but I soon realized that there were some things I shouldn’t be doing because it took up too much of my time. As I grew I became more aware of what those tasks were and stayed away from them or hired someone else to do them.
In business, self growth makes you work differently than others because you know that in order to see your company grow you have to grow. Self-growth opens the door to another tool, self reliance. Growing isn’t always easy but someone who practices self-love can motivate and encourage themselves during this process whether others are there to do it or not. It’s not to say that we don’t need others just that we can depend upon ourselves because we love us enough to show up for everything in our life including business.
The beginning of SVP (Scriblical Vibez Publishing) meant something major was to come. On the way to major though, I learned that you must always be thankful for the things you’ve accomplished in between. This determines if you’ll receive more. Although thankful, I would sometimes forget during times when I wasn’t where I desired to be. From the beginning I thought that being open was enough, and I was right, it was. Being open to possibilities creates even more opportunities. Since starting SVP in 2011, I have started two other companies, but not before being a WeJay on an internet radio show. If I had not been open to living, my life would not have completely changed its direction. Every time it asks more of me I give it more. It’s not to say that I haven’t given more kicking and screaming but I was able to give life more because I wanted more of what life had to offer.
When you want more from life you understand that it is an opportunity that comes at the highest of rewards. This means that the stakes are even higher and that you have to learn quicker. You must know who you are, what you stand for, and what you believe. In an effort to be real, the decision to give more and to have more does not come without sacrifice.
I myself have had to make sacrifices that have not stopped short of losing those treasured people and moments. Giving more sometimes means that you are required to spend a lot of time creating opportunities and strategies for you and your business and not be able to attend every event that’s going on. Sometimes that’s the sacrifice, but in order to have the best results in the end; sometimes we can’t have it all in the beginning. That is not just hope speaking either. With every step of the way I have gotten confirmation even when things seem to have not gone as planned. It was later discovered that was the plan.
In life as we work toward the next level or dimension we have to be willing to stretch and seek to apply the lessons we have learned. We must use those lessons to make ourselves, our company or our brand better. It is through self-love and self-growth that we are able to do so. It’s no longer just about financial gain but about creating a work life balance so that we are successful in every area of life. What is money if you have no peace because you lack balance? Strengthening every area in our life is important; being a master of one area but not the others is not healthy. It perpetuates and breeds imbalance and deficiencies. Deficiencies leave you open and susceptible to the climate rather than the climate being susceptible and open to you.
As we speak of balance, today I sit here with “The Smooth Jazz All Stars Radio” station on Pandora, a huge Mahogany Teakwood candle burning, and my laptop. I’m in my element and feel like all is right with the world. For me, this is one aspect of balance: spending time with me. The other aspects of balance are spending time with a significant other and family. Of course, work life is another area on the wheel of balance. I’ve learned to define what time and balance looks like for each area and to be consistent. I used to spend more time working than I did in every other area which meant that as I was successful in business but I wasn’t able to fully deliver every time in my home life. Success to me now is being able to balance every area consistently.
Anytime that you are looking to master any of these qualities you must take a moment to access the situation. This was something that I’ve learned to do over the years. Assessing your situation isn’t a one time thing; it’s something you’ll have to do often to determine if you’re on the right path. I noticed that as the journey deepened and the dream got more defined the more I needed to reflect upon my life. Upon reflection I would think about my ability to do more and would ask myself “What does more look like?” I knew it was important to know what more looked like so I wouldn’t be surprised or caught off guard. In the past I have agreed to things before knowing what it entailed and have had a hard time manifesting them.
Today with self love and growth I utilize the tools that I have acquired in my arsenal to accomplish the more in my life. The reward has been personal and professional success.
Scriblical Vibez Publishing
Twitter: @scriblicalvibez
Eyeology INC
Twitter: @EyeologyINC
Author: David L. Watkins
