“All quests worth undertaking … require audacity. And willpower. (Of course.) And persistence. (Of course.) But frankly, a persistent misreading of the odds.” ~ Tom Peters
The History Channel is running a series called America: The Story of Us. In each episode, the series talks about a specific chapter of American History. VSL highlighted it last week in their daily listing and I added it to my calendar. I could always use a little more history in my life.
I saw the series premiere and thought about how unlikely it was that we’d ever become a nation. The odds of success at the beginning of the Revolution had to be near zero. We are the most unlikely story ever told, and lived. This week I’ve been thinking about that episode in the context of pursuing my most unlikely dreams. The quote above by Tom Peters showed up in my inbox, and it reminded me how much courage comes from consistently misreading the odds, or seeing them and paying them no mind. If the people who fought for our early nation got out some paper, drew up a business plan, and calculated the NPV of America, risk factors and all, we’d have British accents.
I’m not suggesting that we throw every caution and hesitation to the wind. I’m suggesting that we have this one life, this one opportunity to do something extraordinary. People may not understand where we’re going. They may not understand why we’re making certain choices or taking a chance on a dream. That’s okay. They don’t need to understand. They’re crunching numbers and drawing up pro-cons lists and calculating odds. You’re out there living the life that you want to live, the way you want to live it. And in that scenario, there’s so such things as odds. You either live fully, or you don’t.
Published by Christa Avampato
The short of it:
Writer. Health, education, and art advocate. Theater and film producer. Visual artist. Product geek. Proud alumnae of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA). Inspired by ancient wisdom & modern tech. Proliferator of goodness. Opener of doors. Friend to animals. Fan of creative work in all its wondrous forms. I use my business skills to create passion projects that build a better world. I’ve been called the happiest New Yorker, and I try hard to live up to that title every day.
The long of it:
My career has stretched across Capitol Hill, Broadway theatre, education, nonprofit fundraising, health and wellness, and Fortune 500 companies in retail, media, entertainment, technology, and financial services. I’ve been a product developer and product manager, theater manager, strategic consultant, marketer, voice over artist, , teacher, and fundraiser. I use my business and storytelling to support and sustain passion projects that build a better world. In every experience, I’ve used my sense of and respect for elegant design to develop meaningful products, services, programs, and events.
While building a business career, I also built a strong portfolio as a journalist, novelist, freelance writer, interviewer, presenter, and public speaker. My writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, PBS.org, Boston.com, Royal Media Partners publications, and The Motley Fool on a wide range of topics including business, technology, science, health, education, culture, and lifestyle. I have also been an invited speaker at SXSW, Teach for America, Avon headquarters, Games for Change, NYU, Columbia University, Hunter College, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The first book in my young adult book series, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was acquired by a publisher and launched in November 2017. I’m currently working on the second book in the series.
A recovering multi-tasker, I’m equally at home in front of my Mac, on my yoga mat, walking my rescue dog, Phineas, traveling with a purpose, or practicing the high-art of people watching. I also cut up small bits of paper and put them back together as a collage artist.
My company:
I’m bringing together all of my business and creative career paths as the Founder of Double or Nothing Media:
• I craft products, programs, and projects that make a difference;
• I build the business plans that make what I craft financially sustainable;
• I tell the stories that matter about the people, places, and products that inspire me.
Follow my adventures on Twitter at https://twitter.com/christanyc and Instagram at https://instagram.com/christarosenyc.
View all posts by Christa Avampato
“All quests worth undertaking … require audacity. And willpower. (Of course.) And persistence. (Of course.) But frankly, a persistent misreading of the odds.” ~ Tom Peters
Christa Avampato 
Christa:
Once again, it is remarkable how much we have in common.
This is a brilliant post. Thanks for your contribution.
Tom Peters and Peter Drucker are two of my favorite authors: they write books about business and management.
You should read–was it (if memory serves)–“In Search of Excellence.” What an inspiring book that deals with the scenarios you just mentioned, but in a business context.
In fact, if you want to be an entrepreneur soon, the works of Tom Peters should be a must read. Peters is synonymous with creativity: he left a prestigious consulting firm at a young age to march to the beat of his own drummer. Cheers to you and people like him.
And you are right: too many bright ideas never amount to anything due to a phenomenon known as “paralysis through analysis.” We don’t achieve dreams by sticking to a business plan and figuring out ways why our ideas can’t work.
You have to be willing to go out on a limb and catch the bull by the horns. That’s what separates the lion from the flock of sheep. If only management people paid more attention to the role and function of intuition…maybe entrepreneurs could be given the benefit of the doubt.
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They are two of my favorite authors as well, Archan! I am so glad we’re able to connect on this blog and share so much of our lives here. I like the idea of having a plan, and making it flexible enough so that it allows for changes as we get more information about ourselves and the world around us. That image of grabbing the bull by the horns as the calculated risks that entrepreneurs take. Well-said.
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Hi Christa,
Another excellent topic!
Seven years ago four friends and I left our comfortable jobs and established life in Arizona for a new start in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Most everyone we knew thought we were crazy (at some points along the way I thought we were crazy!) However, we were on a quest to establish an esoteric school dedicated to encouraging meditation, Soulful Living and the evolution of human consciousness and, after a lot of meditation, discussion and some research, we knew picking up and moving was what we needed to do. Once we made up our minds, doors just started to open. I think Life likes us to live on the cutting edge of inspiration.
It’s been my experience that as Souls or the Authentic Self, we want to be learning and growing, so that we can bring more wisdom into everyday life. As personalities, we tend to calculate the odds, because we want to be safe.
I like what Archan said about being willing to go out on a limb, and I’m glad he brought up the idea of business plans. I like the idea of having a flexible plan in place so that inspirations and daring can come forth into successful, practical living/projects.
Namaste, Jan
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Hi Jan,
What a cool adventure to Arizona! Yes, I agree that as the Authentic Self, we absolutely want to keep learning and growing. And I find that the more I learn and grow the more I want to keep learning and growing! It’s a lovely cycle.
Namaste,
C
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Christa, thanks for reminding me to live fully which sometimes requires misreading the odds! I hope all is well with you.
Best,
Amber
(Toys R Us)
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Hi Amber! Thanks so much for reading and for your comment. How great to hear from you! How are you doing at TRU?
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