career, creative process, creativity

Beginning: 4 Paths to Gaining Constructive Discontent

Christa Avampato

I was digging through the Problogger archives recently and came across this gem of a post: 9 Attitudes of Highly Creative People. I love these kinds fo posts for a few reasons: a) I’m a creativity hound, hence the subtitle of this blog, “Curating a Creative Life” and b) they never go out of style. Creative habits are trendy; they’re truths. What works today will work tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow. Just like that little black dress or that perfect feel-good pair of jeans. I love a classic.

Of the 9 attitudes that Darren Rowse, a.k.a. Problogger, discusses in this post, my favorite by far is “Constructive Discontent”. Give me the naysayers who have taken the time to come up with a host of better alternatives than the options currently on the table. I will gladly embrace them because I’m one of them. These are the people who turn ideas upside down, create disruptive new products and services, and live by the mantra “why not?” They are rebels with a cause – to make the world better.

4 Paths to Gain Constructive Discontent:
1.) Don’t accept that the way it is will be the way it will always is. In this new-fangled economy there is only one certainty – change, and plenty of it!

2.) Be a Hopeful Pessimist, or a Cynical Optimist. Even if it’s all going to hell at the moment, those with constructive discontent believe in their heart of hearts that it can and will be better in the not-so-distant future.

3.) You’re Part of the Solution. Believing that the choices you make and the positions that you take on a project can make a difference is key. If you have strong convictions, be prepared to back them up with actions.

4.) Be on record. Being on record with a unique p.o.v. can be tough. It takes confidence and courage, and in the end confidence and courage do create a healthier more productive system. Take the long-view.

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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.

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I'd love to know what you think of this post! Please leave a reply and I'll get back to you in a jiffy! ~ CRA

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