I had two very vivid dreams while on vacation in Florida. They were so powerful that I truly feel like they were not just merely dreams, but messages. Being away from my home base opened up my mind to new possibilities and ideas. Not surprisingly, both of these dreams had to do with finding my life’s work. One was an affirmation of what I’ve known for some time but didn’t know how to articulate and the other had to do with options as I move forward. I’ll tell you about the first one today and the second one tomorrow.
My chance with The New York Times
I was interviewing to be the assistant to the Executive Editor of The New York Times, an institution that I treasure. For some reason, I decided to stop off and run an errand before going to the interview. My interview was at 5:30 and I looked down at my watch while finishing my errand and it read 5:36. I ended up getting to the interview at 5:50 and Bill Keller (the former editor who just stepped down last month) was waiting for me. He told me he was very disappointed in my tardiness though with some work I could probably make a good assistant. At first, I was horrified at being late (those of you who know me personally know of my great love for punctuality), and then I was horrified by the word “assistant”. I got up from the table, told Mr. Keller I wasn’t interested in being anyone’s assistant, and walked out of the building. It felt amazing.
No longer assistant material
This dream has real significance for a few reasons. If there is any institution that resonates with me for its history and commitment to excellence, it’s The New York Times and I am a huge fan of Bill Keller’s (despite his skepticism about social media). If I was disgusted by the thought of being his assistant, then I can’t really imagine signing up to be anyone’s assistant. I’m grateful for the time I spent as an assistant; I learned so much. And now those days are behind me. For everything, there is a season.
Love the work, love the result
This dream also made me realize that for my work to be truly satisfying, I have to love the work itself as much as the result of that work. I would never be an assistant at The New York Times because that is the kind of job that requires the commitment of someone’s entire life. I used to be a person who could do that; I certainly did that to work in professional theater and I ultimately left to get a life. Now, I guard my personal time as a prized possession. The only mission I’m professionally committed to now is my own with Compass Yoga. I love the work and results of yoga and its teaching.
Times change, and our priorities change right along with them. Now I’m meant to work for me.
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
I had two very vivid dreams while on vacation in Florida. They were so powerful that I truly feel like they were not just merely dreams, but messages. Being away from my home base opened up my mind to new possibilities and ideas. Not surprisingly, both of these dreams had to do with finding my life’s work. One was an affirmation of what I’ve known for some time but didn’t know how to articulate and the other had to do with options as I move forward. I’ll tell you about the first one today and the second one tomorrow. 
Christa Avampato 
Best of luck obtaining your dreams
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If anyone can realize their dreams, it would be you, CR. NOW .. as far as being an assistant- I LOVE IT (even whilst being bothered by the term ‘administrative assistant’ (which to me sounds like I cannot type a letter without instruction!))
Go get ’em CR. Glad Florida gave you time to think!(dream!)
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Um, BBJ, you are SERIOUSLY more than an assistant. What would that department do without you?! What would I do without you?!
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Christa,
See what I mean?
My point is, you had those dreams in Florida, that is, while you were on a vacation. Hence, the importance of downtime in your life.
That’s why I would like you to take time away from your busy schedule and engage in the things which liberate you from the mundane and trivial. I think we all need that, from time to time, in our lives.
In your case, it is great you are dreaming. Those dreams are your teachers from the beyond. Your subconscious is sending you a message. I don’t think a person like you would be a good “cultural fit” in any org. Not even the New York Times, which is great.
I look forward to the day when I can read your posts. In these posts, you will be describing what it feels like to be the owner of your own business and self-employed.
“A Day In the Life of Christa at Compass Yoga.” Like a compass, your business will point you in the right direction. Like Christopher Columbus, you will succeed in navigating uncharted waters for sure.
I hope you outlive us all and live a long and fruitful life. Namaste.
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While there is nothing wrong with assisting, it is done to both assist and (presumably) to learn from a master of some kind (though there are not as many of those in this world as most “masters” might think).
CR, you’ve been a thought-leader as long as I’ve known you. And assisting, even at a place like the NY Times, would simply kill you!
I’d suggest that rather than “leaving [that] hat behind,” you left it years ago and just realized it in a very insightful dream.
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Lon, you are too kind. It’s because of inspiring people like you that I can dream big.
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