Yesterday a lovely and important email showed up in my inbox out of the blue. The United Cerebral Palsy of New York City chapter found the Compass Yoga website through our work with the New York Public Library and on Monday I am meeting with them to discuss the possibility of creating an adaptive yoga program for their constituents. I am passionate about serving differently-abled people and have been talking about this passion with all of you for years.
I tell you this new little tidbit for a variety of reasons that have absolutely nothing to do with this exciting and wonderful opportunity and everything to do with you as you build your own brand and business. Within this story are a number of incredibly valuable lessons for all of us.
1.) Figure out who you want to serve. I cannot stress this enough – you cannot and should not be all things to all people. There is a well-reasoned tendency for you to try. You don’t to miss an opportunity, particularly if it is for a worthy cause. People ask for your help. You’re good and kind person, and you have a whole lot of wonderful gifts to give. Now put all of that aside. Decide what you want your specific contribution to humanity to be. It’s not written in stone. You can change your mind down the road if you need to / want to. What you can’t do is run in every direction. Choose and go for it!
2.) With your direction chosen, put it out into the world. Write about it. Talk about it. Take pictures and shoot video about it. Tweet, FB, Pin it, Google+ it. Whatever it takes. You made choices and you’re ready to get out there and give the world your best version of you. Tell all of us that you’ve arrived – we want to know. And keep telling your story, over and over again to anyone and everyone.
3.) Straddle the line between impatient and patient. Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither is your reputation. However, you can’t rest on those lovely laurels of yours either. You’re reputation is a series of actions over a long period of time. You are literally swimming in opportunity. Pick up the bits and pieces that interest you, roll up your sleeves, and give them a whirl. You’ll see your small steps turn into big leaps if you stay focused and consistent.
Okay – stop reading and start doing. The people you are meant to serve are out there waiting for you. Go meet them.
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
Yesterday a lovely and important email showed up in my inbox out of the blue. The United Cerebral Palsy of New York City chapter found the Compass Yoga website through our work with the New York Public Library and on Monday I am meeting with them to discuss the possibility of creating an adaptive yoga program for their constituents. I am passionate about serving differently-abled people and have been talking about this passion with all of you for years.
Christa Avampato 