Yesterday I was talking to my therapist, Brian. I explained that while I’m proud of all of the personal work we’ve done that I still have so many things about myself that I want to improve, situations I’d like to handle with more grace, and areas of my life that I’d like to fix. He got quiet and said one of his magical phrases: “Let me give you a framework that I think will resonate with you. Working on yourself is a gift.” And that’s exactly what I needed to hear.
Most people never dig down into who they are. They stroll though life and get by, but don’t actually ever live. And I don’t blame them one bit – working on who we are and improving our character is the hardest work we can do because it forces us to see what we don’t like. And once we see it, we can’t unsee it. We actually have to do something about it. We have to change, and change is hard.
In the times when that work is most difficult, when we’re really looking at ourselves honestly to see ourselves in our entirety—the good, the bad, and the ugly—this kind of framework helps. It’s not easy nor comfortable for anyone to engage in self-improvement. But it’s worth it to see our grace grow. It’s worth it to see kindness and compassion trumping inferior actions. It’s worth it to hear the ego’s opinion and let it recede. We benefit from this work, and the world around us benefits, too. Everyone we come into contact with in any capacity is impacted by the work we do on ourselves. It’s the gift that keeps on giving to everyone. It’s a form of service. Yes, we’ve got to work for it, and with time and dedication it works for us, too.
So if you’re deep in the weeds of self-improvement and trying to figure out how to hack your way through the tangled jungle of fear, doubt, and frustration, just know that I’m right there with you. We can and will do this together.
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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Christa Avampato 