We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Christian Johnson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Christian, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
There’s a quote that I love that is the perfect answer to this question. “Don’t compare someone else’s middle, to your beginning.” When you’re surrounded by so many incredibly talented, multifaceted, creative individuals and business owners, comparing yourself is bound to happen. I focus on where I am at this phase of my life and business, and do my best to have a mindset of abundance. I choose to believe in “community over competition” as we can all learn and grow together. Not one business will be exactly the same because not one person is the same. It’s up to us to decide how we show up in this world with the gifts and talents we were born with and have developed.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
Christian Nondys Johnson is a self-taught, website designer, photographer, and solo world traveler based in Hawaii, California, and beyond.
Her passion for travel and adventure is the driving force that led to the launch of Hawaii Adventure Portraits; an educational photography company that connects individuals with nature and focuses on highlighting beautiful dynamic backdrops that encompass storybook imagery.
With each session, she strives to create unforgettable photography experiences through connection, exploration, and creativity.
She’s also in the process of relaunching her website design business and expanding her team’s services to graphic design and social media marketing.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
I consider myself a quotes queen. I love listening to audiobooks about life, love, and business and find inspiration in their wisdom.
This is my quote of the year 2024:
“It’s very hard to have ideas, it’s very hard to put yourself out there, it’s very hard to be vulnerable, but those people who do that are the dreamers, the thinkers, and the creators. They are the magic people of the world.” — Amy Poehler
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Other quotes I deeply resonate with:
“Success isn’t always a straight line.”
“Somewhere in the distance; between now and not yet. Is a loving, successful, and happy individual reaching their goals and pursuing their passions.”
”The courage to be vulnerable is not about winning or losing. It’s about the courage to show up when you can’t predict the outcome.”
“When it comes to change, innovation, goals and dreams, you got to bet on yourself, and that bet starts with hearing the instinct to change and honoring it.”
“It’s very hard to show up as the person you want to be when you’re surrounded by an environment that makes you feel like a person you aren’t.”
“Every day you have a choice. You can turn toward the pull of your dreams or argue against it.”
“Perfectionism is not the path that leads us to our gifts or to our sense of purpose. It’s the detour.”
“When we trust that we live in an abundant universe and allow ourselves to give freely, we raise our frequency, strengthen our faith, and feel awesome. Thereby putting ourselves in the flow and the position to receive abundant amounts in return.”
“If you don’t start doing the things you don’t feel like doing, you will wake up one year from now in exactly the same place.”
“Find a group of people who challenge and inspire you, spend a lot of time with them, and it will change your life.”
“Every phase of your life and your career will require a completely different you.”
“When we let go of what isn’t right for us, we create space to discover what is.”
“There are two types of pain that you will go through in life. The pain of discipline, and the pain of regret. Discipline weighs ounces, while regret weighs tons.”
“You have been assigned this mountain so you can show others that it can be moved.”
“The problems we face today eventually turn into blessings in the review mirror of life.”
“It’s not about the goal or the dream you have, it’s about who you become along the way.”
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
At this phase marketing and consistency are the biggest challenges I’m facing. I’m not in a position where I can hire a marketing manager yet, so I’m taking the opportunity to push myself to learn another skill until I have enough revenue to hire a full-time social media manager. “Any area you’ve been strongly avoiding is the area that will help you grow.”
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nondys/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nondys/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-nondys-johnson/
