We were lucky to catch up with Christina Ness recently and have shared our conversation below.
Christina, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
My optimism is learned optimism, and I think it’s a mindset that anyone can train themselves to have. When I first started off doing startups and working in the entertainment industry I spent a lot of time looking at why things couldn’t or wouldn’t work, mostly due to nerves. A mentor and close friend of mine pulled me aside one day and taught me that both excitement and anxiety trigger the same part of our brain, and encouraged me to try to slightly shift my mindset towards excitement re: what could go right. From there, I started looking for the good in things and also looking at things to be grateful for each day. So, instead of telling myself, “my chances are so low of success that I might as well not even try”, I would reframe that (and sometimes even actually write it out) to “I get to wake up and do my startup, and how cool would it be if it succeeded?” Just that small change, and practicing that shift day after day eventually changed my outlook for good. I believe that optimism is truly a choice, and that anyone can find it if they try.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I currently run a tech startup called Evenigo that puts ticketed events, deals and drops on people’s personal calendars.
It’s such an exciting project because it ensures that people don’t miss their favorite moments with their friends and family, as well as their favorite deals of the year. We’ve recently been revamping some features as well, so that people will now receive relevant suggestions in their local area.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
This is a great question. I think three things that have been super impactful are:
1) Building different skillsets. Especially in entrepreneurship, it’s really helpful to be a generalist in a number of areas or have a willingness to learn. In my current role, I need to understand finance, work on UI/ UX design, create social media content, and then conduct outreach. Building different skillsets can help you save a lot of time, a lot of money, and help you land the side gig that you need to cover expenses while you’re building. It can also be a lot of fun because you might come across a new hobby that you enjoy doing!
2) Persistence. I like to think of myself as “pleasantly aggressive,” meaning that I don’t give up on dreams very easily, but I also don’t hesitate to ask for help or opportunities where I need them. Starting a business is an uphill battle, and you’re going to get a lot of “no’s” before you get to a “yes.” Things like closing a deal or creating a good product often take time and a few tries. If you’re not there yet, keep going, and if that doesn’t work, try something new.
3) Lean into the unknown. If you find yourself working on a project that isn’t in line with your traditional skillset (and maybe doesn’t make sense with your current job), lean into it, and learn as much about it as you can… You may find yourself needing that exact thing you’re learning sometime down the road.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
I’m a big believer in practicing gratitude. So much of being an entrepreneur is learning how to manage the highs and lows of everything. Writing down three things you’re grateful for each day actually re-wires the neuro-pathways in your brain, and it helps reduce anxiety. So, whenever I’m super overwhelmed, I try to ground myself by finding something that day that I’m grateful for.
I’m also a big believer that fitness is your friend. Sometimes it’s really helpful to step away from your desk and just go for a short walk, or take a quick fitness class.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://evenigo.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christieness/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinaness23/
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