Silvia Christmann helps you to be the CEO of your own life
My work combines the art of ambition with mindful leadership of your own life. I help you to be the CEO of your own life. I have successfully transformed the lives of many forward thinking entrepreneurs, innovation leaders, and purpose-driven CEOs, giving them frameworks to thrive.
I am a global citizen, a third culture kid and a nomad by heart. It’s what sparks my drive to create a world and business of my own. I run my highly successful business from the open road, relentlessly motivating people to inspire change with my infectious enthusiasm for life. I have taught taught workshops at Columbia University, given dynamic talks at conferences like Stand up for Passion and have been featured in many other publications, including Forbes and INC.
What is the scariest thing that happened to you while being an entrepreneur? How did you overcome it and what did you learn?
I failed a business in 2012 due to a badly chosen partnership. All of my worst fears came true. I lost a lot of money. I lost my self esteem, my business, my dreams…the vision of the life I wanted to create. And the shame around all of this was almost unbearable to carry. I was too embarrassed to admit defeat and I felt so alone in it. I was angry with myself and the world.
Luckily I have always been surrounded by entrepreneurs who love this journey and supported me in getting my mojo back. They taught me how to laugh at my mistakes and emotionally absorb the loss.It was so hard to recoup the money and get myself back on track. No doubt.
What I learned from it? I got to know new debt of despair, hope and compassion. I learned that failure doesn’t define me and that new opportunities will always come along. Life is 80% about showing up. So I had to get back up and show up – opportunities came.
Daring to dream again was the hardest part of all. Relearning to trust my own judgment was tough. When we take an honest look at where we got this ball rolling in the wrong direction – it sets us free. It’s the denial of this that keeps us stuck.
Is there one “rookie mistake” that you see new entrepreneurs make often?
Fear based rash decisions. Easy does it. Slow your roll and carefully evaluate opportunities from many angles.
What is failure?
To me failure is a temporary set back that gives you information on areas you need to improve upon. It’s not a lack of success. It’s a crucial stepping-stone to success. We cannot get there without making mistakes. How else would we learn? Entrepreneurial journey is the art of failing forward, failing fast and doing it over and over and over again.
Are there difficult times you go through? What inspires you?
Always – this entrepreneurial journey is paved with challenges (never a dull moment). I love surrounding myself with people who dare to care. True trailblazers who take you along with them when you find it hard to take the next step!
How as being an entrepreneur affected your life? How did it change the way you think about life?
It’s a constant roller coaster. It’s how I see life - An ever changing exciting adventure. I’ve never really had a day job so I can’t compare it. I daydream sometimes about a life with a full time job – it seems too serene and stable to me. I’m sure that is a complete myth; I could be wrong. I’ve never lived it so I can’t be sure.