We had the good fortune of connecting with Chrystal Castillo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chrystal, do you have any habits that you feel contribute to your effectiveness?
There are several habits that I have developed along the way that have helped me get to where I am. The 3 habits that have helped me the most 1. Not telling everyone my plans/moves. I believe telling others your plans is like giving your enemy a map of where you are headed. I do think that most people mean well but a lot times if we speak of our plan prematurely we end up either talking ourselves out of follow through or giving people power over our movements. It is wise to select a person for wise counsel and moral support. 2. Being present not perfect in every part of the process. I am a perfectionist so I spend a lot of time making sure I get everything right. However realize that a major part of success is learning. You don’t have to get everything right. If you want to go places you have never been you must be willing to risk not being perfect. Overtime you develop and get better. Trying to be perfect hinders you from getting where you are trying to go. 3. Be open to learning a new trade. Don’t limit yourself to what your title is…Learn all the different trades that would make your business go to the next level. Yes you can hire someone to do it for you but there’s nothing learning the ends and outs of every process that makes your business come together. There are so many different certification classes that are offered online. Some classes are free. Expand your knowledge don’t limit yourself. You can only go as far as your mind.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a word artist aka an author. I am also a mime. I believe that I have been created to affirm others through words and movement. I have always been someone that enjoys encouraging others. I would not be here today if it wasn’t for the many mentors that I have poured into my life along the way. One particularly is Pam Bluitt. As a child she saw my potential. I didn’t see it. .She gave me books to read that was beyond my understanding. I never understood why she would give me books that I could understand. I now realize that it was because she saw the road that was before me and wanted to prepare me. I miss her dearly. She recently gained wings. I wish she was here to read my published book. She would see the fruit of her sowing into me. No none of this has been easy. I mentioned before that I am perfectionist. A lot of the times I stand in my own way because I want everything to be perfect. This hasn’t been easy because I have been at war with myself. There were so many thoughts that led to me taken 10 steps back. I would think myself ” will they really read book? Am I really cut out for this? In order to overcome these thoughts I had stop looking at other people’s grass and begin to water my own. So many times we obese over what other people can do or what other people have but we loose sight of what we have. I have learned so many lessons along the way. The biggest lesson I have learned is ” humility.” Humility takes you far. I use to try mask myself and pretend that I knew everything but it just lead to frustration and failure. The moment that I decided to humble myself and learn is when I begin to blossom in what I was pursuing. I want the world to know that I am my brand. Meaning I not only try to produce products that affirm others but I am a living , walking , and breathing display of what I put out. I think need encouragement times and my goal is to affirm through words, movement and care. I myself grew up unsure of what I could do . I was consider delayed as a child. My high school counselor told me that I would not go to college and that I should just get a job at MacDonald’s. So I am very passionate about making sure that I express to others their worth through my words in my books. I want people to go far. I don’t want anyone to be stuck or hindered by their thoughts or comments from others. So brand is all about affirming others.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
For food I would take her to the mom and pop shops. for breakfast- Old West Cafe- Denton TX Lunch- Lupe’s -Bedford TX Dinner – The Indian Grill- Arlington TX For Activities Buttons for live Jazz – Fort Worth TX Improv for Comedy- Arlington TX Indoor Skydiving – Frisco TX Oasis Lake for live music on the lake- Grand Prairie TX

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I dedicate my shoutout to the organizations below: 1. Watersprings Media – Athena Shack and Latoyia Williams- They published my book Affirmed 2. Sherry Bronson Media – Sherry Bronson- She helped me level up when came to marketing my book and gave me tips on how to do things in excellence. 3. Fitness with LG- Lauren Gaskey- She is my personal trainer. She inspires me in so many ways. In sense she is like a mentor to me. I wouldn’t be where I am without her. There’s like having someone that roots for you. Other credit and recognition: 1, Antioch Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church-my home church. There are so many great people that poured into me. Antioch is where my faith foundation was build. 2. Ashley Gainer- My accountability partner. She has challenged me. Its good to have a friend that not only sees your potential but pushes you to reach beyond what they see.

Instagram: @Chrys_Castillobooks
Twitter: @Chrys_Castillo
Facebook: @chryscastillobooks

Image Credits
Sherry Bronson Media Watersprings Media House