Set clear boundaries and stand up for your personal limits

Introduce yourself in a few sentences..

My name is Stefania Kocheva. I am an actress. For a year now, I have been attending creative writing courses and it is something like a new passion. I write stories, but I also have more ambitious dreams. I paint, I am preparing an exhibition. I love to travel and I do it at every opportunity. I am a crazy fan of extreme sports - I practice some, while I only watch others. I have a pilot friend who even let me pilot the Tsena, with which we flew almost every day at one point. I love variety and overcoming things that take your breath away. That's why my profession is such - almost every evening it takes my breath away around 19:30.:) 

What did you dream of becoming in your childhood years? 

Oh, what didn't I want? A doctor, an architect, an astronaut, a pilot, a firefighter, an archaeologist... to have a bar on the beach... Over the years, I wanted to try almost everything and I became an actress to be able to try... almost everything.

At what age did you earn your first money? Tell us an interesting story?

I earned my first money at 15 years old. I was an extra in an American film. To clarify, at that time I was thinking of becoming an architect, I stumbled upon these shoots almost by chance and I took it only as earning extra money for pocket money. And then something happened - I fell in love with life behind the camera, with this organized chaos and how all the people work like a common organism and love what they do. I fell in love and that was the beginning.

What are the main factors and examples that shape us as individuals at an early age and form our interests? What is Your recipe for curiosity, sources and wells of information and inspiration at this stage of our human development?

For me, the main factor is family, both at an early and later age. How parents shape you, what values they instill in you, what they teach you by their personal example. Then there is the family and the environment that you choose yourself - support, the ability to grow together, to rejoice in your successes. These are very important things. To be taught discipline, persistence, and that no one owes you anything, not even your mother and father. They are there to teach you, to build you, and to nurture you. To encourage you and to focus you on your talents. As well as to educate you, loving you and teaching you to love and respect yourself. To give you the freedom to choose the significant things in your life, to teach you to create your own boundaries and how to stand up for them. This makes you a confident and reliable person in every direction. From there on - you can do anything, as long as you want it strongly.

Curiosity is also taught by parents, again with their personal example. As a child, I read the most selected books, so everything was interesting to me. They picked them for me to engage me, not just to tick off the mandatory literature during the summer.

Has there been any significant difference in your perceptions in more mature age about what motivates you to do or not do something? 

Significant difference - no. I am learning to develop my will, not to let troubles stop my drive, my dreams, and my persistence. I am also learning patience, which is quite difficult for me.

Whose decision was it where to pursue higher education and what to study? Was that decision correct, looking back today?

The decision was entirely mine. I do not regret such things. That is exactly what had to happen to me.

Share more about your interests, knowledge, skills, and hobbies?

Besides writing, painting, and sports, I really love to craft things. I make jewelry, renovate furniture, and do all kinds of applied arts. 

Would you change your profession today and which areas of activity capture Your interest?

I would not change it, I would add others, for example, to enter the film-making percentage...

They say that personal branding is everything that people say about you when you are not in the same room with them. What would you like to hear today?

Maybe only that I am a good and loyal person and professional. Someone who can be trusted both in work and in personal life. 

Emotional intelligence, adaptability, and flexibility, as well as our soft skills are key conditions for success in recent years. How do you cope with the daily challenges of life to stay in good shape and mood?

Sports, meditation, staying away from negative people, and accepting situations as neutral, knowing that we give them meaning - positive or negative. As well as developing this so important and valuable emotional intelligence. 

What are the most important conclusions you have made so far about maintaining proper communication considering the different characters of the people you meet daily  – colleagues, friends, close ones? 

Fewer situations of dependency on people (if possible), not trying to change anyone, and precisely and clearly setting and standing up for personal boundaries. This, plus refraining from negative remarks about other people. 

What do you think about money? What is their influence on Your life? What is your advice to people who often ask themselves questions related to money and how sufficient they are?

Money is an extremely important thing in the material world we live in. It is important how they come to us, not to make big compromises with work, or at the expense of health, family, etc. But, it is also important not to be afraid of them and to think that they come with some kind of punishment. No! They are also neutral, there is no point in us putting a negative sign on them, that way we stop them from coming to us. 

What is the most valuable career advice you would give to people?

Loyalty, persistence, patience, and love!