The career is a constant journey and a race with oneself

Introduce yourself in a few words…

My name is Tsvetomir Stefanov and I hold the position of Head of the “Communications, Digital Marketing and Event Management” department at the company concessionaire of Burgas Airport and Varna Airport - “Fraport Twin Star Airport Management” AD. I am a holder of numerous awards in the field of communications, but the greatest pleasure comes from the opportunity over the years to conduct trainings and public lectures dedicated to corporate protocol, business etiquette and career development, with which I can be helpful to hundreds of young professionals to improve themselves and successfully follow their chosen career paths.

How would you describe your career in a few words?

I would describe my career as a continuous journey and a race with myself towards self-improvement. A long-term process of building professional expertise, based on clearly defined goals and constant learning.

What was the most important choice that shaped your path?

The most important choice for me was the decision to trust my instinct and my personal preferences, even when they implied risk or a huge change in the direction of my career development. It was this choice that helped me build a career in which I feel capable, confident in myself, and in which I can invest all my energy and passion, now also in the direction of career consulting for young people.

What would you like to know at the beginning of your career, but no one told you?

At the beginning of my career, I would have liked someone to stop me and tell me how important and valuable mistakes actually are. And that they are far from being something scary and are not equivalent to failure, but are steps towards building a person on their path forward.
Initially, I viewed mistakes as something negative, but over time I realized that they carry the most valuable lessons and that true success comes from the ability to learn from them and to move forward wiser and more prepared, carrying the knowledge of how we dealt with them.

How can a person understand which profession is suitable for them?

There is no universal recipe for discovering the right profession – and I certainly do not believe that filling out a questionnaire can provide an answer to a question that even the person themselves is not yet ready to answer.
Some people know from an early age what they want to do, as was my case, while others need more time, which is absolutely nothing wrong with. The best way to find out which profession is suitable for you is to actively experiment and try different activities. I believe that practice, not just theory, can provide the most accurate answer as to whether a particular field of work is suitable for you. But the most important thing is to listen to your inner voice and give yourself enough time and space to work in different areas.

What skills do you think will be key in the next 10 years?

This is a question that many futurists and philosophers ponder. The truth is that it is difficult to predict, especially in such a rapidly developing and changing world. I conducted an experiment to ask the question on one of the platforms generated by artificial intelligence. And do you know what it answered? That key skills will be emotional intelligence, flexibility, and the ability to adapt to rapidly changing conditions. And to a large extent, I tend to agree, but the key skill for me will be the ability to conduct effective communication in multicultural teams, combining respect, efficiency, and empathy. This is precisely the thing that artificial intelligence still cannot replace humans in a work environment.

How to build a network of useful contacts without appearing interested?

My experience shows that the most successful and lasting professional contacts are built on the basis of sincerity. Instead of striving for one-sided benefits, we must be aware that building a contact is a two-way process and the focus is not only on us, but also on the other party. There is no way to build such a network of contacts without showing real interest in others, without listening to them, and without seeking ways to be helpful to them as well, just as they would be for us.

What is the biggest mistake you have made in your career, and what did you learn from it?

At the beginning of my career, I sometimes underestimated the power of the word “no”. I accepted too many commitments, driven by the desire to prove myself. This sometimes led to overload and loss of effectiveness. Over time, I realized that refusal is not a sign of weakness, but of maturity. I learned that you cannot be helpful to others if you do not take care of your own resilience.

How to recognize a toxic work environment and when is it time to leave?

A toxic environment is felt – one does not need to check it against a list of signs. The body and intuition naturally recognize it. It can manifest in various ways – constant tension, lack of respect, a culture of fear, or instilling a sense of guilt from your manager or colleagues, especially when you defend yourself and your work. All of these are clear “red flags”.
It is time to leave when we feel that we are starting to compromise ourselves and our values, just to stay.
I always advise young people not to forget, that a healthy work environment does not put you under constant psychological pressure to prove yourself, but gives you space to develop and feel supported – especially at the beginning of your career path.

What would you do differently if you could start over?

I may surprise some people with my answer, but I would not change anything at all. It is precisely the path I have walked so far – with all its difficulties, obstacles, and challenges – that has shaped me as a professional and brought me to the place I occupy today.

My advice is: do not dwell too much on the past and do not waste time on regrets or thoughts like: “What would it have been like?“. Instead, use your energy to set new goals and ask yourself: “What will it be?“.

How to maintain our motivation in moments of stagnation?

It is very important to remember that stagnation is just a signal, it is not the end! In such moments, I remind myself why I have started on my path – what the bigger picture is. Motivation does not always come from euphoria, sometimes it comes from small actions – a good idea, a conversation, a completed endeavor. It is important not to wait for inspiration, but to create conditions for it to appear. And one more important thing – absolutely everyone goes through moments of stagnation, it is not something rare. During such a period, give yourself time, without feeling guilty. Sometimes a pause is the best way to move forward!

How to achieve a balance between professional and personal life?

This remains “the question of questions” for the modern person. And if someone tells you that there is a universal recipe - they will just mislead you. There is no universal recommendation, but there are thousands of written advice on this topic, which, if a person starts to follow, a whole lifetime would not be enough for this goal. I also cannot claim for myself that I have discovered it completely, but I have realized that balance is not a static state – it is an active effort and a constant choice. For me, the key is in prioritization and clear boundaries. Not everything important is urgent, and not everything urgent is important! I am still learning the discipline to say “no” to things that disrupt my inner rhythm, so that I can say “yes” to the time with the people I love. Balance begins with the realization that we cannot be good professionals if we are not also fulfilled people!

When is it time to change our career, and not just the job?

When the feeling of dissatisfaction is deep and lasting, when even with a change of team, manager, or environment, the feeling of “this is not my place” remains – then comes the moment when a person must seek change. It is time to change careers when we do not find motivation within us to continue, but when we start to dream of another calling that we find more meaningful and closer to our hearts. Sometimes the answer is not “up” in the classical understanding of the hierarchical order, but “sideways” - often even in another field or industry.

If you had to give just one piece of advice to people, who are seeking success, what would it be?

Be professionals at work, but above all be people who can be relied upon, invest in knowledge, in ethics, and in your relationships with others. Success is not a moment, but a process – and it comes naturally when we focus not on how we look successful, but on what we actually contribute to ourselves, to our loved ones, and to our colleagues.
I love a quote by Albert Einstein, which wonderfully illustrates this: “Do not strive to be a successful person. Strive to be a valuable person.“
I believe, that it is precisely people of value who leave a mark – in their profession, in their environment, and in the lives of others.

What is your definition of “successful career”?

My definition of “successful career” is not measured only in titles, awards, money, or rapid ascent up the hierarchical ladder. For me, it is a path where, while walking, you have the feeling that you are doing something meaningful, that you are developing, and that you are positively influencing the world around you.
A successful career is one, where in the evening you come home with the feeling that you have contributed something valuable, without losing yourself along the way.
I like a thought by Maya Angelou, which wonderfully summarizes this: “Success is liking yourself, what you do, and how you do it.“
True success is quiet, confident, and resilient. And a person recognizes it the moment they do not seek recognition at every step, because they already carry success within themselves.