Building oneself as a person is a long list of beliefs and values

Introduce yourself in a few sentences..

I have always been curious why people do what they do, or why I react the way I do to the things that happen.

In search of answers, I went to Silicon Valley and started studying mindset modeling in 2014.

My name is Manuela Draganova. My topic is mindset. I conduct trainings and workshops on topics related to building a strong inner mindset. Professional coach (PCC), accredited by the International Coaching Federation. Co-founder of Generative Mindset ILC. Author of the bilingual novel “ANA” or “Ana’s Way”.

What did you dream of becoming in your childhood?

I didn’t dream of a specific profession or things. I dreamed of traveling.

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

First-year student. I was a hostess at an exhibition for cars at NDK. At that time, I wrote my first cover letter to the manager of a Belgian company that had representation in our country. I’m talking about the 90s.

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 of information, and inspiration at this stage of our human development?

Building oneself as a person. This begins in childhood with the formation of our perceptions of the world - right and wrong, good and bad, fast and slow, hard and easy, beautiful and ugly, expensive and cheap, possible and impossible, love, affection, care, justice, honesty… A long list of beliefs and values. All of them shape our mindset. From there, our character. That’s why some people are gentle, others are harsh. Some are generous, while others are stingy.

The main factors in shaping us as individuals are the people from our closest environment (parents and relatives) and the environment we live in (friends, school). But also important are the era, the state, traditions, society, media, even the climate. Some personality traits are tolerated among pygmies, different among Eskimos.

I believe that the recipe for curiosity is to keep the childlike feeling alive within us. Not to rush to judge and label, but to strive to understand and know, like a child. This makes life more interesting, more colorful. It turns into an endless source of information and inspiration.

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

Yes, I have changed. Some changes occurred out of necessity, but at the same time, I managed to consciously change many of my qualities by my choice.

Whose decision was it where to pursue higher education and what to study?

Mine. Thoughtless and unfounded. Electrical engineering! That’s why I organized to finish a second degree in “Management and Marketing” in parallel. This second discipline was already my thing. It provided me with a good career. Until I became passionate about mindset modeling and started everything from scratch.

Was this decision correct, viewed from today’s perspective?

Yes. I believe that every choice we make is the best we can do, according to the situation and depending on the resources we have at that moment. By resources, I don’t just mean financial, but time, information, knowledge, skills, inner mindset, health condition.

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

Everyone is excited about artificial intelligence. I use it, but I am excited about biological, human intelligence. And more specifically about everything that lies beyond our rational thought. I call it unconscious wisdom.

For example: We don’t think about our hearts beating, breathing, or blinking. Our body functions on autopilot. But sometimes a memory or a dream can change our state. As long as we learn to select them.

What about instincts? They do not obey reason. When our instincts kick in, we act instinctively, not rationally. How can we take them into account and even use them to our advantage?

Habits also no longer need our thinking. At first, they needed it while we mastered a skill, but then we do things mechanically. This is how we have learned literally everything in our lives. To write, to calculate, to speak languages, to play instruments. All sports. Driving. Everything.

And finally, my main tool of work - the system of our inner beliefs. What makes me me, and you you. Our identity. Our understandings of the world and ourselves. Our worldview, i.e. our mindset. This is my special skill. To expand and remodel the thinking framework of the individual, so that we bring out the best to the surface. Carefully, delicately, and expediently.

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

I would upgrade, not change. I would like to pass on my knowledge and skills to passionate, bright people.

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

I have asked how simply they would describe what I do. They told me “Manuela, you make people feel good”.

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?

I constantly learn. I develop. I self-observe. I analyze myself. I respect and love myself, along with my shortcomings.

What are the most important conclusions you have drawn so far for maintaining proper communication considering the different characters of the people you meet daily - colleagues, friends, relatives?

Not to judge people. That is the most important thing. Another question is whether I agree or not.

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?

Of course, money is important. Even the Bible costs money. I and money in  my life have a romantic relationship. Sometimes they like me, sometimes they are offended by me. Then they forgive me and we hug again.

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

Take action. Be proactive. Even if you make a mistake, you will still be ahead in your personal evolution.