Act like the person you want to become

Introduce yourself in a few sentences..

My name is Vilislava Vetrenska, editor-in-chief of Agency "Focus". I am 27 years old and have been a journalist for nearly 6 years. I have experience in the field of domestic politics, energy, and healthcare. For several years, I was the host of a morning and daytime show on radio "Focus".

What did you dream of becoming in your childhood?

I dreamed of becoming a singer/musician, but life turned my plans upside down. If you had asked me back then if I thought I would be a journalist – the answer is a definite "no".

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

I earned my first money at the end of my first year at university. At that time, I worked in the field of trade. I don't really have an interesting incident, but at that time I really wanted to buy a nice coffee machine because I love drinking coffee. With my first salary, that's exactly what I did – I bought a coffee machine that I still use to this day. I might never throw it away, because it is a memory.

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 in this stage of our human development?

We need to have the motivation to build, in my opinion. And to improve ourselves. We all start from zero. Some with a more equal start than others, but we must prove ourselves throughout our lives and never stop learning. Artificial intelligence is increasingly entering our lives and work, so we need to learn to use it in our interest.

As individuals, we are shaped by the people we are surrounded by. They are our greatest example. And the people who give us a chance. I will never forget those who showed me how journalism is done and took me from an inexperienced student, showed me how to work and how to search for and learn information. A person should never forget where they came from and who helped them become who they are.

These same people are also our motivation. If we use them as an example, we start trying in every way to reach their level. This drives us to work harder and harder, and to never stop developing.

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

I do what needs to be done because it is my obligation. Depending on how I am treated, my attitude changes. I believe that things on both sides should be honest and equal – both what you give and what you receive in return. At the beginning of my development, I was very motivated to show what I can do, even if I received nothing in return. Now, when I already have a portfolio behind me and know what I can offer – things change and I value my work and knowledge more. But! There is always room for more development and we can always learn a lot. We should not live with the thought that we know and can do everything, but rather improve ourselves.

To this day, I am motivated to show my full potential where it is valued. If it is not respected – then it is not my place.

Whose decision was it where to pursue higher education and what to study? Was that decision correct, looking at it from today’s perspective?

The decision was mine and I think it was absolutely correct. I am from Plovdiv and I had to come to live alone in Sofia at the age of 18. This taught me discipline, responsibility, independence, and certain habits. It taught me to rely on myself and to think quickly in crisis situations.

It is a fact that managing on your own is difficult, but once you get used to it – everything becomes easier.

Regarding higher education – for me, it has always been mandatory, and the choice of what to study was mine.

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

My interests are very diverse. I love to exercise and eat healthily. I really enjoy observing trends on social media and the way different videos and reels are made. Overall, I am interested in marketing and creating products and content for social media and how this product can become successful and reach more people.

I also have interests in psychology and mainly – the behavior of people in different situations. What they perceive as right and what as wrong and how they are influenced by what is happening around them. Whether they would take a firm stance, or rather change their opinion according to the mood of society. Emotional intelligence is also included in all this and to what extent life has confronted us with certain situations, so we know how to decide in different circumstances.

Human nature and psychology are complex and actions are sometimes too influenced by emotions, which should not be the case. Especially considering the work environment. I have always been of the principle that feelings and emotions are left at the door at home and then we go to work, and later we bring them back. In the office, we gather not with people we like, but with those we work with and need to deliver a finished product. Many people do not understand this and think that they should be friends with everyone at work. No, that is not the case. We need to maintain a normal tone and human relationships for work to proceed. However, among Bulgarians, the mentality slightly prevails, which is not the case in the West, but there the hierarchy is more respected. Here – not so much.

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

If I had to change my profession, I would turn to marketing, trade, or branding.

They say that your 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 would like to hear that I have managed to give someone knowledge and they have drawn from my experience, BUT I would also like to hear what I CANNOT do. Generally, I am a big stubborn person and if someone tells me that I cannot do something, it takes me a short time to get motivated and show that I know how to learn it. I want to move up and build, my mistakes give me the drive to develop, and there are no flawless people.

We should always look for the problem first in ourselves, and then in others. This, in my opinion, builds a complete figure.

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

I try to give myself time to breathe and to diversify. In my profession, at least I am not bored – every day life confronts me with different cases, so I definitely have plenty to fill my free time.

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?

You should not let emotion take over you, and that is perhaps the most correct thing for me from the perspective of a work environment. And you should always think a few moves ahead and play out different situations in your head so that you are not surprised in the end. :)

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 important. Whoever says they are not – is probably lying. The world itself moves in such a way that makes us consider them important and no matter how much we might not want to – we cannot do without them. From a spiritual and personal perspective – family, support, and health come before them.

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

Act like the person you want to become. Sooner or later you will achieve it;

Do not try to please everyone – just do what you need to and consider right;

You should be good at asking questions, but also know when to be silent;

To risk and fail is always better than to wonder what could have happened.