I adapt my communication style according to the person in front of me

Introduce yourself in a few sentences..

My name is Tsvetelina, some call me Tsveti, while others – Lina. I am a mother of a (almost) five-year-old, rebellious and energetic Diva. 😊
After high school, I left to live abroad. Life took me to three countries on two continents, where I spent almost a decade.
In 2013, I returned with the intention of only finishing my thesis for my Master's in Organizational Behavior, but here I am still here. Ibelieve that Bulgaria offers many good opportunities for development.
My first higher education is in the field of hospitality and tourism, thus my professional path began. Since 2010, I have been focusing on training and development of people – this is my profession and meaning.
For almost the last two years, I have been working independently as a professional coach and trainer, with a special focus on topics such as parenting, impostor syndrome, well-being, and stress management.

What did you dream of becoming in your childhood?

Initially, I dreamed of becoming a professional dancer. I invented choreographies and for hours I danced in front of the mirror in the living room. In second or third grade, I already wanted to be a modeler – designer and seamstress. Back then, I was looking through the magazine “Burda” at my grandmother's and with scraps of fabric and scarves, I created my own designs.

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

I earned my first money in second or third grade, when during the summer vacation, my cousin and I helped in a workshop for sticking labels on caps. We received a wage that gave me a very satisfying feeling, although I don't remember exactly what I bought. An interesting story from later is that once, when I was working as a waitress, I received a tip of 100 Swiss francs (about 210 BGN) for serving mineral water. This surprised and slightly worried me, and the restaurant manager couldn't believe it.

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?

In my opinion, the four most important factors are: the family environment, the school and education, the social circle and friends, as well as the media and culture around us. Different experiences, encounters with people we perceive as role models and authorities also play an important role. To maintain curiosity, sources of information and inspiration, I find it extremely useful to be interested in the older and successful people around us – to seek mentors, talk to them, read about them, and analyze their actions and decisions.

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

When I was in my 20s, my main motivation was to prove myself and to be noticed through the quality and quantity of my work. I was seeking career advancement and a prestigious position. At a much later stage, I realized that I was on a path that was not mine. It is not wrong in general, but it does not correspond to my personal values. Today, I am motivated to create something real, meaningful, and profound – even if it is small, but it brings real benefits and change in the lives of others.

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

The decision was entirely mine. I chose my high school myself, even changed schools during my education. My higher education, a bachelor's degree in Management in hospitality and tourism, was the right choice. Although I no longer work in this field, I gained valuable lessons and I believe that I grew as a person. My Master's in Organizational Behavior still reflects my professional interests and activities.

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

I am deeply interested in the human – their thinking, behavior, and soul.

My skills are mainly professional, but since childhood, I have been attracted to art, thanks to the art club I attended. I love beautiful music, especially jazz. I love to read books, travel, and show curiosity about different cultures and culinary experiences. Recently, I also started knitting as a hobby.

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

I don't think I would change my profession - I chose it consciously and have been practicing it for 15 years. But on the other hand, it is very likely that I will add to my main profession. For example, I would open a small restaurant in a craft style, I would engage in something related to fashion and/or art.

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?

Yes, this statement sounds quite true to me. It is very nice to hear good words about ourselves – positive feedback. In most cases, however, this is not enough for me. I want to hear what I cannot… yet, what I am not so good at… yet, what I can improve. I am not sure what exactly I would like to hear, but I definitely want it to be something that will be said even when I am in the room.

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

In my opinion, these skills have always been key to success, but years ago they were not given so much publicity and were not recognized and understood. I love challenges and difficulties and strongly believe that without them, there is no growth and strengthening of the psyche. They make us think. No matter how difficult something is, when we try to cope, there comes a moment when we become better.

Regarding good shape – I strive to take care of my energy through proper and regular nutrition. I consult with experts in the field. I think food is our fuel and it is extremely important what we consume. I do not mean diets and only eating salads with quinoa, but clean and, as much as possible, real and unprocessed food. In contrast to my previous lifestyle – a maximum of 1-2 meals a day, a lot of caffeine and sweets – I think I am now in a much better stage. I no longer eat in front of my laptop or quickly, just to gulp down my lunch.

I also pay serious attention to my mental and emotional health – a topic that strongly interests me and I believe that we should work on building resilience. Sleep is very important to me – I do not function well without enough sleep. I also do focus exercises – another important topic for me.

Regarding mood – by nature, I am a person who is in a good mood most of the time. That’s how I function – I look at things from a positive perspective. However, there are also minor moments, or those of anger, sadness, despair. I give them space to “breathe,” but I also give them a short time to process and let go.

I love small pleasures in life – in this I am a bit of a bohemian.

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

Probably the most important conclusions are:
• I stopped trying to always prove my correctness;
• I adapt my communication style according to the person in front of me;
• I try to listen more than I speak – difficult, but important and possible.

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?

Recently, I quickly watched part of a foreign podcast. The guest shared something that caught my attention. To understand your attitude towards money, imagine the following: If money were a person and now entered the room, what would be your initial feeling? What would be your first thought? What does this person look like and what kind of person are they overall? I think this is a strong metaphor that one can reflect on.

Money is an important resource, but it is not the most important. For me, health and well-being come before financial means. Since childhood, my grandmother taught me that I should know 2 and 200.

It is important not to be guided solely by financial gain. If a person wants to achieve high income, that is commendable, but happiness and self-esteem should not depend on money.

I observe that when you first give and are helpful, success and financial reward come afterwards. How sufficient is money? This is a question to which the answer is individual.

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

There are probably many, but I would summarize it like this:

1.    We never accept that we have reached the maximum in our careers.

2.    Never think that we know everything and have reached the peak of our professionalism.

3.    Work is an essential part of life, so it is very important to find ways to love what we do and not forget to have fun even while working. 

Success and satisfaction on the path of the readers of Career Daily News!