Meet Yevhen Shekera

We were lucky to catch up with Yevhen Shekera recently and have shared our conversation below.

Yevhen , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.

I dare to conjecture that asking general and specific questions in regard to one’s profession is very important. Developing curiosity towards the subject of interest and its different facets one may find very helpful. At least, I found it crucial in moments of being perplexed and not having a stable fulcrum. Something as simple as just asking those questions without necessary answering them or operating within a critical analysis may be very helpful to sort things out logically and find a purpose. I know many people have a diverse number of ways to cope with such matters. Therefore, I also found quite exciting to often leave my field and reach out to professionals in other fascinating disciplines to inquire them about their experience. Most importantly, a sense of one’s purpose should bring joy, interest, and a sense of path. Questions are very helpful. Acknowledging the fluidity of goals and of purpose and that they may change – asking questions perpetually and continuing the search I found very helpful.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

My name is Yevhen Shekera. I am Ukrainian actor and musician. Currently I am getting my MFA degree at the Juilliard School in New York City. Being an actor was my own choice and a well-thought decision. At some point I decided to commit to the craft and do as much as I can with it. I am also a songwriter. Soon I am finishing my 6th album and hopefully all of them will go into a full production. I plan a big project. I plan to move on with acting and music, as I believe that I may reach out to many people breaking down the barriers to help, support and contribute to the overall unity of people. Especially, it is important nowadays as my country is dealing with a disastrous war and the whole world is experiencing cataclysms and changes. I am really hoping that in the future the characters I create both on screen and on stage, and songs I write will help other people to cope with their daily lives and feel happier overall and become inspired to live to their fullest potential.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

These three come to my mind as of today:

1. Self-education and development.
2. Planning and strategy.
3. Dedication.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

I once heard that a good rest is a change of activity. Indeed, it might seem that to rest sometimes may mean doing nothing which is also true. Yet, I find that whenever I feel overwhelmed, changing one activity to another may help to process information and to rest better. To switch focus in doing something completely the opposite.