We recently connected with Alexandr Zelenskiy and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Alexandr, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
As counterintuitive as it may sound, I believe the key to cultivating a healthy self-esteem is through learning to accept constructive criticism. When I first started with music production, much of my confidence stemmed from pride, and I struggled to accept any sort of criticism about my work. However, over the years of honing my craft, I’ve learned the value of embracing different perspectives. Now, my confidence is rooted not just in pride but also in my proven track record. Today, I’m fortunate to have a community of people, including my colleagues, mentors, and friends, who offer genuine advice and inspiration. Exciting these individuals with my work continues to boost my self-esteem and gives me confidence in my pursuits.
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?
I am a music producer based out of Toronto, Canada. What I love about my job is its multifaceted nature. I get to be creative while writing and recording songs, be technical while shaping the tone and sonic world of the record, and be social by meeting new people, exchanging experiences, and organizing songwriting and recording sessions. It has it all, giving me a chance to switch gears and not get too caught up in a singular aspect of it. Some of the works I’m extremely proud of are being released within the next month, including VIDA VINCI – Under Oath, ToneFusion – La Mujer De La Mar, and Jenna – Empty Room. I can’t wait for everyone to hear it!
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?
Persistence, friendliness, and curiosity have proven to be important qualities on my journey thus far. Persistence has allowed me to continually enhance my production skills by consistently creating music week after week, regardless of the circumstances. As my father once wisely said, “The better pilot is not the one who flies longer flights, but the one who completes more flights.” Friendliness, in my opinion, is one of the most important qualities that you can have as a music producer. Building positive relationships creates a comfortable environment for others to express themselves, which is a fundamental aspect of any art form. Being approachable and friendly requires effort, but it pays off in both personal and professional realms.
Curiosity has been a catalyst for creativity in my life. Whether exploring music, artists, gear, or diverse subjects like science, history, or cooking, it allows my mind to wander into uncharted territories, drawing inspiration from unexpected sources.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
When I feel overwhelmed, I find it helpful to step back from everything and take a moment to talk to a family member or an old friend. This allows me to return to my work with a clearer head and a fresh perspective. I rely on my plans and to-do lists to cope with particularly overwhelming tasks. I try to anticipate and plan them out ahead of time so that, regardless of how I feel in the moment, I already have a plan of action to follow.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/its_sashaz/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/alexandrzelenskiy
Image Credits
Melisa Fadaee Tehrani, des, Erin Whitty, CARAS/iPhoto
