Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dora Endre. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Dora, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Interesting enough, I think a lot of my confidence comes from anxiety. By feeding irrational, rootless fears with concrete action, answers and motivation one tends to gain confidence.
When I was younger, positive feedback also helped raise my self-esteem. However, I seek less and less reassurance by now. Don’t misunderstand me, I am open to criticism and I regularly ask a handful of trusted people for their opinion. But I can also be objective with myself, take a step back, notice my own weaknesses and mistakes. This makes me better at being patient too, which normally helps with projects and most things in life. Patience has the magical ability to make things sweeter, slower, and somehow just fuller.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am a writer and director (SDC, IFTA) with a strong background in theatre, film and media. I enjoy taking on opportunities to work with new creative professionals, delving into challenging projects in different cultural and social contexts, and extending my range and skills. I also run my own video service company, DE Productions where we offer full film service as well as editing.
For the past years, I have been working primarily in Italy, Hungary and in the USA. Through that time, I have directed and produced pieces of movement theatre, comedy and Off-Broadway shows, one touring show and a musical as well as commercials, music videos, short movies, marketing and promo videos.
As a writer, I have worked on screenplays, research papers, reviews and articles. I have been contributing to the work of magazines such as Marie Claire, MovieWeb, Art Here Art Now, and Grand Prix 247.
My children’s book Magical Meadows (Rhymes and Mindfulness Exercises) was published last September. The second, expanded edition has just come out. It contains even more of the same – little poems and mindfulness practices – and new chapters specifically for parents adding a psychological and philosophical element to it all. The new edition is divided into five main sections; love, gratitude, worry, focus and presence. I hope every family can find something useful on the book’s journey from focus enhancing exercises through breathing meditations to practices in non-violent communication.
Currently I am also developing projects on high performing athletes. I believe there is much we can learn from sportsmen, from resilience to dedication, from fairness to self-discipline. Recently, I have been lucky enough to talk to athletes including wrestlers, NFL players and motorsport professionals. I must say their humbleness and down to earth nature is something to look up to as well. Incredible mindsets, incredible stories.
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?
I think what really works for me is taking things step-by-step, it keeps me engaged in the present moment and focused on details. Of course, I always have a final goal, an outcome I am moving towards. However, I keep those somewhat flexible. I think there are always a number of factors, which are important yet out of our control. Therefore, the ability to adapt to new scenarios and being resilient are must have skills. A sudden financial hardship, people jumping on board or leaving the ship, personal troubles, creative differences or even erupting wars…
I also believe that the majority of people do not invest enough energy and time into caring for themselves, getting to know who they are, why they are the way they are. They might drop “trendy phrases” and try to look cool in conversations or in posts through those, but that is about it. By getting equipped with tools and awareness I am sure, we can all be healthier and more balanced. It is a journey for all of us, of course. Personally, I have already grown into being conscious about putting plenty of “me time” aside, taking courses and reading books on the topic, finding happiness in stillness and being more present. I am currently working on channeling my energy in an efficient way and letting go of what and who does not serve me and my higher good. And if I feel the need, I know I can also talk to a psychologist or a performance coach. They can always provide plenty of food for thought.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
Oh, there have been so many! But a wonderful play called “The Tragedy of Man” stands out to me. I have read it at least a dozen times. There is this beautiful boldness radiating through the book, this non-conformism, this fresh voice that glues you to the page. It is like a treasure box, and every time you return to it, it gives you something new.
It is a thought-provoking, dream-like and deeply philosophical play. Adam and Eve, the central characters, travel through the course of history from Paradise through Ancient Rome to the cryptic future. Their guide is no other than the fallen angel, Lucifer, whose goal is to prove that human existence is completely meaningless.
To me, the book is a wild exploration on the emotional and behavioral palette of humans, the unbreakable relation between good and bad, on thesis and antithesis. Imre Madách wrote his masterpiece in less than a year, which is simply mind-boggling. And independently from the brutal hardships the author had endured in his life, now as an elderly man, he still has much hope in the future and in mankind. As The Lord says at the very end of the play: “I told you, man: fight, trust and be full of hope!”
Beautiful.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.doraendre.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/de_videoprods
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dora-endre
- Other: https://vimeo.com/user79413201
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C7RG7836?notRedirectToSDP=1&ref_=dbs_mng_calw_1&storeType=ebooks
