We recently connected with Aleksandra Milanova and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Aleksandra, 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?
Developing confidence is an ongoing journey for me, and I believe for everyone else out there.
Every day I devote time and attention to myself and I nurture my soul properly to ensure I maintain a healthy self-image. I constantly remind myself of who I am, what my core values are, and I check my motivation on a regular basis. Being a highly sensitive person, I couldn’t ignore any negative thoughts in my mind, even if I wanted to. I immediately address any negative feelings and try to process them, especially when I’m facing a challenge.
Building solid and healthy boundaries is another key aspect of maintaining a balanced confidence. I don’t engage with people blindly and I don’t accept everyone’s opinion of me without checking it first. Some people can offer criticism out of the kindness of their heart and help you correct course. But more often than not, at least in my experience, people’s criticism is only a reflection of their own insecurities that they are projecting on you. The ultimate objective is finding that balance and knowing what to accept and what to reject.
If anyone wants to assess their confidence, they should ask themselves what they think of other people. If a person is thinking that they’re better or worse in ANY aspect than any other person on the planet, they are unbalanced. Comparison is a sign of an unhealthy self-image. A strong, confident person doesn’t feel inferior or superior. We as humans are all made different in so many ways, but we all have equal value. We all have a purpose for being brought into this world and we all have our unique journey.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am an LA-based film/TV writer with a decade-long experience. I started my journey working as a Hollywood “gatekeeper” and judge for 7 years, analyzing creative material for notable companies, organizations, fellowships and competitions. Some of the most prestigious ones I judged for are NBC Writers on the Verge, Blumhouse Productions, Coverfly, Humanitas, ScreenCraft and others.
As a writer, in the past several years I wrote over 50 scripts, 30 of which have been produced and broadcast or screened nationally or internationally. I am currently focused on scripted comedy TV, but I have written across forms and genres throughout my career.
Most recently, I worked as a story consultant and producer on a comedy episode of an anthology web series titled Apartment 30: Get Him(bo) to the Church on Time. The YouTube premiere is in December 2023. Be sure to check it out and leave us a comment.
I am currently developing a comedy TV pilot and a feature film for an independent filmmaker. When I have the chance, I coach industry professionals to navigate Hollywood with ease.
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?
Personal development, people skills and knowing how to enjoy life.
Personal development is the number one factor that defines the level of success of any individual. I have found that my stories and my writing have gained more depth and the essence of each story has become clearer after I embarked on a serious personal development journey. Working on myself has transcended not only in my career, but in all other areas of my life. No matter your age or level of success, there is always space to grow. Get a coach, read a few self-help books, join a church. Strive to be better every day.
People skills are something I have mastered in my teenage years growing up in Macedonia. The social aspect in that part of Europe is huge, and that equipped me with a lot of self-confidence. Moving to the US demanded well developed people skills if I wanted to even dream of making it here. As in any other industry, relationships here are everything, and I think I did pretty well in that area. I often run into people who believe that they are introvert and cannot network or build relationships like other people can, but that’s untrue. These are all skills that can be learned and mastered over time. A lot of fears are holding people back from developing meaningful relationships, but sacrificing these fears is a necessary step to freedom.
Knowing how to enjoy life is another aspect that I found is key in my journey. As a European, I put enjoyment high on the priority list. I have met people in Hollywood who believe that life is (or needs to be) a struggle, and so they struggle. It’s just a misconception that can (and should) be remedied. Leaning into personal development is the best way to shifting your mindset and accepting enjoyment into your life.
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
My family, especially my brother. I am fortunate to have a brother who is a professional life coach, a mother who is the best mentor and a father who is an outstanding role model. They all have had a tremendous impact on me and helped me on my journey.
My brother is the one who I leaned on when facing some of the biggest challenges. He is so gifted and has superb analytical skills. He can pinpoint any problem, give you insight and offer a solution in one simple conversation. During the years when I was facing a lot of changes and challenges, my brother sustained a strong mindset and his guidance helped me persevere.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: aleksmila.jpg
Image Credits
Kushagra Jain Luis Avilés Goran Lozanovski
