Episode 111: Alexandra Dotcheva & Her Book, It Really Is Simple: A Holistic Approach to Self-Confidence -- A Practical Guide

Episode 111: Alexandra Dotcheva & Her Book, It Really Is Simple: A Holistic Approach to Self-Confidence -- A Practical Guide

Alexandra can speak from so many experiences when it comes to shifting from insecurity to confidence in life, work, or wherever you may find yourself. Her journey is one intersecting countries, cultures, and industries, from Bulgaria to Louisiana and Upstate New York to Arizona, while playing and earning a Doctorate of Musical Arts in violin, becoming a Registered Nurse, studying and specializing in martial arts, learning the in's and out's of real estate investing, eventually adding author and holistic coach to her life's resume.

As she shares throughout our conversation, once you trust yourself and lean into the uncomfortable and achieve a hard goal, each subsequent incremental goal comes closer within reach.

Because she's a holistic coach, her book covers five life aspects -- health, spirituality, career, finances, and relationships. Yes, these are varied areas, but they all have one thing in common: mindset. Alexandra's story demonstrates what you can achieve by (and learn from) utilizing a disciplined mindset in a myriad of fields and passions.

Mindset and its applicability to various areas in our lives are incredible. The discipline, accountability, and curiosity we tap into and build are transferable from one area of life to another.

In this conversation, we didn't dive into the deep focus of Alexandra's 30 years of work as a violinist, but if we had, I'm sure so many of us could have taken lessons away from the mindset, dedication, and commitment she demonstrated to that craft -- even Alexandra did, later switching out long and late hours of violin practice for studying to be a nurse, hours required and compounded due to the obstacle of language barrier.

Our insecurity can push us when we realize it's us against ourselves. Once you train your mind to focus in a certain way, to make fear and anxiety allies, and tap into your inner child's curiosity, the limits of what you can achieve really are yours to set.

CONVERSATION HIGHLIGHTS

• "...20 years of very poor self-confidence and self-esteem with never believing you would ever be able to accomplish even a fraction of what it is today."
• Becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable.
• Whether talking about health, career, or finances, moving forward is all about mindset.
• Fixating on one area of focus as "the problem," when it's really something completely different.
• Doing the one major thing that seems impossible, and the possibilities it can open up going forward.
• "...be very careful who you listen to because the influences in your life, they're very well-intentioned, but oftentimes they're wrong."
• What Black Belt Mentality means.
• Awakening the child in yourself in order to succeed.
• What it means to face yourself.
• Writing in your authentic, true voice.
• Burning certain bridges in order to prosper.
• Accomplishing dreams by breaking them down into smaller goals.
• How fear and anxiety work for you as friends and allies.

The MAIN QUESTION underlying my conversation with Alexandra is, Are you taking proactive steps to freedom by overcoming your insecurities and lack of confidence?

MENTIONED OR APPLICABLE BOOKS

• The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be by Jack Canfield
• The books of Dale Carnegie
• Creating Wealth: Retire in Ten Years Using Allen's Seven Principles of Wealth by Robert Allen

MENTIONED OR APPLICABLE PAST EPISODES

• Episode 30: Andrea Waltz & Go For No! Yes Is The Destination, No Is How You Get There
• Episode 52: Chris Felton & Think & Grow You: How To Get Out Of Your Own Way And Level Up Your Life
• Episode 79: Tom Hine, CFP?, CFS?, MBA & his book, The Balanced Wealth Approach: Secrets to Living Long and Living Rich.
• Episode 102: Jenn T. Grace, a Certified B Corp & Her Book, Publish Your Purpose: A Step-by-Step Guide to Write, Publish, and Grow Your Big Idea

ABOUT ALEXANDRA

Born into a musicians’ family in Bulgaria, Alexandra came to the United States as a graduate student in 2000 and earned a Doctor of Musical Arts in Violin Performance from Louisiana State University in 2007. In 2008, prompted by the financial crisis, she decided to pursue a career in nursing and has been practicing as an RN since 2011, with a strong passion for educating patients on acquiring optimal health. Her experience includes ICU, orthopedic trauma, and home care. In 2014, she began her investing career with a focus on rental real estate and, later on, options trading. She is the owner of three real estate businesses and a holistic coaching business.?Alexandra’s passion for health, martial arts, fitness, and financial independence, as well as her experience with the challenges of cultural integration prompted her to write the book, It Really Is Simple: A Holistic Approach to Self- Confidence, in which she shares her path to success in an effort to motivate readers to embrace change and pursue their dreams, in spite of fear and insecurity.

FIND ALEXANDRA

• Website: https://www.holisticselfconfidence.com?
• LinkedIn:?https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/alexandra-dotcheva/

YOUTUBE TIME STAMP

• 01:00 - Introduction & Bio
• 02:29 - Who are you today? Can you provide more information about your work?
• 13:20 - How did your path into your career look like, and what did it look like up until now?
• 23:41 - Alexandra's journey in Martial Arts.
• 26:39 - Alexandra's journey into confidence
• 28:51 - How does the work you're doing today reconcile to who you were as a child?
• 36:20 - What does leadership mean to you?
• 38:17 - Can you introduce us to the book we’re discussing?
• 47:23 - Can you provide a general overview of the book?
• 51.45 - Alexandra on spirituality
• 56:02 - What lessons have you taken away from the book?
• 58:30 - What’s next for your writing?
• 01:09:06 - What book has inspired you?
• 01:11:31 - What are you up to these days? (A way for guests to share and market their projects and work.)

About The Book Leads

On?The Book Leads?podcast, I speak to specialists and experts across various industries and from varied backgrounds to learn about the book that made an impact and left an impression on their work, life, and leadership. In the course of my conversation I also learn about my guest's background, experience, and work they're carrying out today.?

This series has become my Masterclass In Humanity. I'd love for you to join me and see what you take away from these conversations.

Learn more about The Book Leads and listen to past episodes:

• Watch?on?YouTube
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• Read About The Book Leads?–?Blog Post

About Me

I'm a?Leadership Performance Coach and Consultant?at Coach It Out, LLC (www.coachitout.com).?In addition to coaching, and as you can see above, I enjoy writing, podcasting, and speaking about leadership. Specifically, I work with clients to realize what they're all about when it comes to (1) new positions they've been hired or promoted into; and (2) rediscovering what they want out of their leadership, development, and career.

My signature talks include?Design Your Leadership! Nine Ways to Sharpen Your Leadership Brand In The Everyday, and?Platinum Networking: Designing A Unique Experience For Others In A World Of Disconnection.

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Reach out to me at?johnmjaramillo@coachitout.com.