Stefan Zahov

My full name is Stefan Emilov Zahov, and actually because I work in many countries in my job, for Toastmasters and in my private life and this is why I love how everyone pronounces it according to their own country. Germans call me Stefan, in the UK they sometimes say Steve, so just use whatever is the common way in your country and I’ll be happy.

Most of the people believe I’m very extroverted, it’s not quite wrong but it’s also not entirely correct. When it comes to very deep feelings and very deep beliefs I am a complete introvert and there are many things I would tell no one.

I believe in the power of personality. When we try to develop or be better at something we look for improvements outside ourselves via trainers or books, but I believe that you already have the answers in your personality, you just have to ask yourself and use the power of your subconscious to be your best teacher.

Actually I have a lot of usual habits… but I love to sing in my car. I love driving my car because as a freelancer I spend one to two hours in my car every day so I love to listen to music and to sing, it’s so relaxing.

I love straciatella ice cream.

One irrational fear I have it to going up and speaking to girls I don’t know.

The application Evernote because it gives me great structure. It allows me to add notes and pictures and even write with my finger on the screen and organize it according to different criteria. I think it is a great tool to give me more structure in my life and my ideas.

Well I laugh for nothing so funny things happen every day. Three days ago I had a reservation to be team leader in a pharmacy for another pharmacist, and then in the middle of the night I realized this person has two pharmacies in two different cities and I had no idea where to go. So I sent a whatsapp message in the middle of the night and everything was answered in 5 minutes. I was so lucky pharmacists never sleep.

I think about the Formula1 driver Nico Rosberg, because he worked very hard for many years to become world champion just like his father was champion. And after winning he resigned. I love the idea of reaching a huge goal and then to resign.

A powerful picture and the short text “Just believe in yourself”. I really think that’s the key to everything.

Just like the billboard, believing in myself. That is really the key for success.

I love failures, I believe when we make failures we learn the most. For example, a few years back I was extremely in love with a woman but I was disappointed and it was very painful in the end, but that was the point when I had to ask myself “Is what I’m doing correct? I don’t really believe in myself and the result is really painful”. So this was the point when I started personal development and it was the moment zero, when my life started.

A bad recommendation I hear every day is to stick to your 9-5 job because it’s secure. Actually I believe this is the most secure way to be unhappy and there are people like me who do other things in the time when they are not in their 9-5 and eventually reduce that job.

First it’s very important to realize this is the case, because sometimes I don’t realize it. Then what’s important is to stop and take a short break, either with music or doing nothing. Then, analyze the situation, figuring out what’s the biggest problem, the second biggest problem, the third biggest problem and set priorities to solve them or remove them, and that works really well.

I absolutely love one book Tony Robins, called The Power Principle for Endless Energy, in which he describes the way to gain energy from what you do instead of losing energy. When I read the book I realized half the principles is something I already do and the other half sounds great and I need to apply it.

It’s a remix of two songs, Teletran – Get Tropical (Daft Punk + La Roux)

One day I discovered a bunch of youtube videos of people giving very good keynote speeches, and I felt a connection to those people so I went to one of my colleagues and asked how could I become a better speaker but not just through a seminar for a weekend but on regular basis,  and he said it was very simple, just go to Toastmasters. I went to Toastmasters Dortmund and it was a great experience which is why I signed up on the first day.

My favorite role is Table Topics speaker. At the beginning I was very afraid and unable to say something interesting. Now I just trust my first thought, just like in this interview, and it works perfectly, so I can discover new things about myself through Table Topics.

I love the filler word And: and this, and that, and yes!.

I love the power of the subconscious so instead of brainstorming on a white board, write a question on the white board, ask yourself this questions a few times and then go do something else for a few hours. Then come back to the board and depending how deep an important the questions is you can repeat this multiple times. After some time, you will have a very strong and powerful answer without having to brainstorm on paper.