What is the best thing that I love about my work?

As a kid, I would spend hours putting puzzle pieces together. Ironically, years later I apply those skills into my professional life. Currently, I work as a Content Manager at the agency where we roll out our clients’ digital projects in an agile environment. In this role, I bring content pieces together by applying my strong critical thinking & problem solving nature. I shore up conversations well, create a good flow for things to get done, I show compassion/understanding when needed and always make sure I stay on the same page with the team by raising important issues and highlighting risks when such I foresee. Most importantly, I am a person of a big picture – making sense of it, connecting dots and seeing the final result is what thrills me in this job. The same I apply, as a freelance career consultant. I enjoy working with people and helping them polish their story.

What is my idea of happiness?

To me happiness is daring to dream and care enough to bring changes. If I could describe happiness with a verb it would be = to create. It is a world of opportunities and it is up to us to decide what we focus on.

What is my greatest fear?

To wake up in the morning and feel empty and uninspired.

To have regrets of what I could have achieved

To be restricted in my freedom

To be in a situation where I would have to go against my life principles and values

What is the trait that I most deplore in myself?

I can’t simply close my eyes to the fake. It makes life harder at times. I wish people were more honest with themselves in the first place. When I see it, I speak up and not everyone is comfortable with the truth. This I wrote a while ago on my blog.

What is my greatest extravagance?

I am like modern arts – simple yet hard to read.

On what occasion would I lie?

When I know that the truth would hurt someone I care for

When I want to preserve my inner peace

When and where was I the happiest, in my work?

I am the happiest when I do my best to deliver quality work. Where? At a place where I am surrounded with like-minded people to give each other push to do even better.

If I could, what would I change about myself?

Overthinking. It is slooowly getting better. 😀

Where would I most like to live?

I live in Berlin. It was only a dream 10 years ago.

What is my most treasured possession?

A parcel with my mom’s handwriting.

What is my most marked characteristic?

Strong will, determination, endurance.

What is my most inspirational location, in my city?

Potsdamer Platz in Berlin. It’s a place surrounded with skyscrapers (quite rare here). It has a very futuristic vibe. I find it very artistic and inspirational.

What is my favorite place to eat and drink, in my city?

Don Xuan Center – a place for the best pho soup in Berlin. The dish #5 in the menu. Thank me later 😉

What books influenced my life and how?

“Linchpin” by Seth Godin – a revolutionary book that taught me seeing the work differently.

“The fifth agreement” by Don Miguel Ruiz – taught me to become more self-aware. The author talks about new agreements that bring us freedom and happiness.

“Always start with why” by Simon Sinek – I learned that not only in life but in business, too, every success should have the very foundation that start by answering “why”

“Sapiens” by Yuval Noah Harari revealed the importance of stories and their roles on how we perceive the world.

You Only Die Once. What music would I listen on my last day?

I plan only work. The rest I live. So I would live any emotion I would have at that moment.

Who is my hero or heroine in fiction?

Off the top of my head, I would say Tom Sawyer – a very bold and adventurous boy. I can relate myself to those traits.

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life?

My grandma. She’s 82, an up-to-date associate professor in Biology at the State University in Baku (Azerbaijan). She is positive & full of life, eager to learn & improve and very tech-savvy (hosting her classes online in Corona times!). I admire her dedication and passion to what she’s doing. True hero. If curious, find my blog post I wrote about her.

Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime?

Castaway. I think the ones that master themselves are invincible.

What role does art play in my life and work?

It is very essential – music, books, people. I get my inspiration in any form as long as it carries some conflict with my views and pushes me to think deeper. This is how I started blogging, hosting meetups for freelancers and one project is still cooking in my head.

What do the words ‘You are the storyteller of your own life’ to me?

It means that no one but me is responsible for my life. My thoughts create my reality. So I take care.

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime?

My dad. He always says “Fidan – she knows what she’s doing. I know she will figure it out.”

Which people or companies would I like to work with in 2020?

I can see myself working in the tech or pharmaceutical industries where I bring my solutions. From giant companies to small startups – as long as I can resonate with their “why”.

What do the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me?

It is true. I believe it comes natural when passion is a lifestyle rather than a goal. You can integrate that strong feeling into small things daily – like cooking, reading, exercising, etc. Then you create a habit of living a more meaningful life.

How can you contact me?

You can reach out to me on Linkedin or follow my blog: fidan.home.blog

Here follows a message of Peter de Kuster, founder of The Heroine’s Journey