When you have the opportunity to ask some of the most interesting people in the world about their lives, sometimes the most fascinating answers come from the simplest questions. The Thrive Questionnaire is an ongoing series that gives an intimate look inside the lives of some of the world’s most successful people.
Thrive Global: What’s the first thing you do when you get out of bed?
Eda Gunay: Try to do something to reconnect my mind to my body. If the weather is fine, I go for a walk on the sea coast or I practice Yoga Sun Salutations for 20 min.
TG: What gives you energy?
EG: My energy level is low when I lose my center. Breathing exercises help me find it and then I concentrate on my mission.
TG: What’s your secret life hack?
EG: I try to stay away from unnecessary information flow. And I write when I’m confused.
TG: Name a book that changed your life.
EG: Eva Illouz, Les sentiments du capitalism. I had read it during college and it made me question the relationship between the current socio-economical system and our own feelings that we believe belong to us. I conducted my master thesis on the subject; the social representation of the individual in psychological discourse on medias. It also indirectly inspired me to create a digital wellness company, Uplifers.
TG: Tell us about your relationship with your phone. Does it sleep with you?
EG: My phone is always on silent mode. I spare time to check messages, phone calls and e-mails and the leave the phone again. I limit my time on social media, and try not to get distracted.
TG: How do you deal with email?
EG: I usually answer my emails in the morning. I prioritize what is important to deal with during the day.
TG: You unexpectedly find 15 minutes in your day, what do you do with it?
EG: Try to find solitude, most likely walking outside.
TG: When was the last time you felt burned out and why?
EG: Before I feel burned out I get tired. I learned to get rest when I’m tired, to perform better later.
TG: When was the last time you felt you failed and how did you overcome it?
EG: I’m a little impatient person so I feel like I failed very often. But I remind myself that these failures will bring success over time if I learn my lesson and then keep going.
TG: Share a quote that you love and that gives you strength or peace.
EG: ‘Only from the heart can you touch the sky’ Rumi