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?
Anne Biging: I think of a positive thought that reaches beyond my daily to do“ list that gives me stability and comfort. This is followed by a minimum of 30 min. of yoga practice and 30 min.of meditation.
TG: What gives you energy?
AB: Honestly, I love my work with global business people and enjoy the diversity so much. Each human being brings glorious gifts to our lives. But deep down, I am most satisfied when I can do something that benefits others. It makes me feel content and gives me a reason d’etre.
TG: Name a book that changed your life.
AB: One book: I read the Bhagavad Gita (ancient Indian scripture) at a time when I was seeking something beyond western philosophy.
TG: Tell us about your relationship with your phone. Does it sleep with you?
AB: NO!!!!!!! Completely not allowed near my bedroom. No digital for me after 8 pm and before 7 am. Otherwise I am pretty attached to my phone, as it is my main business tool and communicator since I worke globally.
TG: How do you deal with email?
AB: Same as the phone. No emails after 8 pm or 7 am. I am also in a good position to be able to delegate many things to my awesome team. In general, I very much enjoy the communication.
TG: You unexpectedly find 15 minutes in your day, what do you do with it?
AB: Ahh…beautiful. I have many of those moments because I create them. I generally take a small break every hour or 2 hours maximum.. I do not believe in hasty overwork and actions. Also, my team never, every works overtime. And we are shamelessly successful.
TG: When was the last time you felt burned out and why?
AB: Actually, I am just coming out of 2 weeks of restraining myself from the core business, because I felt I was on the edge of being burned out. How did I feel it? I lost contact with my heart and felt I was handling life as a robot. That was a huge sign so I took the freedom to just push the pause button. The reason why is so simple: I wanted too much at a given time. Ego overload. I forgot to be grateful and I forgot to be humble enough to trust life“.
TG: When was the last time you felt you failed and how did you overcome it?
AB: Oh – I fail all the time. I am an adventurous person and hardly ever say no to new things. This is because I am a naturally enthusiastic person and very, very curious . So I try new things and I am lucky enough to have beautiful partners and teams in my business .From time to time they say „really Anne? Are you sure?“ But seriously, I may not have made too many really huge mistakes. But when I did, I took invaluable lessons from it. And then moved on. I learned early enough in my life that perfection is a romantic idea. We should strive to become good people rather then perfect ones.
TG: Share a quote that you love and that gives you strength or peace.
AB: “See goodness in each other.”
Co-Founder and Managing Director of Healing Hotels of the World
Anne Biging grew up in post war Germany and thus developed from early on a strong sense that healing can indeed happen and that life should not be filled with fear and depression. Naturally curious and with the consciousness that there is more in this world that meets the eye, Anne learned about health and well-being through the study of yoga, meditation, ancient Indian scriptures and several healing techniques.
After traveling the world as a journalist and book author, she successfully established her career in international tourism destination marketing and hotel consulting and is now the co-founder of Healing Hotels of the World and the HEALING SUMMIT. Healing Hotels of the World is the only global quality brand uniting the best and most advanced hotels and resorts in the field of holistic health under one umbrella. The brand is also at the forefront of supporting the global paradigm shift towards a soulful economy through organizing the HEALING SUMMIT – COMMITTED TO HEALING.