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?
Jeffrey Walker: Stretch.
TG: What gives you energy?
JW: An exciting project that is collaborative and reduces suffering in the world.
TG: What’s your secret life hack?
JW: Build ensembles of others to share passions with. Community is everything.
TG: Name a book that changed your life.
JW: Childhoods End by Arthur C. Clarke. It exposed me to the idea of Enlightenment and self actualization.
TG: Tell us about your relationship with your phone. Does it sleep with you?
JW: It is in my pocket and a connection to my wife, kids and granddaughter. Also, a great camera to send post cards of life to friends and family.
TG: How do you deal with email?
JW: Answer it quickly, first touch is the last touch and use it as a network connecting tool. Linking others together.
TG: You unexpectedly find 15 minutes in your day, what do you do with it?
JW: Take a breath, a walk, enjoy the moment. Meditate.
TG: When was the last time you felt burned out and why?
JW: Eleven years ago before I retired from private equity. After 25 years of doing deals I stopped and started giving back in a more significant way.
TG: When was the last time you felt you failed and how did you overcome it?
JW: When Hillary Clinton didn’t win the Presidency. I am working with partners to maintain a positive impact on the world.
TG: Share a quote that you love and that gives you strength or peace.
JW: “A man that flies from his fear may find that he has only taken a shortcut to meet it” JRR Tolkien. Face your fears and they will fade.
Philanthropist, Chairman New Profit, Vice Chairman UN Secretary General Envoy’s Office for Health, retired Vice Chairman JPMorgan Chase and founder JPMorgan Partners.
Originally published at medium.com