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?
Niki Smirni: Check the time on my phone. It’s always on flight mode after reading Arianna’s book last spring. I immediately switch it on and then have a quick look at all social media when I drink my morning coffees. It’s my time…
TG: What gives you energy?
NS: My running session. I’m doing this at least three times per week. And also my 4 espressos in the morning.
TG: What’s your secret life hack?
NS: Every day before drink my coffees I go to my veranda to see the sky and express gratitude to God for my life, my boys, my existence and my health.
TG: Name a book that changed your life.
NS: The Power of Now, I read it this summer.
TG: How do you deal with email?
NS: …difficult , I’m trying to answer most … I have around 20, 000 in my gmail , which are mostly offers, etc … I want to delete them all….
TG: You unexpectedly find 15 minutes in your day, what do you do with it?
NS: Browse social media or talk to my best friend.
TG: When was the last time you felt burned out and why?
NS: Often in the last few months because I have extreme pressure in my life as an entrepreneur and also when I have issues with my kids, I cannot cope easily with everything. So, I always want my kids to be alright and then I feel like I can do everything. I’m a single mom so I have huge responsibilities.
TG: When was the last time you felt you failed and how did you overcome it?
NS: I felt like I failed two months ago when in the same week, the school told me one of my sons needed to do an educational assessment and I lost a huge client just before signing a contract.
TG: Share a quote that you love and that gives you strength or peace.
NS: Oprah’s quote, “relax everything gonna be ok…this is just a moment in your life”