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.
Gabriela Hearst is a luxury ready-to-wear and accessories designer from Uruguay. After spending more than a decade designing in New York, Gabriela honored her family’s heritage through the launch of her eponymous label in Fall 2015. Today, her brand tells a story of the places she loves that made her who she is, combining inspiration from both Uruguay and New York.
In her Thrive Questionnaire, she opens up about manifesting ideas, prioritizing her time, and dealing with disappointments.
TG: What’s the first thing you do when you get out of bed?
GH: Go to the bathroom, and then get back into bed. I’m always up by 7 a.m., but I don’t look at my phone during the first hour of the day.
TG: What gives you energy?
GH: Exciting ideas, but even more, manifesting them.
TG: What daily habit or practice helps you thrive?
GH: Daily meditation, exercise (recently for health reasons), and reading.
TG: Name a book that changed your life.
GH: So many, this question is unfair. But anything from Joseph Campbell or Borges has marked me.
TG: Tell us about your relationship with your phone. Does it sleep with you?
GH: I hate my smartphone! No, he doesn’t sleep with me. He is locked in a drawer in my closet. But I am trying to activate a vintage Nokia I bought on eBay.
TG: How do you deal with email?
GH: I go through my inbox and flag what needs responses.
TG: How do you prioritize when you have an overwhelming amount to do?
GH: I write to-do lists in a notebook. I prioritize what needs to be done in writing, and then scratch it out once it’s completed. It’s the ultimate pleasure.
TG: You unexpectedly find 15 minutes in your day, what do you do with it?
GH: Call someone I love or someone that makes me laugh.
TG: When was the last time you felt burned out and why?
GH: I am currently in a state that I can see how the burnout is around the corner. But I am determined not to hit the iceberg.
TG: When was the last time you felt you failed and how did you overcome it?
GH: The last time I failed was related to a hire that I did that wasn’t a good fit. But in general, failures are part of growing for me. My quota is quite full, but if I do, I try to resolve it quickly.
TG: What advice would you give your younger self?
GH: Take care of yourself better. You are going to need this body for a long time. Use sunscreen. And your mom is right.
TG: Share a quote that you love and that gives you strength or peace.
GH: “To move freely you must be deeply rooted.”
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