In a world where we’re always available, how do you separate your personal time from your work time?
To be honest, I’m not as good as I should be. It’s a constant challenge to separate work from personal time, but that comes with the territory of having your own business - I’m not sure it’s possible to fully switch off. However, as the owner of a wellbeing brand, I’m aware of the importance of creating a healthy work-life balance. I tried last weekend to leave my phone in another room for a day, which worked a treat, and definitely helped me separate work from personal time. So let’s say it’s a work in progress.
What’s one thing you do after the workday to help you unwind?
Cooking supper always helps me unwind. I find cooking the ultimate grounding and calming end to the day. I love to make food that is simple, always using the best ingredients. Something like spaghetti with clams I’ll often lean towards – meals with a few delicious ingredients. My daughter is a chef, so if she’s around at the weekend, I love to make fresh pasta with her.
What activity do you do in your time away from the office that helps you relax and recentre after a stressful week?
I’m recentred by small everyday activities, not exactly a single one. Those are the antidotes to a stressful week. If it’s not raining, I like to nestle in my garden amongst the plants and look up the trees. I find nature restorative and nurturing. Or pouring over one of my favourite cookbooks, and planning what I’ll cook over the weekend.
What’s something you’ve read, listened to or seen in your spare time that’s helped you at work?
Good to Great by Jim Collins is a fascinating book that analyses the history of 28 companies over five years, identifying the differences between what made some good and others great. Essentially, you just need to get the right people on the bus! A couple of other books that I’ve read recently which haven’t exactly helped me at work, but have reinforced all of the things that we do in our business, are Start With Why by Simon Sinek about purpose-driven brands and Net Positive by Paul Polman on how courageous companies thrive by giving more than they take. It’s reassuring to see that everything we have achieved as a business through having a strong moral compass since the very beginning is aligned with the current sentiment that all businesses will need to be purpose-driven.
On Sunday night, how do you prepare yourself for the week ahead?
Late afternoon I prep for the week ahead, answering any remaining emails from the previous week, and try and separate all the day-to-day from the big ideas and strategies. Once I’ve done that, I love to make Sunday supper, and if I’m super lucky my family will turn up to enjoy it with us, which always sets me up for the week. And to properly finish it off, I’ll end the day with a bath filled with our restorative Lavender Bath Salts to relax and unwind.
After home and the office, where’s your favourite third space?
My garden is one. I have a little London garden, but it’s like a wild cottage garden - a pollinators’ haven – and I have a small bench that’s nestled amongst the plants that I love to sit on and take a moment to be still.
I know that probably doesn’t count as it’s an extension of my home, so my other favourite place is Vista Alegre, a little café in Sant Joan de Labritja, the northernmost village in Ibiza. I have known the family owners for over 20 years. Starting my day with a cortado and pan con tomate on their little terrace, always puts me in a good mood. If I could, I’d have every breakfast for the rest of my life there.
Best reason you've had to turn your Out of Office on recently?
I must confess I’ve never had an OOO, but I’m thinking after writing this that I really must!
> Read our recent interview with Annabel Kindersley about purpose-led business
