Walpole: In a world where we’re always available, how do you separate your personal time from your work time?
Robert Ettinger: Honestly, with great difficulty. To be effective I need to be clear thinking, innovative and thorough, not tired, stressed and making mistakes. Therefore, I must have time to rest recuperate and regenerate. This encompasses not only adequate sleep, but exercise, diversion and some fun. With an hour-plus commute, time is at a premium.
For me, it is how I use my time most appropriately. I would rather take longer holidays and do some work on them, rather than shorter without interruption. On holiday I will check my emails twice a day and respond to the most urgent, as by so doing I feel in control, which I find less stressful.
I also would rather start in the office at 6am, getting so much done while uninterrupted for two hours and also providing a chance to communicate with customers in Asia. Then returning home by 3pm to speak to US customers, with the added bonus of totally missing a rush hour commute. Of course, I must be flexible and attend evening events and travel, but I do try to keep this to a minimum. When I use my time well there is time for work and leisure.
What’s one thing you do after the workday to help you unwind?
I love to cook. I like to take my time, follow a recipe exactly, then add something unorthodox. I consider myself a masterchef – it's just a pity that no-one around me is of similar thinking!
> Read Ettinger's Walpole Member profile here.
What activity do you do in your time away from the office that helps you relax and recentre after a stressful week?
To really relax I like to go on a leisurely bike ride around the quiet country lanes – although absolutely no Lycra as I maintain a more sedentary pace (I have been accused of taking my bike for a walk!). I return home after about 25 to 35 miles feeling utterly refreshed, that my ski muscles are rejuvenated and all is right with the world.
What’s something you’ve read, listened to or seen in your spare time that’s helped you at work?
Every morning on my drive to work I listen to Farming Today at 5:45am on Radio 4. It makes me realise it is not only luxury that has its highs and its lows, and it encourages outward thinking. There is a reassuring communality in disparate businesses.
After home and the office, where’s your favourite third space?
My favourite third space would have to be abroad. It would be watching the sun come up over a sand dune in the Empty Quarter, Oman, with only the sound of the wind on the sand. It would be sitting in a quiet taverna in the south of Antiparos, Greece, with a glass of wine and the sea lapping at my feet. It would be sitting in a hidden tiny restaurant in Tokyo with the chef cooking especially for me, in front of me.
On Sunday night, how do you prepare yourself for the week ahead?
I don't – that's the advantage of starting at 6 am on a Monday. I only go as far as selecting the appropriate outfit.
Best reason you've had to turn your Out of Office on recently?
I never turn on my Out of Office – probably because I don’t know how to!
Your go-to Out of Office outfit: A good pair of chinos or jeans and a tailored long-sleeve shirt. That is unless I'm doing jobs in the garden, when I'm usually in shorts and a T-shirt.
Your happy place anywhere in the world: On a lonely mountain, skiing off-piste with a guide in good weather. The whole experience is just magical, enhanced by the virgin snow, the extensive panoramas, and the few animals that survive at such elevation. The experience, like that of the sand dunes, reminds you of your own insignificance in such vast scenery.
Your favourite bar or restaurant: The bar and Charlie’s restaurant in Brown’s Hotel in Mayfair, London. I love Cornish crab and Dover sole, and a good bottle of wine.
Something you booked recently that you'd recommend: I was recently invited to watch the world championship skiing downhill in Courchevel, France. Fearful that this might not only be a way of get exceedingly cold and also very bored (I never even watch Ski Sunday) I actually found it quite the opposite – totally incredible. It was like one noisy party, with the Swiss cow bells ringing and the French horns blowing and everyone shouting encouragement at the top of their voices. The speed of the skiers was utterly mind-blowing.
Something you've listened to or read recently that you'd recommend: I really like reading Gentleman’s Journal magazine. It is so interesting and informative.
A hobby you'd like to cultivate: Although perhaps not really a hobby, I love to read the newspapers and never have enough time. The Financial Times, The Times and The Telegraph are my preferred choices, but I also love The Week for its balanced views. I also enjoy The Spectator. My father always read the papers cover to cover, I think I have inherited it from him.
A luxury that’s actually a necessity: A massage. There is absolutely nothing more relaxing, more calming and removes the stress and tension from your muscles like a massage.
Best luxury under £25: It must be an Ettinger bookmark. I do not usually include my own company products in something like this, but the bookmark feels lovely to the touch, looks expensive, is original and highly functional.
