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?
Sheinelle Jones: Turn my alarm off and just lay there for a few minutes to get my thoughts together and think about what I have to do that day. I find it helps to do that as opposed to just jumping out of bed.
TG: What gives you energy?
SJ: Exercising — although I need to do it more often. :-/
TG: What’s your secret life hack?
SJ:Give yourself five minutes in the morning before you get up to just enjoy the silence and “get centered” before you get out of bed.
TG: Name a book that changed your life.
SJ: The Bible.
TG: Tell us about your relationship with your phone. Does it sleep with you?SJ: Yes — two of them. Right on my nightstand, or by my pillow.
TG: How do you deal with email?
SJ: I check my work email about every 10 to 15 minutes, if not more often. I check my personal email once or twice a day.
TG: You unexpectedly find 15 minutes in your day, what do you do with it?
SJ: If I’m at home, probably clean, do laundry or check my personal emails and try to respond to family and friends.
TG: When was the last time you felt burned out and why?
SJ: Oh my goodness all of the time! It helps that I love my career and of course my family so while I’m exhausted, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I’ve wanted to be in television news since I was in the 5th grade; this is a blessing. To whom much is given, much is required. At least that’s what they say. 😉
TG: When was the last time you felt you failed and how did you overcome it?
SJ: I’m on morning news for a living. I love mornings because it’s a chance to start fresh, forgive yourself and try again. In this business you have no choice but to “get back on the horse” even if you fall off.
I sometimes feel like I fail if I can’t be the “supermom” I want to be. But then I see my kids laughing and smiling and I realize that they’re so happy. I exhale and try to give myself a break.
TG: Share a quote that you love and that gives you strength or peace.
SJ: “A woman is like a tea bag — you can’t tell how strong she is until you put her in hot water.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
Sheinelle Jones is a co-anchor of NBC News’ “Weekend TODAY” and a mid-week correspondent for “TODAY”. She is also an anchor on weekend editions of “MSNBC Live.”
Originally published at journal.thriveglobal.com