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?
Sunny Sweeney: I get my dog, Doug, out of his bed and he does his business and he sits there and watches me drink a couple cups of coffee while I check my email and social medias.
TG: What gives you energy?
SS: When I see selflessness and random acts of kindness, it’s really inspiring and lights me up…and of course a Venti Iced Coffee unsweet with cream.
TGL What’s your secret life hack?
SS: A daily shot of apple cider vinegar. My best friend, Joanna, taught me that it will alkaline your body and keep you well on the road.
TG: Name a book that changed your life.
SS: This book was given to me by a dear friend, Julia. It’s amazing. Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Ed Tarkington. Highly, highly recommended.
TG: Tell us about your relationship with your phone. Does it sleep with you? SS: A lot of people use their phone for recreational use (I do, too) but, my phone is also my mobile office. Being an Indie artist, I do a lot of my own leg work, and have to be available a lot of the time. My phone DOES sleep in my bedroom, but I turn it on “do not disturb” for the 5 or 6 hours that I sleep.
TG: How do you deal with email?
SS: I try to respond promptly, but traveling to promote a new album sometimes slows that process down.
TG: You unexpectedly find 15 minutes in your day, what do you do with it? SS: Ummm. Sleep.
TG: When was the last time you felt burned out and why?
SS: With my band, I did a 15-day run last summer with 8–9 hour drives per day. Obviously, 15 days on the road is no big deal, but when you are doing those long drives, it can be grueling. My band is SO fun, and we get along fabulously, laughing all the way to the gigs. So, while those types of runs are exhausting, they are extremely fun, as well.
TG: When was the last time you felt you failed and how did you overcome it?
SS: I feel that you only fail when you stop trying something. Having said that, my attempts at being a stepmother to my two step children haven’t gone exactly as I had planned. They are great kids, but there have been a lot of hurdles placed in front of us that we have had to overcome. It’s a work in progress, and despite the challenges, I will never stop trying to be a positive influence on their lives.
TG: Share a quote that you love and that gives you strength or peace.
SS: The music business is full of risks. You have to take them to see any return. This quote always sticks in my head. “Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything” -Einstein
Sunny Sweeney is a Texas-born country singer with her new anticipated album, Trophy.
You can preorder the album now and get an instant track!
iTunes: http://smarturl.it/SS-Trophy
Amazon: http://smarturl.it/trophy-amz
Google Play: http://smarturl.it/SS-GooglePlay
Album available March 10.
Originally published at medium.com