5 questions for Ieva Vaine

1. What are you? 

I would like to think - a good person. PS. On the days when I am not one, I am on the road to being a good person.  

2. A book that you would recommend others to read – why? 

I am currently enjoying reading Haruki Murakami’s book What I Talk About When I Talk About Running. Murakami is an outstanding writer and getting to know the behind-the-scenes stuff in his life is truly captivating. The book is autobiographical. And in addition, someone might like this – as opposed to his other books, this one is thin. I have read about half and you know what – I am already running. 

3. TEDx talk, which one do you recommend watching – why?  

Daniel Amen - Change Your Brain, Change Your Life 

I am inspired by the approach in which the link between our physiology - brains and psychological well-being and productivity in our lives, and how this can be worked on to change the quality of our lives, are shown absolutely pragmatically and rationally. I recommend that you watch all of this speaker’s TEDx videos. 

4.  What inspires you and gives you energy? 

I am a person with a very wide range of interests, so a shortage of inspiration has never been real for me – I always have something to clarify, try out or get to know. As long as I can remember, I have always been learning something new, and experimenting. Globally - everything that makes me happy also gives me energy. I have very consciously been working on developing the skill within myself to seize happiness and feel thankful for the small everyday things. So, I can be caught out singing in the car, watching shooting stars, improvising with new cake recipes, sitting in some strange yoga pose, or creating performances in garden working bees with those close to me. And, you might also laugh, but I regularly go to pirts [Latvian sauna]. Quite traditionally and very regularly for n-number of years. 

5.   Why are you interested in the topic - planning time? 

When I started to create this seminar, I had begun to make great changes in my life. The great existential questions were important to me, structuring my life and productive headway. It ended up that the information which I was looking for me, turned out to be useful for others as well. 

My keywords at this seminar - planning time is not about how to plan time, but how to plan in a more meaningful way and experience one's life. We have limited opportunities to lead/manage our time, but we can be and are 100% responsible for how we manage ourselves, and the quality of the time with which we fill our lives. 

I am thankful that I have the opportunity to bring up this theme again and again with seminar participants, and in this way, continually remind myself about what my goals are, how I am moving towards them and what I am doing, so that I have enough energy and interest to realize my plans. 

Read more about Ieva Vaine’s professional experience HERE