My Work Is Very Varied in Every Respect

Answers to questions for the “Môj biznis deň” (My Business Day) column in HN magazín (Hospodárske noviny), October 2025.

7.00 I usually get up depending on the time of year and my obligations. Besides the usual care routine, my morning rituals include, when possible, a few yoga exercises or, in summer, a short swim. At home I most often prepare breakfast to take with me; one of my favourites is blended fruit with yoghurt. After the usual preparations I set off for work or on a business trip. On the way I sometimes read emails and listen to podcasts.

8.00 I usually arrive at work, dealing with day-to-day operations on the way. I mostly drink only water or tea and check everything that lets me assess the day's priorities in light of my schedule of meetings and negotiations. I often have various meetings outside the office.

9.00 During the morning I meet colleagues at all kinds of briefings, followed by work meetings and further negotiations. In the course of the morning I have breakfast or a snack that I have brought from home and savour my first coffee. It is at this time that I make the biggest decisions, unless we are travelling.

11.00 If time allows, I leave myself room for replying to messages, answering calls and communicating in general with clients, partners and so on. When travelling, this is often the time for business meetings.

12.00 If I am at the Christmas Court, we keep lunchtime in the company as an unwritten rule, and sometimes I use the time for partner meetings and business lunches. Personally I prefer light meals such as salads and fish, but because of time pressure in our season a period of fast food begins, which has by now its own typical rhythm. Because of occasional stress and the need to compensate for it, we call this time the chocolate period.

13.00 is usually a period of further briefings and negotiations. It is the time for an afternoon coffee and receiving guests. Creative work is a pleasant alternative too, as are solving situations and preparing projects. When travelling, I attend various meetings, and at this time I sometimes invite guests from public life to my podcasts.

15.00 I often deal with the afternoon slump with another coffee with colleagues, or outside the office by meeting people, getting to know the space of our exhibitions, or having meetings. At this time I sometimes snack on yoghurts and fruit, but in the season we also have an emergency sugar boost.

16.00 If I have no negotiation or briefing, I use the afternoon for my own creative work, for solving situations and for replying to emails. It is the most suitable time for my own work, though rather in the ideal case. I spend most days travelling, and in the last part of the year I light up our light exhibitions and travel all across Europe.

17.00 The time that is the end of the working day for most people is for me a space for more concentrated activity, although in summer I use the journey home on my motorcycle for a ride out, or for an afternoon swim.

18.00 I mostly use this early evening time in different ways, depending on the programme of the whole day. Sometimes I go shopping, at other times I swim or get ready for an evening in company. I regularly go to the Prague Business Club, sometimes I moderate or give talks, or I attend social and cultural events such as theatres, concerts and inspiring meetings with friends.

19.00 If I spend this time at home, I usually have dinner and exercise. Most often I swim. I also read, browse social media and catch up on arrears, most often unanswered correspondence. Or I create and plan further intentions and projects. Very often, however, I spend the time socially, including a social dinner.

22.00 After returning home I sometimes still work, reply to messages or treat myself to a little reading and writing of my own. Sometimes I like to swim only in the evening, by starlight. I end the day with a favourite glass of prosecco.

I devote myself to work continuously throughout the day and, conversely, try to find small joys even during work; when work is a hobby, it comes easily.

My work is very varied in every respect, so it requires a considerable amount of improvisation and creativity. Especially in the second half of the year, when the days resemble one another only in their purpose – to bring light into every corner and in every direction.

Among my favourite moments are the successful resolution of a situation, a good idea, a moment of togetherness.

I see the greatest secret of my success in courage and creativity, that is, in passion and love – for people, for art, for life. And the ability to improvise.

In my free time I love riding my motorcycle, swimming, skiing, reading and many other hobbies, including family and social life.

Unfortunately I often go to sleep after midnight; around one o'clock in the morning is no exception.

Among my favourite foods are salads and fish, but also sweet things.

I try to handle crisis situations with further and further challenges, in keeping with the truth of the saying, what does not kill me…