People often ask me how many jobs I have and how I manage all of them. I am a content strategist at a marketing firm, a journalist, and the founder of Elana Lyn. How do I do it all? Coffee and careful time management. Take a look at my day.
What time did you get up today?
I wake up at 6:30 am on weekdays. I make coffee and head to a gym class, meditation at MNDFL, breakfast with a friend, or a long walk in Central Park. I get some of my best ideas when I’m not at my desk and having some “me” time in the morning makes me more focused when I get to the office!
What was the first thing you did once you woke up today?
I hit snooze once then got up and made my bed. One of my favorite authors, Gretchen Rubin, found that making your bed can make you happier. Plus it feels nice to come home to a clean room at the end of the day.
What is the view from your desk?
I write my blog posts and freelance articles from home. I have a long windowsill in my bedroom that I use as a makeshift desk. It faces the street and has gorgeous natural lighting.
What was your commute like today?
I have a long commute from the Upper West Side to Williamsburg and I use it to catch up on the news and do my 15-minute morning routine (inspired by an article I read). The first part of the routine is to write down what you’re grateful for because studies showthat it will increase your physical and mental health. The second is to write freely and generate 10 ideas. They can be ideas for your personal or professional life. My go-to morning reads are The Broadstreet, The New York Times Daily Digest, The Skimm, and Buzzfeed News. By the time I get to work, I’m informed, grateful, energized, and ready to hit the ground running. In the evening, I read a professional development book or write article and post drafts on the notes app on my phone.
What was the time of day when you did your best work?
I do my best work right when I get into the office around 10 am. Mark Twain said that if the first thing you do in the morning is eat a live frog, you can go through the rest of the day knowing it can’t get any worse. Studies have shown that you have the most willpower in the morning, so you should work on the most important task first.
What did you wear to work today?
I wore one of my favorite Lilly Pulitzer shift dresses. I gravitate towards cheery, bright, colorful clothes that make me feel happy.
Who or what inspired you the most today?
My friend Emily Merrell, the founder of my favorite networking group, Six Degrees Society. Six Degrees Society is a women’s networking group where Emily creates curated matches during each event. Events have at least three matches and many have an activity like a fitness or calligraphy class. Emily’s events inspired me to write an article about networking authentically. I’m grateful to have met so many close friends and mentors because of Six Degrees Society. I emailed or texted a few of them today!
What was your afternoon pick me up?
I’ve been taking a walk once or twice around the block in the afternoon. Sometimes I take a few minutes to sit in a nearby garden and sometimes I pick up coffee for myself and my colleagues. (That’s definitely an afternoon pick me up!)
What is your happy place after a long day?
My room. I love decorating and learning about color psychology. I recently read Marie Kondo’s book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying: A Simple, Effective Way to Banish Clutter Forever and went through everything I own. I even went to my childhood home to declutter there. It felt good to donate so much to the Salvation Army. I organized everything (even my notorious junk drawers) and only kept things that “spark joy.”
I originally wrote this post for Women@Forbes new ‘Day In the Life’ series.
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This is a great post, Elana! I’ve often wondered how you manage it all. Thanks for sharing a bit more about your routine.
http://www.livinginsteil.com
XOXO!
I LOVE this post!! When I read your interviews with other people, I’m always curious about you too! I agree with your best working time – its 11am right now and I’ve been catching up on emails/working for a while. I love it!
http://thealwaysblog.com
Aww! Thank you so much! 🙂
Your room looks so cute! Love the pillows and the painting above your bed!
Thank you so much! They’re from Anthro if you want to get them too!
This is such a fun post Elana! Great to see a peak into the world of others!
Rachel | http://www.theconfusedmillennial.com
I’m so glad you liked it, Rachel!
Loved this! It’s so true with what you said about being most productive in the morning – I definitely get my best work done then as well.
YASS!
Such a fun read! I love looking into the lives of other bloggers. Also I would kill for your makeshift desk, such a great setup!
xo
Sami
http://www.theclassicbrunette.com
Thanks, lady!
I love this post as I always love “peeking” into other bloggers’s lives. I’ve heard so many great things about Marie Kondo’s book, it sounds so interesting!
xoxo,
Katie
chicincarolina.blogspot.com
Thank you! I highly recommend it.
I loved reading this! It’s so awesome to get a look at your day!
Kristin
The Blush Blonde
Thank you so much!
Loved getting a peak into your day! You sound like you have productivity down pat!
This sounds like a great day! I love how cheerful your room is!
Greta | http://www.gretahollar.com
In awe of how you have a full-time job and you freelance and run your own blog? How/why!? Very inspirational. Your routine makes it seem organized and under control though!
Michelle | http://www.landofstyleandsass.blogspot.com
Interesting post! I always love to have a look into other people’s day to day lives.
I love how you use your time wisely to do what you enjoy! Great photos!
xoxo, Candice
http://www.candicenikeia.com
You have such a cute room!
-Morgan
How 2 Wear It [] http://how2wearit.com
This was such a fun post. I love getting a peek into someone’s daily routine.
La Belle Sirene
I love seeing what everyone else’s days look like! I’m so intrigued by the Six Degrees Society!
Kayla | kaylablogs.com
I love these day-in-the-life-of type posts– sounds like you’re a busy bee 😛
These days I’m balancing a full-time corporate job, a full-house renovation, the blog, and miscellaneous freelance design, so I know all about that hustle!
Oh my goodness I love this! Making your bed in the morning definitely helps with your day getting started on a good note! Love this!