How 10 People Stay Successful at Success

If you find yourself getting easily overwhelmed by emails, struggling to keep your eyes open at your desk, or constantly getting distracted by coworkers, chances are, your productivity level isn’t what it could be.

The secret to working more efficiently isn’t about working more or less, but smarter. Here, 12 successful people share how to do just that, compliments of their productivity hacks. Get ready to get focused:

1. Visualize

“I always envision myself crushing it at my job, working with pristine integrity and keeping a gold standard. I have always envisioned myself being the go-to girl, the leader in my space, the golden girl in the Wellness space. Make an effort to pinpoint your success, and focus on YOU leading the pack. Clear the noise, don’t worry about what everyone else is doing. Focus on yourself, your work and keep the focus on doing your very best, nothing less.” —Candice Kumai, bestselling author of Clean Green Eats & Clean Green Drinks

2. Unplug

“I can’t begin to stress how important it was to limit digital distractions during my workday. The best thing I’ve ever done to improve my productivity was to check my inbox only three times a day. This allows me to really concentrate on whatever task I have at hand. Before I started doing this, I would constantly get interrupted and it would take me a while to get back to really focusing on what I was working on, which was a killer for my productivity. Sometimes I’ll catch myself cheating by checking my iPhone inbox, but putting it on silent helps stop the temptation!” —Jude Al-Khalil, founder and CEO of BIKYNI

3. Catch those ZZZs

“My #1 productivity hack is getting 7 hours of sleep each night. I turn off the TV and put away all my devices so I can clear my brain and sleep well! To have an energy-full day, I prioritize getting a good night’s sleep so I wake up rested and ready to go face the day’s challenges. I also really appreciate the Johnson & Johnson Human Performance Institute’s principles that lead to being your personal best at work and at home: be physically energized, emotionally connected, mentally focused, and spiritually aware to achieve your mission.”—Janis Smith-Gomez, vice president, marketing for Ethicon, Inc.

4. Distance yourself

“Close the office door. I have an open door policy all the time. My office is open to every one of the 110 people who work for me. In fact, it’s unusual not to find at least one of my employees paying me a visit. However, when the rubber meets the road and I have to concentrate and get something done quickly, my office door gets closed. It has become a sign to everyone that when it’s closed, I am full steam on a project so I generally don’t get interrupted. It’s amazing what you can accomplish in an uninterrupted hour—or even a half hour.” —Linda Lightman, CEO and founder of Linda’s Stuff

5. Plan, organize, do

“I have a three-step mantra when it comes to being productive:

Plan it. I plan each day the night before and add them as actual tasks in my calendar. This gives you the creative space to do the work you need to do in the time required and ensures that you are realistic about what can be achieved. I prioritize the most important tasks and always allow time for inspiration and play—being creative means you need time to be inspired, read an article, blog or just be on the pulse of what’s happening.

Organize it. I try to keep to Inbox Zero. I rule the mail, it does not rule me. I check it only three times—morning, afternoon and at the end of the day. Being ruthless with emails means spending more time on the next step and less on organizing and sifting through endless emails. Honestly, if it’s really important, experience has taught me they either come and get you or pick up the phone.

Do it. I get focused. I’m not distracted, I don’t check my email and I get in the zone to complete the tasks for the day. I often have post-it notes with each task on my desk and physically tick them off once a task is done. There is great satisfaction in actually completing something. Visually seeing these is also a great way to remain focused.” —Resh Sidhu, creative director of Framestore’s VR Studio

6. Check-In times

“Email is both a blessing and a curse—a curse in that it often becomes a seemingly endless task. Each day, I set a time to check my email and address as much as I can. But I always set an end time, and stick to it. Of course, email is a blessing in that it keeps me on track. And I sort my inbox by subject, to be as efficient as possible (though I try to keep this trick a secret!).” —Julie Lee, managing director, Maxus Chicago

7. Google Hangouts

“While this may seem counter-intuitive as a productivity hack, I’m in a creative business so talking through ideas needs the nuance of conversation and ideally seeing each other’s face. Hangouts helps our teams get together and have meaningful discussions rather than spinning in the nuance of how we phrased something in an email. ‘ —Jane Delworth, managing director at mono

8. and 9. Meditation

“Headspace—20 minutes meditation a day every day makes all the difference to my productivity.” —Charlotte Smith, partner at Liberty Blue

“Even if it’s just 10 to 15 minutes a day. It centers me, keeps me focused on what matters right now, and helps me to stay calm under stress—which ultimately makes me more productive.  Walking meditation is my favorite type of meditation.” —Justine Bloome, EVP, strategy and innovation at Carat USA

10. Podcasts

“My favorite podcast is Ted Radio Hour. I love the diversity of interviews and content matter, which always expands my thinking in new and surprising ways.” —Olivia Fay, CEO and creative director of Rallier

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Seven Questions to Ask Yourself When You Need Courage to Say Yes to Life

Written By: Enuma Okoro

We’ve all been there. Faced with an exciting decision that could alter our daily and professional lives in a big way but daunted by what saying YES could mean. We wanted it sure but not right NOW! Are we really up for the task? Is it biting off more than we can chew? What if we fail? But then again, as the saying goes, “What if we fly?”

Courage isn’t just required in dangerous situations. Saying yes to big potentially amazing life experiences also require courage. And it’s perfectly normal to be afraid in the face of even big decisions that could help you move towards your goals. Change can be scary, even beautiful change. But once we acknowledge that it’s alright to be scared we have to keep moving from there and make the best decisions towards living our best lives. We have to find the courage to say yes in the face of our fears.

WHAT IF WE FAIL? WHAT IF WE FLY?

When an opportunity comes along that could take us to the next level in our career or in our personal lives it will usually require facing down those fears and having to release something in our lives to make room for what’s being offered. When I find myself with a major life opportunity in front of me it can be tempting to spin into over analyzing and worry about whether or not to step out of my comfort zone and into this new space full of so much potential but also so much of the unknown. So I’m learning to ask myself some key questions to help me make the best decision and to move forward towards what I imagine could be my best life. I start by getting to the heart of anything that could keep me from saying yes to my life.

What am I afraid of?

When I really ask myself this question and have to answer aloud I usually find that my fears, if I can even articulate them, are sort of irrational. They don’t make sense when spoken aloud. And as a result, they are forced to diminish in size. If I am able to articulate fears that make sense then I try turning the fear around to see what’s on the other side. I often think that our fears offer us clues to what we really want.

I often think that our fears offer us clues to what we really want.

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How is saying “yes” to this invitation in line with the kind of life I want to live?

It’s basically another way of asking if this option on front of you is in sync with your sense of purpose and the intention for your life. Asking this question forces me to reassert my values, the non-negotiables, what I believe my overall purpose is (which can play out in different ways over the course of my life,) and the life I want. It’s always powerful to speak aloud the particular things I desire and need for the particular season of my life.  If, for instance, I know I’m ready to channel my love for storytelling through travel writing then I also know I need and desire the freedom to travel and curate travel stories. I’d have to keep that in mind when trying to make a big life shifting decision.

Three years from now what would I regret if I turned this invitation down?

I use 3 years because I’ve found in my own life experiences that it takes about that long for a major life decision to show its seasoned fruits. Taking a new job, moving to a new city or country or starting a business or venture.

Is there anyone in relation to this decision that I’m trying to please or that I’m afraid of disappointing?

This can be a tough question to ask because often the answer is yes. Very few of us, especially women, are raised to do things solely for our own benefit or desire. We’ve been falsely taught that is selfish and bad. We subconsciously carry other people along with us and make decisions based on their potential responses to us. Whether it’s a parent or partner or even strangers we think we have to compete with or impress. We owe it to ourselves (and to all those waiting for the amazing things we’ll do when we live from our grounded honest selves) to make the best decisions for ourselves regardless of what anyone else thinks.

We owe it to ourselves to make the best decisions for ourselves regardless of what anyone else thinks.

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What added advantages or opportunities could come from saying yes?

Sometimes we forget that life is not static. Every decision we make sets in motion a slew of other things in our lives. One of my favorite quotes about decision-making is from the book, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. “Making a decision was only the beginning of things. When someone makes a decision, he is really diving into a strong current that will carry him to places he had never dreamed of when he first made the decision." One yes can lead to a million other beautiful yeses.

What could I learn from this new opportunity?

If we’re not learning in life we’re not growing. I think every big invitation in life that I say yes to should not just be an opportunity for me to shine and flourish but also for me to learn and grow.

And finally I ask myself, “Will I be happy?”

Could I wake up every morning and be content and happy about saying yes and going forward with this choice and this change? Life is too short and full of too many other possibilities for anything else.

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WorkParty Fireside Chat: How Refinery29 Co-Founders Actually Met

Refinery29 started out of a 750 sq. ft apartment with a $5,000 dollar investment. Today it's a global empire. And at Saturday's Create & Cultivate LA, co-founder Piera Gelardi shared with a crowd of over a thousand women about the brand's roots and it's commitment to inclusiveness. 

In a WorkParty fireside chat with C&C founder Jaclyn Johnson, the two got down to brass tacks 

On Starting

“I started Refinery about 13 years ago with three co-founders.” Though Piera studied art, she knew she didn’t want a solitary career. “I grew up in a family business. There were always people around. So I knew I wanted to start looking at careers that would bring the artistic side of me out, but that would also bring out my entrepreneurial spirit and love of collaboration.”

She got an internship at a publication called City Magazine. “It was a great experience because it was very small and hands-on. I learned about the design side, about styling, and I also learned a lot from my boss, the executive editor, Christene Barberich, who is also my co-founder at Refinery.”

“I worked there for a couple of years but I started to feel fatigued by the magazine cycle. I wanted to start something on my own.” When she and her other two co-founders, her then-boyfriend, now husband, Philippe von Borries and Justin Stefano, needed an editor, she told the two to call up Christene and ask if the brilliant editor knew anyone. Christene surprised Piera by her desire to get involved in the idea.

“She called me up and said, ‘I think this is an amazing idea, I want to get involved, but I can only get involved is you’re actually committed,” Piera explained, crediting Christene as the person who really convinced her to take the jump.  “That was the moment I decided I was really going to commit myself to it.”

On Cultivating the Career of Her Dreams

“Some people have a long-term vision of where they want to be and they make the plan.” Piera explained. “But I’ve been someone who’s needed to try something and respond to it. Really give whatever I try I full shot.”

“Bringing joy, satisfaction, and leaning into your own strengths at work is so necessary,”

“I think bringing joy, satisfaction, and leaning into your own strengths at work is so necessary,” the co-founder shared.

On the Birth of 29Rooms

Piera knew she wanted to do something big for the ten-year anniversary of the brand.

#WorkParty. Right?! 

“We wanted to celebrate ten years as a brand. We wanted to honor our roots and style. But also celebrate all the different topics that Refinery now covers. We wanted to create an experience that would disrupt fashion week by being inclusive.”

29Rooms Is Refinery29's funhouse Of Style, Culture, And Technology. Fans get to experience Refinery29’s imaginative spirit IRL through an interactive funhouse of style, culture, & technology, brought to life by a group of global artists and visionaries across mediums.

Bringing fashion, culture, and style to the people has been their goal from the get-go.  

“Fashion is very exclusive, very didactic, and designed to make you feel bad about yourself and make you feel insecure,” shared Piera. “We wanted to create a space that celebrated self-expression and individuality. In the beginning we didn’t feel like part of the fashion world, but we loved what style represented as a form of expression. We’re always looking at what’s missing and how we can better serve our audience. Always looking at who we can create space for.”

Elevating different voices is built into the R29 ethos. ‘It’s always been important to listen to our audience and listen to our team. The Refinery team is our audience.”

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How Cold-Calling Chanel Landed One Woman Her Dream Job

Alyssa Wasko cold-called her way into a job a Chanel. For most, that sounds like a dream job. (And it was.) But after six years at the fashion house, the budding designer struck out on her own, launching DONNI (previously Donni Charm). Wasko named the brand after her late father, whom she lost during her time at Chanel. She started making scarves as a way to cope with his passing, but it quickly turned into something more.

Today, DONNI, is a collection of everyday essentials, each with endless ways to wear. Scarves, capes, and more are made in Los Angeles by women who are like family to the brand. Something her dad would certainly be proud of. 

You started you career at an incredibly chic fashion house. How did you land the job? 

Persistence. I called the head of Chanel USA’s Visuals and Image department every day for about 3 months leaving him voicemails until he finally called me back. I think he gave me the job so I would stop bothering him. He was my boss for 6 years and now one of my closest friends. 

Where does that drive and ability to pick up the phone come from? 

I think it was how I was raised. If you want something go and get it. But, above all, I am old fashioned and I believe that the best things happen from a phone call. Every day there seems to be a new means of communication and I just like to keep it classic. The phone leaves no room for misinterpretation. 

What did you learn while working there? 

So much. What to do, what not to do. Working for a big corporation, you learn about infrastructure and procedures, experience that have proven invaluable for running Donni. I think my biggest take away is how important it is for each team member to see how their work directly affects the outcome and the brand’s success. Every email, phone call, meeting, brainstorming session, or even mistakes, by a member at Donni directly correlates to our growth and I think that is such a rewarding feeling. And I hope what makes them happy and excited to come to work each day!

When did you decide to strike out on your own? 

I had already started Donni when I was working at Chanel, there were a few years of overlap. I was very lucky that my bosses were so supportive of Donni from the beginning. My father passed away during my first summer working with them so they lived through it all with me in a sense. Because I was able to sustain both for a while, it was hard to figure out when made sense to focus fully on Donni. But, as they say, man plans and g-d laughs and it just kind of happened after a few big orders and trips to our factory in LA. It just became too hard to sustain both and I wasn’t able to put 100% into both anymore. 

Sometimes it’s the hardest moments that lead to our greatest development. Can you chat a little about this and how the loss of your dad gave birth to a new chapter? 

My mantra and truly my survival was constantly telling myself to act and make decisions that would make my dad proud. A lot of people told me to take a semester off of school to cope, and while I considered it an option I knew my dad would have laughed and said “get your tush in gear. Wasko’s don’t give up.” I not only went back to school, but I took on another 3 classes to my already full course load and a few odd jobs. When that wasn’t enough, on an afternoon that wasn’t sufficiently busy I decided to make a scarf for myself and a friend adding a good luck charm to each. I had always loved scarves and found them so to be comforting yet effortless. Before I knew it, my piers wanted these scarves, and I was so confused! I went to school in Arizona where it was 90 degrees daily. But that’s how I realized my product was a real business, because people wanted more than just the scarf, they were buying into the idea, and the feel good component that it represented.

What would you encourage young female entrepreneurs to test out before they dip their toes in the startup world?

It sounds cliché, but don’t just start a brand to start a brand, let the idea find you—make sure you are truly solving a problem or filling a need, and make sure each of your products goes back to your fundamental solution. But furthermore, anyone can have an idea, and it is execution that determines your success or failure.

"Don’t just start a brand to start a brand, let the idea find you."

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What do you think are some of the biggest misconceptions about starting a business?

That it has this glamour to it. It doesn’t. You are always on the clock, always schlepping, always thinking of how to make things better—even when they are great. There is always room for improvement. I think a lot of people think you start something and hire all of these people and you can go on vacation whenever you want. Couldn’t be farther from the reality, its hard work! And it never stops. Ever.

Above: DONNI

You did a slight rebrand this year. Can you chat about that decision and why now was the right time? 

Who knows if it was the right time, but it just happened. I felt simply that we had outgrown the Charm. I started this brand in college, and I have grown up a lot since then, so I wanted the name to reflect the more sophisticated lifestyle brand that we have grown into.

How do you expect DONNI to grow and change? 

Retail is changing a lot these days, so I do see expanding our Direct to Consumer business, but I also try not to worry about the future, and just keep allowing the change as it comes. So far all of our growth has been such an organic evolution. Each pivot and change coming when something presents itself. I hope that that is how it continues. For a very long time. 

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3 Influencers Share Why It's Vital to Celebrate Success

photo credit: Becki Smith/Smith House Photography

Celebrate good times. Come on! But, for real, come on! It's all too easy to get caught up in the one and done mentality, especially with startup life. Most of the time we're thinking, 'on to the next!' and that's what this environment decrees, but we also need to be patting ourselves on the back from time to time. (Or every day, your call.)

It's vital to celebrate your accomplishments. From raises to title upgrades to knocking a presentation out of the park, a sense of pride and happiness in our work is what propels us forward. We find motivation in joy. And it's something that Framebridge knows a lot about.

At their #CreateCultivateNYC popup, the company known for simplifying the custom framing process (legit providing a bridge between the frame and the framer), celebrated the wins of speakers by framing personal mementos and displaying them in their booth (see above). 

We checked in with three of the conference speakers to find out why they think we should honor these special moments, and in true boss fashion, each had their own take on what that means. 

photo credit: Tory Williams

"It’s important to celebrate the momentous milestones because in such a fast-paced, competitive, and evolving industry, it’s easy to lose track of why and how you are where you are. It’s definitely nice to take a moment to celebrate all the hard work you’ve put in and acknowledge the people that have helped you accomplish that."  -- Arielle Noa Charnas, @SomethingNavy

"It’s easy to lose track of why and how you are where you are."

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photo credit: Tory Williams

"In a startup environment, it’s easy to blow through small achievements without realizing them because you’re already on to the next thing. But, the bigger we get, the more we realize how meaningful it is to set way fewer, way more aggressive goals and celebrate hard when you hit or beat them. It makes you better—it’s a part of growing up as a business!"-- Tessa Wolf, Creative Director @Framebridge

"Set way fewer, way more aggressive goals and celebrate hard."

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photo credit: Tory Williams

"I'm a 'now what?' girl by nature. As I hit a particular goal, I'm already moving on to setting the next one. Instead, making a conscious effort to celebrate my success gives me a confidence boost to propel myself above and beyond my next goal." -- Carly Heitlinger, @TheCollegePrepster

"Making a conscious effort to celebrate my success gives me a confidence boost."

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What are you proud of and want to celebrate? Share in the comments below!

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