Success isnt just for extroverts, according to author and hermit entrepreneur Morra Aarons-Mele.
Large screen Mac Thunderbolt and old Macbook Air for ergonomically smart workstation at home.
Ive had many jobs in both internet marketing and politicsand I quit them all.
Im just not cut out for the office 96 or advancing my career through traditional channels.
I am allergic to fluorescent lights and I hate being around people all day!
Im an extremely anxious introvert.
It would be small and profitable, meaningful and manageable.
Im a hermit entrepreneur.
Of course, this best of both worlds lifestyle comes at a cost.
It has meant sacrifices, some FOMO, less success than some peers, and a slower path.
But its my version of success, and I love it.
Take us through a recent workday.
5:45 a.m. Wake to my 3 year olds demands for juice.
6:007:00 Turn onMorning Joe.
Make coffee, check emails and twitter.
Work on a blog post (I write best first thing in the morning).
7:007:30 Make breakfast for kids.
Work in bed until 9.
9:0010:00 Client and team check in calls.
10:0011:00 Volunteer at my sons school library.
Do a quick call on the way.
11:00 Go for a walk (alone!).
12:30 Stop by the grocery store to buy dinner for tonight.
2:00 Host a Facebook Live: Make up top half of my face and put on a nice shirt.
3:304:00 Kids come home from school, say hi and hear about their day.
Make some pesto for dinner and check on the garden.
Read the newspaper and stretch.
4:305:30 Work on a proposal for a potential client.
7:45 Practice a speech in front of my husband.
8:009:00 Finish working on blog post, catch up on email.
9:00 Bed early for 4:45 a.m. wake-up for flight to NYC.
Im checking emails (and Twitter) all day on my iPhone and laptop.
What apps, gadgets, or tools cant you live without?
I deleted Facebook from my phone and I feel much calmer.
It really cuts down on the FOMO.
My favorite gadget is my electric stand-up desk, which allows me to change positions throughout the day.
Whats your workspace setup like?
I have a home office with a nice large monitor, and a chaise lounge.
Usually two of my three cats will be snoozing near me while I work.
I get migraines, so I change my workstation a lot throughout the day.
I like to work in bed in the mornings, and then move down to my office later.
I have a landline, which is very important to me.
I dont like talking on the cell phone.
Whats your best shortcut or life hack?
I carry sneakers with me everywhere.
I let the thoughts percolate and even allow myself to be bored.
Its how all my ideas and solutions happen.
I take a stab at have 60 minutes a day with no entertainment or outside influence.
Take us through an interesting, unusual, or finicky process you have in place at work.
The rest of the time, Im home working from bed or my home office, in yoga pants.
Any business goes through busy and slack times, and sometimes my side projects also get really intense.
After my book tour, I really had to reevaluate things because my kids were strongly feeling my absence.
So I do the More/Less Exercise.
My friend and colleague Christine Koh is a huge intention-setter, and Ive learned from her.
Make two columns: More and Less.
On each column, make a list: what do I want more of?
What do I want less of?
Look at the list to see what items elicit a really strong reaction.
Then revisit every six months.
I have the most incredible team at Women Online.
We are all grownups.
We text, email, and call each other all day.
I have a wonderful assistant who manages my schedule and minutiae.
Im always texting or messaging someone for support and advice, often my husband, whos great at both.
How do you keep track of what you have to do?
I have a routine.
Every morning and evening I write down my to do list: both personal and professional items.
Then, I add the items to my Google Apps calendar.
I often rewrite the lists because I like them to look neat, for some reason.
If Im out and about I leave myself a voice memo when inspiration or urgency hits.
How do you recharge or take a break?
Its a marathon, not a sprint.
I love to putter.
Whats your favorite side project?
Podcasting is the greatest medium.
I love the intimacy of asking people questions through a microphone.
What are you currently reading, or what do you recommend?
Im reading the novelCirce, and its gripping.
I read a lot of fiction.
I read the New York Timeseveryday, plus lots of magazines.
In nonfiction, reading Nilofer Merchants new bookThe Power of Onlynessand Dr. Ellen HendriksensHow to Be Yourself.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
I want to see a Fortune 500 CEO who works from home one day a week!
Whats the best advice youve ever received?
Sales is problem solving.
Understand what your customer needs help with!
Whats a problem youre still trying to solve?
How to not obsessively check Twitter, because it makes me depressed.
And how to stop my brain from being an endlessly roving to do list.
Working independently is wonderful, but it can feel like a lot to juggle sometimes.
Have someone you want to see featured, or questions you think we should ask?
