Successful individuals are usually inspired by other successful individuals. That means that if people don’t have great role models–especially role models in whom they can see themselves–they’re at a big disadvantage. I’m always on the hunt for new and exciting content for you all and recently I thought it would be valuable to share interviews from talented women and men in business. I wanted to find out how they got to the top of their careers, what their daily routines were and their best advice. Every Tuesday I will share interviews I have conducted with exceptional and influential people and how they embraced their creative spirit, handled adversity and what makes them tick.
First up – the fabulous Meaghan Murphy, who is the Executive Editor of Good Housekeeping Magazine. Meaghan is living proof that hard work and dedication can take you anywhere you want to go.
When I first came across your social media pages I was so inspired because you’re one of those women who fully embody the meaning of “doing it all”. How do you balance everything? Share a bit about your life today.
I do everything that matters, but I definitely don’t do it all! I say no A LOT more in my 40s than I ever did in my 20s and 30s. (Just ask my 3 kids!) I think the key is figuring out what energizes you and prioritizing those things. For me it’s family first and then fitness. I’m a better wife, mother, boss lady, when I’m able to work out to keep the cray at bay!
What are some of your favorite things about working at Good Housekeeping?
Being the Executive Editor of GH is a dream job. We speak to 1 in 5 American women. That’s a huge platform to inspire and excite 30 million readers to live a happier, healthier more fully charged life! My husband calls my office Candyland because it really does seem like there’s a new adventure every day. You’ll have the GH food team whipping up some delicious treat in the Kitchen of the Future powered by Miele, the latest miracle cream being evaluated by the chemists in the Beauty Lab and then engineers playing with everything from Smart doorbells to video games in the Media & Tech Lab. I couldn’t get bored if I tried!
What is your no-fail go-to when you need inspiration or to get out of a creative rut?
A good sweat! Everything makes sense to me after one of my 5AM workouts with my girls. We call ourselves the #goodvibetribe because after 60 minutes of boxing, hot yoga, pilates on crack (aka SLT!), Flywheel or Orange Theory, we’re ready and energized to take on whatever the day throws our way. It’s basically happy hour with water instead of wine!
What was the best piece of business advice you were given when you started out?
Choose a profession you love and work will never feel like work. That’s been my secret. I follow my passion and I’ve landed in some pretty great gigs as a result without agonizing over the journey. I’m the least strategic person you’ll meet. My only MO is to stay excited and engaged.
What does success mean to you?
I borrow from Ghandi on this one: Success is being the good you want to see in the world. I work really hard to be a positive force of contagious energy. I know, I know. It sounds a little woo-woo. Success is also having the freedom to say no more!
What is your personal or professional motto?
I’m a mantra machine! Right now “Always assume the best!” is really resonating with me. It’s so easy to default to the worst case scenario and get anxious about all the “what ifs.” But when you decide everyone is routing for you and something magical is about to happen, you attract good energy!
Name a woman (or women), past or present, whom you admire or look up to.
I hate to be cliché, but I idolized my Nanny who passed away 5 years ago this August. She suffered so much loss—her first child at birth after the doctor dropped him; my grandpa to a heart attack in their living room at 52. Yet she was always this pound cake-baking, BINGO-playing, rock of our family. I miss her daily. She was my first phone call always.
To follow Meaghan’s journey visit her Instagram page: @meaghanbmurphy.
