Behind the desks of successful women: Megan Hess

In the lead up to our biggest event of the year, we’re taking a peek behind the desks of the influential women speaking at 9 to Thrive. We ask them everything from how much coffee they drink to how many tabs they have open on their computers right now. We kicked the series off with Eleanor Pendleton and Sally Obermeder & Maha Koraiem, and read on to deep dive into the beautiful world of fashion illustrator, Megan Hess.

What does your workspace look like?

A Parisian apartment meets gallery space … in all white, gold and pops of pink!

Can you describe it in 3 words?

Creative, optimistic, calm.

What’s one thing that’s always on your desk?

Hundreds of ink pens and colour swatches.

What time of day do you do your best work?

First thing in the morning – straight AFTER my first coffee!

What’s the first thing you do when you sit at your desk in the morning?

Switch on the music and light a scented candle, and then I’m good to go.

How do you structure your day?

I always start with the hardest bits and save the most fun for later.

How many tabs do you have open on your computer?

Only ever one. I hate lots of tabs open at once.

What’s the weirdest thing on your desk right now?

An ornament of a gold bird wearing a royal crown. I actually have many crazy eclectic things on my desk. I can’t handle a bare desk!

How do you ensure you drink enough water throughout the day?

I don’t!!! I’m very bad. I need to drink more water!

How many cups of coffee are you averaging?

Two cups a day, three max. And none after 3pm or I can’t sleep!

What apps and tech can’t you live without?

Instagram, my iPad, mac computer

Where’s the weirdest place your work has taken you?

To a Royal Wedding in Doha in the Middle East. It was incredible!

How do you keep your day on track?

I always have a daily list and I set alarms to go off when I need to do key things at times during the day. I find if I do this first thing I can get immersed into a project without continuously worrying about going over time or forgetting something.

What’s your best time saving shortcut or life hack you know?

Put your phone far away from your desk when you work. You save SO much time if you only check your phone twice or a few times a day. You get so much more done and you’ll actually feel more calm too.

How much time do you spend on social media every week?

I post once or twice a day, but I spend a relatively short time preparing each post. I can also go weeks without actually looking at my own feed of who I’m follow. I always make sure I stop looking at any social media from 8pm each night. By doing all of that it means I really enjoy social media – if I spend more time on it, I feel like it overtakes my life!

What do you do to forget about work? Recharge?

Just spending time with those I love, eating, catching up, a good glass of wine with my husband, walking to the park with my kids … the simple things.

Do you have a Sunday night routine to make sure the week runs smoothly?

I dream of being one of those people who makes all their meals for the week on Sunday night, but I never do. I just try to be as organised for the week ahead as possible. I look over what’s happening, prep any outfits for events or key meetings, plan a few logistical things of how I’ll get the kids here and there – and then I just really try and have a calm Sunday night. Early movie, hot bath and a good book.