Work Smarter Not Harder || Catie Keogh Emmy Award Winner

“Outside of your comfort zone is where all the magic happens!”

If you are new to Cedar & Rush, Work Smarter, Not Harder (WSNH) is a weekly column showcasing Chicago’s leading ladies – think CEO’s, entrepreneurs, and everyday women making a difference – and how they work smarter, not harder. I decided upon Monday so we can kick off the week as productive and as motivated as possible. If you love a particular piece of advice or have any tips of your own, please share by tagging #WSNH2015 on Instagram and Twitter.

I hope you have your coffee in hand because this morning’s WSNH post features one incredibly talented woman and mother – Emmy award winner Host and Executive Producer, Catie Keogh! Catie has been nominated for 7 Emmy Awards for Outstanding Programming and you can find her every Saturday night at 12:30 AM hosting NBC5’s 24/7 City Secrets (right after SNL).  Her light-hearted perspective on life is a breath of fresh air and I could not be more honored to have her today. So grab your coffee and let’s give Catie a big round of applause!

1. 
 What resources do you use to stay organized and remember tasks?
   Not my memory! I try to use my iPhone to manage everything but I have been known to write ideas down on everything, from a napkin to the back of an art project…My daughter is still upset about that one!
2. Quickly walk us through your morning routine:
   I wake up at 6:17 AM (more on this below), take the dogs out, get up my “hopefully happy” child and get her ready for school by 8:00 AM, drive to the gym or Starbucks some days and start work around 9:15 AM.
3. How do you take your coffee and what do you typically eat for breakfast?
   I am a Barry’s Irish Tea drinker with skim milk and a little sugar. Breakfast is a white egg omelet if I have the time or already boiled eggs in a bag from Jewel.
4. What time do you typically get up in the morning?
   6:17 AM. I have no idea why I always pick that time. Maybe I should play the lottery with those numbers or change my iPhone alarm.
5. What mistake do you see people constantly make that they should be aware of?
   Be willing to do anything asked of you when starting a new job. Wear lots of hats and never tell someone you “can’t” do something. Find a way to make it happen and you will be very valuable and successful to your employer.
6. How do you conquer your inbox?
   I have my iPhone always on hand. So, I am constantly checking my inbox. I receive hundreds of emails a day. So, I try to tackle emails in the moment and keep moving.
7. How do you format your emails?
   I believe you can collect more bees with honey than vinegar. I always try to be pleasant but to the point.
8. How do you make time for working out and staying healthy?
   I work out in the mornings before I start my day a few times a week. I am trying to find more time for yoga as well. I met a 70-year-old woman last week at a yoga retreat at the Costa Baja Resort in La Paz Mexico. She did the splits on a paddle board during class. I asked her what her secret was and she told me she does yoga and drinks wine every day! If it works for her, maybe it will work for me…I’ve got the wine part down anyway!
9. Any tips for keeping an organized workspace?
   If you knew me, you would laugh at this question. I am creative and that is a good excuse as to why I am not organized…still working on that one!
10. What other pieces of advice would you like to share?
    Be kind, treat others how you would like to be treated, laugh a lot, smile more, take yoga and drink wine so you can do the splits when you are 70.
11. Favorites…
    *Websites: Thrillist and DNA Chicago,
    *Apps: Instagram, Uber, HouseSeven, Netflix
    *Books: Yes, Please by Amy Poehler, Bossy Pants by Tina Fey. Anything that makes me laugh but also helps me feel empowered!

Catie thank you so much for sharing with us how you Work Smarter, Not Harder! You are such an inspiration and truly admire all your hard work and success. Be sure to watch her on 24/7 City Secrets every Saturday night (after SNL time frame). In the meantime you can find sneak peaks of Catie on Instagram!

Up Next? One of my dearest friends who somehow manages a full-time job while simultaneously obtaining her second masters and completing a principle internship – Jessica Schultz! In addition to teaching 3rd grade at one of the top Elementary schools in the state, she leads several committees and is considered a true leader in the educational space. She is also one of the most organized people I know and some how leads a fruitful social life. To juggle so many balls in the air, you know she has to be organized and prioritize!

Want more? You can find all Work Smarter Not Harder posts right here.