Buzz
Each week, we bring you the productivity hacks, favorite tools, and workspace setups of the experts we admire. This week, we're taking you inside Mytour's creative process with me, Alicia Adamczyk, showing you how I work.
Location: New York City Current Role: Staff Writer, Mytour Current Mobile Device: iPhone 7 Current Computer: MacBook Air One word to describe my work style: Evolving
First, share a bit about your journey and how you ended up where you are today.
Growing up in Michigan with plenty of free time, I decided to be the unofficial neighborhood reporter. Armed with a notebook, I interviewed friends after roller hockey games, though I never wrote any formal pieces. Those reporting instincts carried me to the University of Michigan's college paper, where my work was published and occasionally read by someone other than my parents. I’ve always dreamed of being a writer and never really had a backup plan (a note to aspiring writers: always have a backup). I landed an internship at Forbes in my senior year, then moved to NYC after graduating, and I’ve been here ever since.
Walk us through a typical workday for you.
My workdays follow a predictable routine: I usually arrive at the office around 8:30 a.m., start by checking emails, then dive into Feedly, Reddit, and a few other bookmarked sites to brainstorm story ideas. I have a running list of evergreen topics I might explore or I’ll dive into the latest news depending on what’s trending.
Having the office to myself at the start of the day helps me stay focused, plan my tasks, and organize my to-do list. I never skip breakfast, typically opting for a bagel with cream cheese and tomato, though I occasionally go for something healthier.
I prefer to schedule interviews in the morning if possible, followed by writing my first story of the day. I believe in tackling the most challenging or tedious tasks first, so I try to handle them early. Around noon or 1 p.m., I take a break for lunch and a walk to recharge.
Afterward, I focus on writing my afternoon story and preparing longer, more in-depth stories for upcoming days. I typically wrap up my day around 6 p.m., or earlier if I have a workout class scheduled.
What apps, tools, or gadgets are essential for you?
There are so many! My top choice is a journal. There’s just something irreplaceable about writing your thoughts and notes by hand in the moment. I take it with me everywhere.
That being said, I rely on Microsoft OneNote for keeping track of just about everything digitally (it’s where I store my to-do lists, shopping lists, and so many other lists). It can be a bit slow at times, but it’s my favorite of all the similar services I’ve tried.
AirPods are my latest obsession—they have a futuristic vibe, but they’re so much more practical for commuting and running than my old earphones. For when I want to block out the world, I use a pair of high-quality over-ear, noise-cancelling headphones. I listen to custom playlists on Spotify Premium (which is totally worth the subscription), and for podcasts, I use the Overcast app.
The last “gadget” I can’t live without is a water bottle. I drink one while getting ready for work, several throughout the day, and more when I get home. Staying hydrated is a must!
What does your workspace look like?
In our office, my setup is pretty simple at the shared desk: laptop, books, a water bottle, and a small plant. I ditched my standing desk since I never used it and it took up too much space in the cramped area. I also like changing my seating a couple of times a day to help me focus, so I’ll move to one of the privacy rooms, the phone booths, or even a coffee shop. I tend to pace a lot, especially during interviews, so I need room and privacy to avoid disturbing others.
Because of that, I actually prefer doing interviews from my tiny NYC studio rather than the office, although that’s not always possible. When I’m working from home, I like to spread out—often by sitting on the floor on my yoga mat or walking up and down the hallway. Sometimes, I’ll work from the couch or bed, with an old laptop playing HGTV for some background noise.
What’s your top shortcut or life hack?
Automate as much as possible so you can focus on and enjoy the things that truly matter to you.
A quick tip: Put your phone on airplane mode. Whether you're at work, at home, or at yoga—just do it. If there’s nothing urgent (or kids involved, I suppose), give yourself a break!
Walk us through an interesting, quirky, or meticulous process you follow at work.
Nothing too peculiar, but if things aren’t organized—like emails read, Feedly lists checked, and two stories chosen for the day—my mind starts to wander to everything else on my to-do list, making it hard to focus on any single task. So, I prefer to clear all that up first thing in the morning.
Who are the people that help you get things done, and how do you rely on them?
My friends and family constantly motivate and support me, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have them. More broadly, our readers—since everything we do is for them—and my colleagues, who are kind, intelligent, and incredibly creative.
How do you stay organized and keep track of your tasks?
I rely on Microsoft OneNote for nearly everything, and I use a reporter's notepad specifically for daily tasks, reminders, and meeting notes. We use Trello to track all our stories, so that’s essential for me. I also maintain a Google Doc for stories and topics I plan to address down the line, along with potential sources. And I’m a huge fan of Post-its for quick reminders.
How do you unwind or take a break?
Outside of work, I recharge by running, taking spin classes, cooking, watching 30 Rock, or simply taking an afternoon or day off to do absolutely nothing.
What’s your favorite side project?
Right now, my main side project is my money newsletter, but I’m also working on an exciting new writing project (unrelated to money) that I can’t wait to share!
What are you reading at the moment, or what do you recommend?
The best book I’ve read recently is Educated by Tara Westover, and right now I’m tackling Debt: The First 5,000 Years by David Graeber. It’s so long, I feel like I’ll be reading it for the next 5,000 years.
Who else would you like to see answer these questions?
Karen and Georgia from the My Favorite Murder podcast! They manage so many projects at once. And Ann Friedman, who seems to have nailed the freelance life.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
It’s not exactly traditional “advice,” but someone once told me, “You’re doing ok.” Sometimes it’s important to remind yourself that you’re exactly where you need to be and that the best things take time.
What’s a challenge you’re still working on solving?
There are plenty. As a personal finance writer, one major challenge is making money topics engaging and accessible to as many people as possible, while still offering solid advice—especially to those who need it the most. I probably won’t ever fully solve it, but I’m still working on it.
The How I Work series invites heroes, experts, and highly productive individuals to share their shortcuts, workspaces, routines, and more. Got someone you’d like to see featured, or questions you think we should ask? Email Nick.
