Meet Managing Editor Beth Macdonald

What started four years ago as a career blog has grown into a brand that empowers women worldwide. CGD LONDON is the product of four years of hard work getting to know you and your struggles, and trying to look for innovative ways to solve your problems. Now we want to give you a chance to get to know us.

This week we’re sitting down with our Managing Editor Beth. At just 26, she’s already been in control of Career Girl Daily’s content for four years, so it’s safe to say she’s got a lot going on in her daily life. Here’s what she had to say about who she is and what she does.

Who are you?

Hi. My name is Beth Macdonald, and I’m the Managing Editor of CGD LONDON. My job is to create content for CGD LONDON, whether it’s writing and editing or making magic and designing graphics.

Where are you from?

I’m from a little city called Lichfield in the United Kingdom, where the inventor of the dictionary lived. I moved to London a few years ago and have never looked back.

What did you do to get to where you are?

I studied English Literature at the University of the West of England, and while I was there I decided to start up my own digital magazine. Once I graduated, I used that to secure my first internship. I interned as part of the digital team at Time Inc, updating websites and creating copy that sold the magazines.

After the internship ended, I decided to try new things and went on to freelance as a food, culture, lifestyle and fashion photography writer for a variety of different publications all over the world. I studied words and I loved the power that they had, the power to communicate directly with someone without ever meeting them. To make people feel emotions. Because of my love of writing, I found myself browsing the internet one night and discovered Career Girl Daily. I adored it from day one, because it shared my values and had this huge potential. I sent off one email to meet the team and my life changed from there.

What’s your morning routine? 

I wake up an hour before my alarm these days, and once I’m up I like to start my day with a matcha tea. Matcha has a whole host of benefits that I feel help kickstart my morning. I’ll get ready by picking out my outfit for the day and starting my skincare routine. For me, keeping it simple is key. I like to leave feeling boosted, productive, and in control of the day. So I always lift myself up before I get to work, whether it’s with a good book, podcast, or playlist.

How do you like to use the GTD planner?

I have a lot of high pressure tasks to finish during the week, so creating structure in my Getting Things Done Planner is essential for me. I start by writing out every single thing I have to achieve in that day, and give them time slots from 9am until 5pm. Once the work day is finished, I love to work on myself, too. Meal planning and exercise are an essential part of my life.

I work out for at least 30 minutes every evening, whether it’s skipping with my rope outside or doing a workout plan, so writing it down keeps me on track and makes working on myself easy.

Best piece of professional advice you’ve received?

Think before you act and always work smarter, not harder. It’s really important to me that everything I do or think about is backed by research and smart thinking. It helps me to manage everything and to be the best version of myself I can possibly be.

What do you have on your desk?

I have a folder with all my documents that takes pride of place on my desk. I keep my Getting Things Done planner next to my computer, but I like to keep it minimalistic and clean. A tidy desk equals a tidy mind.

What’s your current favorite book?

I’m reading Purple Cow by Seth Godin at the moment. I love fiction, but I also love to work on myself and teach myself new things. In this book, marketing genius Seth tells the story of the Purple Cow and how to put it into everything you think and do. The Purple Cow concept is something phenomenal and unbelievable, and being able to bring that into everything you do is a game-changer.

Which emoji best represents you?

The starry-eyed smiley.

Podcast of choice?

The Good Life Project. Every podcast they do features a successful, creative thinker. From Elizabeth Gilbert to Brene Brown. There are so many lessons here that are applicable to women who work hard, from earning money, how to structure your life for success, and the power of creating habits.

 

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