PublishedAug 12, 2026 1:08 PM EDT
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We’ve barely put away our champagne glasses and tiptoed into the New Year, and yet it’s already time to look ahead. You’ve said it before, but this time you really mean it: This is the year you become your most productive,organized self. And since imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, we’re kicking off your year of productivity with tips from an expert—Misha Nonoo.
Fashion designer Nonoo’s eponymous label is built around efficiency. She’s best known for her “Easy 8” collection (where buyers streamline their wardrobes into a capsule closet of chic, minimalist pieces) and her emphasis on eco-conscious design; essentially, she’s perfected the art of doing more with less and using sustainability and smart decision-making to drive innovation. And she’s got the accolades to prove it: Nonoo was a finalist for the 2013 Vogue/CFDA Fashion Fund, a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, and one of Fast Company’s Most Creative People in Business 2018. So we figured—who better to share tips on productivity and efficiency than one of fashion’s leading voices in the field?
Keep reading for Nonoo’s advice on everything from workspace organization (hint: It’s okay not to be perfect) to smart caffeinating.
What’s the One:
… morning ritual you won’t skip?
Along with meditation, I always make sure I either hit the gym for a workout or take Thatcher (my gorgeous Cavapoo) for a walk to put me in the right mindset.
… trick for tackling your to-do list?
I meditate every morning, and that clears my head so I can map out the day ahead and prioritize what’s most important. What I will say is, don’t pile too many things onto your list, as you’ll only feel discouraged if you can’t cross everything off—there are only so many hours in the day.
… organization tool you rely on?
I would be completely lost without mySmythson diary. Events, brunch dates, photo shoots, and strategy meetings are always penciled in. And it’s so beautiful.
… way you keep clutter and distractions at bay?
I try to make sure that when I start a project, I finish it or do as much as I can before shifting my attention elsewhere. It’s easier said than done when your inbox keeps filling up with things that need attention. Also, if you’re tackling something that needs your undivided focus, stash your phone in a drawer for an hour so Instagram can’t tempt you.
… tip for keeping your desk organized?
I have to say I’m meticulously organized in most aspects of my life, but my desk is something I really have to work at to keep in order. I try never to keep any unnecessary paperwork on my desk. I either file it or recycle it.
… thing you do to beat the midday slump?
A big cup of green tea.
… small luxury you indulge in to stay sane?
A phone call to my mom in the UK always recalibrates me if I need a quick breather.
… shop you love for office supplies?
Papiermakes lovely notepads and notecards, which you can also have personalized. As a Brit abroad, I’m also a fan of athank-you note, so I’m a serious stationery nut.
… tip for being most productive at work?
Delegate to your team and play to their strengths—you can only be in so many places at once.
… trick for snapping out of a funk when you’re feeling uninspired?
Whenever I hit a creative roadblock, I love visiting art galleries or museums around New York City. I can always find inspiration on their walls.
Explore more ways to make 2019 your most productive year yet:Here’s How a Productivity Expert Plans Out Her WeekYes, There Is a Way to Meal-Prep—One Pro Shows Us How30 Things Your Home Doesn’t Really Need
Elly Leavitt
Writer and Editor
Elly enjoys covering everything from travel to funky design (tubular furniture, anyone?) to the latestcultural trend. Her dream apartment would sit on the Upper West Side and include a plethora of mismatched antique chairs, ceramic vessels, and floor-to-ceiling bookcases—essential to her goal of becoming a poor man’s Nora Ephron. You can probably find her in line at Trader Joe’s. You will never find her at SoulCycle.
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