Fusion's "This Is How I Work" series spotlights some of the most interesting, fun-loving and flat-out productive people we know, our Team Members. Join us as we learn about their shortcuts, routines, celebrity crushes and everything in-between.
Liz Caron is a do-it-all wunderkind Assistant Project Manager and also happens to be our resident "The Office" expert.
She never passes up an opportunity to deliver for her clients or insert a well-timed "That's what she said!" joke. We sat down with Liz to learn about her day-to-day and discover how she makes the magic happen.
Can you tell me about your background and a little about yourself?
I grew up in New Hampshire and went to Syracuse for Architecture. I got my Bachelor's Degree in Architecture and then worked in New Hampshire for a year and a half. Afterwards, I moved to LA and worked there for two years before moving back to Boston. This is actually my first job doing interiors. My last jobs were in ground-up architecture so I liked coming to Fusion where I am involved in fast-paced, smaller projects.
What is one word you would use to describe yourself and why?
Chatty? I like people and I like talking a lot.
What’s an item you can’t live without?
Chapstick. Cherry Chapstick. All day.
What is your go to time saving shortcut or hack?
I always make a list every week. Sometimes I change it during the week, but I religiously follow it. I’ll make a list of things that have to be done so I don’t have to waste time digging through emails or trying to remember things, I just write them down. I love checking things off. I not only check things off but I cross them out in highlighter. It feels great.
What everyday thing are you exceptional at? What’s your secret?
Keeping on task. When I need to be doing heads down work, I can do it. Sometimes it means I put my headphones on, which I know not everyone likes to do. But if I have to get something done, it helps me to buckle down and do it.
"I have a very carefully curated Beyoncé Pandora radio that has survived since college. It’s amazing."
What do you listen to while you work?
It depends. If I’m doing something that requires me to read or focus, I like to listen to music without lyrics. So, I'll listen to classical or one of my go-to’s is the Game of Thrones sound tracks from all seasons. I know it’s kind of epic and crazy but it’s not distracting. I am also a huge Beyoncé fan so I listen to that a lot. I have a very carefully curated Beyoncé Pandora radio that has survived since college. It’s amazing.
Are you currently reading something? What’s a book/article you’d recommend?
Yes, I like to read. I used to read a lot more when I was younger but now that I’m a bit older, I don’t read as much. Right now, I’m reading The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty. It’s kind of a thriller drama. I’ve read the typical, Gone Girl and Girl on the Train but I like those kinds of reads. I've gotten back into reading more now that I’m living in Boston and taking the train. It's funny how everyone on the train is on their cell phone. Sometimes it’s nice to just have a book and not be attached to a device. And plus, I don’t want to use too much data.
What is something you think everyone should do at least once in their lives?
I would say to drive cross country, I’ve done it twice. I first did it with my mom when I was moving to LA and we did it in five days, hauling ass. Along the way, we got to see some amazing places like the Robie House by Frank Lloyd Wright. We also stayed in Flagstaff, woke up at the crack of dawn and saw the sunrise at the Grand Canyon. We even made it to LA in that same day, it was awesome. I think everyone should do that at least once. It’s a lot of time in the car but it’s something you will always remember.
What is a skill you’ve always wanted to learn?
The first thing that popped into my head would be water-skiing. It sounds random but almost everyone in my family are huge water skiers. My parents were avid water-skiers when they were young and my brother is so amazingly good. I could hardly even get up on two skis. That's something I would love to be better at.
What’s the best way to start the day?
My mom always said breakfast is the most important meal of the day… with that said, I do not eat breakfast. I eat a piece of cheese when I get to work and have three coffees. But I think people should eat breakfast. I just love sleep so much that I don’t have time to make it. That’s a perfect thing to add to the previous question about a skill I’d like to learn: I would love to be able to get up in the morning and just make some coffee and an omelet and just read the paper by the window with my cat with the sun streaming through the window.
Is there anything else you’d like to add that might be interesting to our readers?
Adam Sandler grew up in my hometown and I’ve shaken his hand twice. Both times were at the Puritan Backroom, the go-to Manchester, New Hampshire spot. Also, try the chicken tenders and mudslides, they're incredible.
This interview has been lightly edited.
Special thanks to our intern extraordinaire Olivia Gullotti for interviewing and creating the art for this episode of "This Is How I Work". Beyoncé would be proud.