Cassandra Hili is the founder and director of Millennium Communications, a PR and marketing agency. Prior to launching the agency, she was a blogger and influencer.
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1) To kick things off, could you tell us a little about your career background and current role?
I’m the founder and director of Millennium Communications, a PR and marketing agency that builds authentic, long-term relationships between brands and consumers. Prior to MC, I was a blogger and influencer.
During that time, I learnt everything about building an authentic brand and working with the media, so it led to a career in media and PR. I started the agency in late 2016 and has been an incredible roller coaster since.
2) What does a day in the life look like for you? Can you take us through a recent workday?
I like to think that no day in my shoes is the same. I start my morning off with a strong coffee as I look over emails and prepare myself for the day, and usually start work at around 8-8:30am if I don’t have any meetings.
My mornings generally consist of either meetings or working on our client’s projects, and even sometimes bumping in for an event. I generally won’t have lunch until about 1:30-2pm, and even then, I usually have it at my desk.
I aim to always wrap up my day at around 5:30-6pm and end my day with some exercise, such as walking or even stretching. I always set myself five goals for the day and I aim to complete these goals before I go to bed.
3) Does your current role allow for flexible or remote working? If so, how does that fit into your life and routine?
Prior to COVID-19, I did have an office where I was working from an office every day. However, due to the crisis, financially it didn’t fit in within my budget, so now I have the flexibility to work remotely.
It fits better now within my lifestyle, as I can now work either from home, a cafe etc. I am someone who can get bored quite easily, so it is quite important for me to have different environments and flexibility.
I’m also one who is big into travel, so by saving the money, when the borders reopen, I will have more financial and lifestyle flexibility.
4) What does work-life balance mean to you and how do you work to achieve that goal?
It’s really important to me. I’m a really big family person, so for me, it’s important that I have a balance in all aspects of my life. At first, trying to achieve this was really challenging, but over the years I have managed to find a way to balance it.
The big key for me is knowing what needs to be attended to straight away, and what can wait until tomorrow. I also ensure that at the end of every day, I spend time with my family and make a conscious decision to participate in the conversation, rather than being caught up in work. I also try to keep my weekends for family and friends, with minimal work.
5) In the past 12 months, have you started or stopped any routines or habits to change your life?
Oh that’s a big yes. Over the last 12 months, I have been trying to get back into making exercise and sleep a big priority in my life.
At times, we can get really busy and I tend to not make them a priority, without realising the effect it has on my mental health. So now, I set realistic exercise goals every week and aim to go to bed at the same time every night.
6) Do you have any favourite books, podcasts or newsletters that you’d like to recommend?
Right now I’m reading The Alchemist and I’m loving it!
7) Are there any products, gadgets or apps that you can’t live without?
I highly recommend the app Calm. It’s a great app with guided meditations and it really helps my unwind before I go to sleep.
8) If you could read an interview about work-life balance by anyone, who would that be?
Probably Kim Kardashian West. I love how her priority is her family and health, so I would love to learn more about how she does it and manages it, whilst studying law.
9) Do you have any last thoughts on work, life or balance that you’d like to share with our readers?
Make it a priority, but also be lenient. At the end of the day, life and work can get in the way of one another sometimes, so be forgiving if it sometimes doesn’t work out.
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This conversation is brought to you by holistic health expert Josephine Zappia, helping individuals globally achieve wellness from within.
