A week in the life... Megan Snow

Megan Snow, project manager at Newcastle-based joinery and interiors firm MAKO, provides an insight into her typical working week, highlighting how she balances commercial sector demands with life outside the office.

Monday: What gets you motivated for the start of the working week?

Monday is all about fresh energy and setting the tone for the week but, like anyone else, I need a strong coffee to get the creativity flowing! 

Whether I’m fine-tuning models, reviewing details on technical drawings or catching up with the team, I always start with a positive outlook. 

When you do what you love as your career choice, motivation comes daily.

Seeing the progress we’re making in interior architectural joinery and cabinetry, and knowing our passion will eventually be realised in someone’s home, is what keeps me looking forward.

Tuesday: The diary is full of meetings and commitments – how do you balance such responsibilities with productivity?

Some weeks can be meeting-heavy, from being on site with clients to design reviews and supplier calls, but they are just another cog in the machine that keeps things moving.

It’s important to take a step back and dedicate time to check in with everyone. 

Success is a team effort, and the collaboration between all parties makes for a flow of efficiency and quality.

It ensures we are delivering the most seamless service to our clients. 

I also lean on good digital tools to manage timelines, and there is nothing like a good-old list to keep my to-do actions in one place.

Wednesday: Halfway there – how do you stay focused and re-energise yourself for the days to come?

Midweek is always a good time to reflect. 

I like to review progress across projects, make sure all clients have been updated and that they have a clear view on what is happening behind the scenes.

I try to batch tasks, so I can get into the rhythm and nothing disrupts my focus.

By this point in the week, I’ve done most of the leg work, which allows me to get into the more creative and technical parts of projects I enjoy the most. 

I stay focused by finalising phases ready to share with clients and being fully integrated into their vision, and being sure what I deliver meets their needs.

Thursday: The weekend draws closer – how do you remain on top of your to-do list as the end of the week gets nearer?

I am usually pretty good at keeping on top of things.

On particularly heavy weeks, however, I always step back to look at the bigger picture, to see what phases projects have reached and what I can complete by the end of the week.

Now is always a good time to check in at the workshop, to keep the team motivated and supported by making sure what they need is accessible to them, while also briefing new drawings and reviewing the schedule of work. 

I’m always happy to hear when they’ve had a successful fit on site and received positive client reviews, and I keep them updated on what we have coming up.

Friday: The last day – how do you approach Fridays, and how do you unwind over the weekend?

Fridays are about wrapping things up neatly, sending out final updates and making sure I’ve done some prep ready for the following week.

In the office, we always maintain a positive and uplifting environment; we listen to music and chat as we tick our final tasks off, which helps us wind down. 

At the weekend, I like to completely switch off and recharge.

I love spending time outdoors, especially on the coast, trying new coffee shops and catching up with family and friends.

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