Eat Clean

BRIGHT IDEA

Playing with the things on your desk may spark a lightbulb moment. BY ABIGAIL LIBERS

Absentmindedly twirling paper clips, rubber bands and other random doodads while you work may not be so mindless after all. “When you’re trying to work out a problem, doing something physical and rhythmic can help get the creative juices flowing,” says Michael Karlesky, a New York University researcher who found in a recent survey that 91 percent of people said they fiddle or doodle as they work. Previous research shows that sequential finger movements may activate large brain regions involved in creativity and memory (and some kids with ADHD are even encouraged to fidget in order to boost focus). Karlesky thinks playing with small objects may have the same benefits. Although nervous habits like biting your nails are also productive, spare your manicure by keeping a stress ball on your desk.

SELF MADE KATIE DELANEY

The wine director at Club W shares advice on creating the job of your dreams. BY LISA HANEY

Even before her first sip, Katie Delaney, 28, was interested in wine: The Orange County, California, native researched wine fermentation for a high school project. “I thought the science was fascinating,” she says. After studying agriculture and marketing in college, she worked in Napa vineyards, then as a sommelier. But she struggled to find a position that combined her creative interests and business savvy. “I felt my perfect job didn’t exist,” she says. So Delaney networked like crazy and started a wine blog—which caught the eye of Club W, a Los Angeles– based wine-subscription service. Now she’s the company’s wine director, working with vineyards to source grapes, overseeing production of Club W’s own offerings and writing about wine—a position tailor-made for her skills. “I ended up in a job that’s fun, challenging and better than I could have imagined,” she says. Here, her tips for paving your own career path.

GET YOUR HANDS DIRTY “The best way to learn is by doing—you don’t hop right to the top of the ladder. In the cellars I had to drag hoses and pumps around. You have to show you have muscle and drive, no matter what the job is.”

FOCUS ON THE LONG GAME “There’s always a benefit to networking, even if it’s not immediate. Remember people’s names and be informed enough that they remember yours.” DON’T BE SHY “Try to suck as much knowledge out of your bosses as you can. Some people might be afraid to ask questions, but it’s better to be proactive than nervous and quiet.”

SHAZAM THIS PAGE TO GET MORE SUCCESS SECRETS FROM SELF-MADE WOMEN.

My mission is to make wine more fun and less intimidating.”

NETWORKING MUST

“I always give people my card. You never know what can happen.”

CARD HOLDER

$425; Goyard.com for stores

DAILY EXERCISE

“I love Pure Barre—and if you look good, it’s usually a better workout!”

SPORTS BRA $30; Aritzia.com

INFLUENTIAL READ

“You have to keep learning. This book has given me a new perspective on my business.”

GO-TO ROSÉ

“It’s perfect for a nice day at the beach.”

WINE $13; ClubW.com

WEEKEND ESCAPE “For me, walking into a vineyard is instant decompression.”

BEAUTY STAPLE

“A little eyeshadow makes me feel dressed up for work.”

EYESHADOW $40; MACCosmetics.com

LEARNING CURVE

IT’S LIKE RIDING A BIKE

After a bad breakup, Alyssa Shelasky found her balance— and eventually, romance—by getting back in the saddle.

I’ve never been afraid to take risks, especially when it comes to love. But the spontaneous (OK, manic?) decision to move to Rome to live with Marco (not his real name)—a sexy, cigarette-rolling Italian— was my biggest gamble yet. “Never trust a guy who smokes,” warned a friend’s husband as I left my Brooklyn, New York, loft, supportive family and well-designed fitness routine behind. Love comes first.

Friend’s Husband was right. After almost a year, Marco broke my heart on top of the Spanish Steps. He had come to the conclusion he wanted to be “single forever.” Sure. It was an emotional ambush, and it hurt like hell. I started to think real love comes…never.

Utterly defeated and, for the first time I can remember, dead scared about the future, I flew home to New York City, bitterly aware that the healthy and successful life I’d cultivated for myself had been shut down. My beloved apartment was rented out. My regular writing assignments—which always kept me busy with spa travel, sex experts and starlet interviews—had been contracted out to others. My membership to Equinox, canceled; my 30-class package at SoulCycle, absorbed by my sister.

All I had to call my own was a twin bed at my parents’ place and a weak, vulnerable body composed of pasta and pain. The worst part was that my inner strength was injured. Despite years of romantic ups and downs, I had always felt somewhat emotionally bulletproof, like there was nothing I couldn’t handle. Because this breakup was so dramatic (Italy!) and so dark (before my eyes, he turned into a different person), I’d lost my BIKE > 68