Morning Brew - 🩺 Hold up, hey Dr. Dray

Time-saving tools and products we’re really into rn.

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Okay, so we know you read Optimize because you want to save time. But some things should be off limits to productivity hacks, like friendships.

“I would really encourage professionals in any field to leverage social media to reach people, because you never know the impact you can have.”

Dr. Andrea Suarez, aka Dr. Dray, is a Houston-based, board-certified dermatologist and skincare expert best known for her fun and insightful skincare videos across YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Kickoff: “I’m an early riser…I get up, I do a little movement, do my skincare routine, have my coffee, and I’m pretty much ready to go. My mornings, depending on the day, are going to consist of clinical consults.”

Mapping her time: “Having a good awareness of how much time it actually takes to get things done makes it easier to say no to things that come your way. Because you can’t add more hours to the day. If you’ve taken the time to plan out what you need to do well in advance, there’s no way to take on things that aren’t going to feed into that.”

Asking for help: “I think the key is to not just sit there and struggle in silence, but to reach out for help and to verbalize what you need. That’s something I struggled with when I was younger…You can’t just do things all alone. So when roadblocks come up, if you don’t reach out for help, then you’re just gonna get stuck.”

Slaying her inbox: “I have become a lot more succinct with my email communication…Back in my younger years, I would have felt like I needed to be a lot more formal. And nowadays I’m fine with a simple ‘oh, that sounds great.’”

Finding balance: “Scheduling and planning: That is really what can set you up for success. I spend a good chunk of time just sitting down with paper and pen, because I’m old school, and mapping out what my month is going to look like, [and] what kind of content I intend to [make]. Then I develop a strategy for creating that content, [and] how it’s going to intertwine with my clinical consults. And then I just execute that plan and it’s worked out well for me, but it requires you to be able to say no to a lot of things and prioritize what is important to you.”

A good night’s rest: “I find that the foundation kind of crumbles when sleep is not prioritized. So if I’m traveling, I will say no to certain things if I know it’s my bedtime. Because if I’m sacrificing sleep I’m just not going to be able to perform; I’m not going to be able to help people.”

Social media’s power: “The online world has really become a powerful tool for taking whatever expertise you might have and disseminating it to a larger audience. I would really encourage professionals in any field, medicine in particular, to leverage social media to reach people, because you never know the impact you can have…it really can help your career in ways you would never even really imagine.”

Room for improvement: “For me, it’s the work-life balance piece that I think everybody is always trying to improve upon. I’m so passionate about what I’m doing that my work doesn’t feel like work, it feels like I’m having a good time…So, I do find that it’s actually hard to stop and touch base in real life with my friends and things like that. I’m always trying to get better at that.”—MW

Your punch list for when you punch out.

Read: While our parents likely won’t agree with all our life choices, one writer shared her controversial decision to become a vegan while living with her Chinese-Mexican immigrant parents—and the fallout that ensued, in this Mic article.

Watch: The Rental on Netflix follows two couples on a trip to celebrate their business success, who quickly come to realize that their lovely rental has some serious secrets. It’s an Airbnb lover’s worst nightmare.

Drink: If you can’t tell, we’re counting down the days till summer. With Memorial Day less than 5 weeks away, these Margaladaoma ice pops (the perfect combo of a margarita, a paloma, and a michelada) can be enjoyed during hot summer days and also on the fast-approaching Cinco De Mayo.

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Burning questions of our time.

Your thoughts on the magic interview number:

As a recruiter, I think 2 interviews for most positions is enough, but 3 interviews for high-paying positions is acceptable. Any more than that and you’re wasting everyone’s time. Make an offer and invest your time and energy in the best candidate.—@RedsWhiskey

My magic interview number is 3. They either want you, or they don’t. At 4 interviews, I’d walk away, unless the recruiter can give me a damn good reason to go through with it, the employer is so special and the job so coveted that I’d consider taking the time to bone up for #4 (but no more).—Alesa

Putting your cards on the table

After spending two years staring into each other’s living rooms on Zoom, it’s safe to say we’ve gotten a tad more personal with our colleagues. As a result, it stands to reason that when applying to jobs, we may feel comfortable sharing more about ourselves and our personal lives than in the Before Times. Gen Z, for example, got creative with applications and shared more of their interests in nontraditional ways. But should you present your whole self at the application stage, such as in a resume or cover letter? Is it possible to share too much and ruin your chances? What’s the best way to show you’re a fit for a company? Hit Reply to share your thoughts.—SS