Every week, we share the shortcuts, workspaces, and productivity tips of our favorite experts and internet personalities. This week, however, we're giving you guys a glimpse into how we work, and all the tips and tricks that keep our blogging wheels spinning.
I'm fairly new to Lifehacker, so I wasn't around the last time we did these. I used to write computer books and corporate tech pieces and my workflow has changed pretty dramatically this past year. I've always been a desktop app guy, but now I've given almost all of that up.
Location: Huntsville, Alabama
Current gig: Community Editor for Lifehacker
Current mobile device: iPhone 4. And yep?that's a bright red Otterbox on it. I love the freedom of not having to baby my phone and I never lose the thing.
Current computer: Custom-built Windows 8 PC. I also have a beat-up old HP dv1000 laptop that I keep thinking about replacing, but never get around to since everything I do with it these days is web-based.
What apps/software/tools can't you live without?
If there's a perfect system out there for me, I haven't found it yet. For years, I pretty much lived in Outlook and other Office apps. Now, I use Evernote for storing all my notes, random ideas, recipes, scanned documents, and so on. Dropbox is another must-have. I like that it's so dead-simple to use, reliable, and that they've managed to go toe-to-toe with some of the biggest names in the business for this long.
I use Google for almost everything else. Transitioning from Outlook to Gmail was difficult (and something I'd flirted with for a long time), but I'm glad I finally did it. Google Docs is also great for most of the work I do, but I admit I still keep Office around for the odd job because I'm so used to it and because I can still do a lot with it that I just can't do otherwise.
On my phone, I can't imagine going without Drafts (I still owe Thorin for turning me on to that one). It's lovely being able to capture a thought so quickly and then worry about where to send it later. I'm also a compulsive reader, so Kindle and Pocket both get a lot of use.
What's your workspace setup like?
I work almost exclusively in my home office. I'm a die hard PC gamer and love building systems, so you can pretty much guess my setup. I use a custom-built Windows 8 PC, dual monitors, and a pair of Bose Companion 2 desktop speakers. Only two speakers? Yes, because I do most of my gaming with a headset.
It's a hard thing for a writer and gamer to change to a different mouse and keyboard, so you'll see a couple of old-school choices on my desk. That's a Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro and a Logitech MX518. The Natural Keyboard Pro is a split design and really saved my wrists from long hours of typing. It also has a great action on the keys that's somewhere between a stiff mechanical keyboard and the did-I-actually-press-a-key feel of most keyboards today. They stopped making them years ago, but when I heard they were going away, I bought half a dozen and stuck them in a closet. And the MX518 because, well, they stopped making new mice after they got it right, didn't they?
The desk itself is just a big, cheap corner desk I bought at some office store years ago. I like a lot of space to spread out. The middle section is large enough to hold a couple of big monitors and deep enough that there's plenty of space behind them for things I'd rather not look at. Although after reading about Whitson's setup, I'm seriously considering a door stopper stand. My favorite feature of my desk is the keyboard drawer. It's big, super sturdy, and both height- and tilt-adjustable with a single control. I usually have it lowered and tilted slightly away from me, but can raise it up flush my desk when I need to.
What's your best time-saving shortcut/life hack?
Saying no. For the longest time, I had a real problem saying no?a new project, a new client, a friend who wanted to do something I didn't really have time for. Somewhere along the line (and this came during my freelancing days), I learned that I could say no and it didn't have to cost me future business opportunities or friendships. It was a liberating revelation.
What's your favorite to-do list manager?
I got into the habit long ago of just using e-mail for my work to-do list. I'm in e-mail all the time anyway and it's so easy to shoot myself a message when there's something I need to to. I can use all the standard e-mail features (labels, filters, and so on) to sort them out and when I'm done, they're off to a Done folder. Too simple. I've looked at all kinds of to-do apps, but there are none that have really grabbed me so far. I'm still holding out hope that the folks at Evernote will put something cool together.
For my personal to-do list, if it's time-based I stick it on my calendar. If it's not, I just try to remember. That usually works out pretty well. For my calendar, I favor paper. It may sound crazy, but I just love having a huge paper calendar on my desk that I can write and draw and circle things on, with plenty of space for notes and post-its. Plus, it gives me a good reason to keep my colored pencils around.
Besides your phone and computer, what gadget can't you live without?
Probably the navigation system in my car (currently a TomTom). When I'm in a place I don't really know, I like to explore. Having a GPS in the car lets me do that without ever worrying about finding my way back if I need to. Also, after you've done service for a few years as Dad-Taxi, not having to rely on your children for instructions to their new friends' homes is nice.
What everyday thing are you better at than everyone else? What's your secret?
I'm an excellent sounding board. I'm good at listening to people's ideas and helping them figure out how to make them even better or combine them with other peoples' ideas to create something really fresh.
What do you listen to while you work?
Mostly, nothing. I spend most of my work day reading and writing and I like to do that in silence. At other times, it really depends on what I'm doing. When I drive, I favor podcasts and audiobooks. I use iTunes to organize my library and sync my phone, but I mostly use Spotify to actually listen to music. I'm also a fan of Stereomood, because sometimes it's nice to just pick how you're feeling and have it queue up a nice long playlist.
What's your sleep routine like?
I've always been a night owl. When I was freelancing, my hours were near-vampiric. Now, I work during the days but since I work from home, I still don't have to be a super early riser. I like to wake up, grab a cup of coffee, and sit down directly at my desk to start working. A 30-second commute really helps with that. If I start my day still a little groggy, my brain doesn't distract me so much and I can dive right in. By the time my brain fully awakens, I've got it just where I want it.
Are you more of an introvert or an extrovert?
Tests score me straight down the middle. I like working with people, love being with family and friends, and also love my time alone. I think it's a misconception that introverts don't like being with people and extroverts don't like being alone. It's more about how you recharge your batteries. When considered that way, I'd have to say I'm an introvert. As much as I enjoy being with people, being alone is where I get my charge.
Is there anyone you'd kill to see answer these same questions?
I was told I would not be asked to incriminate myself during these interviews. Still, there are a couple of people I'd love to see do How I Work. John Cleese is funny and awesome, sure, but he also has some really interesting ideas about creativity and the space you make for it to happen. Seriously. It's kind of long, but give this video a watch. We can always get back to me when you're done.
I'm also going to jump on the bandwagon and say how much I'd like to see Alton Brown come show his stuff. He's probably the most name-checked life hacker in the history of the site, so we might as well get him on record.
What's the best advice you've ever received?
"Take the job at Lifehacker. You spend all your time there, anyway." - My family.
My other favorite piece of advice probably wasn't intended for me directly, but I like to pretend that it was. And yes, I'm going to drop a quote on you:
"Learn from everyone. Follow no one. Watch for patterns. Work like hell."
That's advice on being successful from a TED talk given by Scott McCloud, the guy who wrote the inestimable Understanding Comics. And now I'm going to give you a piece of advice. Read his book. Even if you're not the least bit into comics, read his book. I always recommend it to anyone who does anything even remotely creative in their work or personal life (so, everyone really). One of my former editors sent it to me with a note that just said "You're Welcome."
Is there anything else you'd like to add that might be interesting to readers/fans?
I was given this career advice when I was younger and I recently gave it to my son, who's in high school now. Forget doing what you love; do what you enjoy. When it comes to careers, it's easy to fall in love with the idea of being, say, a doctor and then come to find years later that you just don't enjoy the job.
So first, think about how you enjoy spending your day. Do you like being alone or with people? Do you like sitting in front of a computer or moving around? Do you like solving problems? And get specific. If you like working with people, do you prefer working with them one-on-one, in teams, talking to groups. Then start looking at things that fit your style. Everyone should enjoy how they spend their days.
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