Every week, we ask interesting people how they work.

This week we’re answering our own questions about how people get it done.

After all, don’t ask a question you wouldn’t feel comfortable answering yourself.

Now it’s my turn.

After all, what if we find a new tip for Windows for Workgroups?

What apps/software/tools can’t you live without?

I have a ton of Google-based accounts, soMailplanelets me check them all at once.

For all my work at Lifehacker, Pocket tracks all my articles.

As I read, I can email articles directly to Pocket and tag them for Lifehacker.

If I don’t write about them immediately, I can send them directly to Evernote.

Evernote keeps my Pocket tags, so I can easily track my article ideas when I’m stuck.

Dropbox keeps my1Passwordin sync so I never worry about remembering my logins.

Backblaze and Crashplan keep me backed up in case one of my hard drives go belly up.

The one tool I couldn’t live without is myMatias Tactile Prokeyboard.

It’s an old-school clickety-clack mechanical keyboard.

I always missed my big Apple Extended Keyboard and this is the closest thing to it.

Over five years later, the keys haven’t worn off.

What’s your workspace setup like?

I’m mobile most of the time, and I constantly change out my mobile devices.

That way I’m not too comfortable with any one gear.

It just depends on my mood.

What’s your best time-saving shortcut/life hack?

I’m a big believer in contexts for your work andworkstation popcorn.

I have one place I write my pitches each week: the library.

I won’t leave there until I get them done.

I do all my RSS feeds on the elliptical with mySurfShelf.

I return phone calls in the car with my car’s integrated Bluetooth audio.

I don’t have to think about what I’m doing.

I know if I’m at a particular place I know exactly what I need to work on.

Igive myself rewardsat each location.

Once I respond to my emails, I can get a cup of coffee.

Each location has a typical task and associated reward.

I’ll change shirts and footwear to help cue me into what I have to do.

I don’t follow the rules all the time,, but they serve as motivators and reminders.

What’s your favorite to-do list manager?

My trusted system is Apple’s Reminders.

Besides your phone and computer, what gadget can’t you live without and why?

Without a doubt myslow cooker.

I’m the cook in the house and you might pretty much cook anything in a slow cooker.

My spouse and I don’t have a regular schedule.

If one of us is late for dinner: no worries.

There’s still a hot meal waiting for us.

This doesn’t count as a gadget really, but my WusthofSantukoknife.

It’s the only knife I use in the kitchen.

If you have one good knife, you’d be amazed at how much easier and enjoyable cooking is.

What everyday thing are you better at than everyone else?

What’s your secret?

It may be the right search engine query, but sometimes it’s just finding an expert.

I’m the person everyone goes to for advice, so I’ve heard it all.

The secret isn’t knowing the answer.

it’s possible for you to’t know every answer.

You just need to know who (or what) to ask.

What do you listen to while you work?

As I said earlier, I believe in contexts.

The bang out of work I’m doing has its own bang out of music.

Writing and editing needs electronic ambient music without words.

Paperwork, accounting and finance need international music.

I use Spotify, SoundCloud, and Youtube to stream music.

What are you currently reading?

In the car, I have Audible streamed from my iPhone.

Are you more of an introvert or an extrovert?

I’m a shy ambivert.

Speaking in front of thousands of people or national TV, no problem.

Going up to a stranger at a business networking event, I hide.

Twice in my life I sat next to a personal hero and I was too scared to introduce myself.

What’s your sleep routine like?

Always has and always will be.

I just accept it as part of my ADHD.

My main computer monitor shuts off at 10:08pm every night, timed with a BelkinWeMote.

I can turn it on again, but it’s a minor hassle.

I then venture to meditate for 10 minutes with headspace.

I’ll set an alarm via myLark.

If I can’t sleep, I use eitherPzzizoriSleepEasyapp along with mySleepphones.

I have one weird habit.

When I have trouble sleeping, I sleep on the floor rather than a bed.

It’s a quirk I developed in childhood.

Some people say it’s that I feel more safe on the floor.

Others have told me it’s about magnetic fields.

When I’m stressed or annoyed, I always want to sleep on the floor.

I have a traditional Japanese style futon I sleep on.

For travel, I’ll have silk sleep sack.

Fill in the blank: I’d love to see _________ answer these same questions.

David Allen, without question.

Getting Things Done was one of the most powerful books in my life.

Since then I’m in the Inbox Zero Fan club.

Even though he’s no longer with us, I wonder what apps Dale Carnegie would use today.

I’ll add the Doctor, but he’s a fictional character.

Still I’d love to see how he’d answer.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

Never upgrade your TV.

That was the advice my first boss out of college gave me.

I had a tiny TV from my dorm room.

It was 7" and got the job done.

I was in my office and get my first paycheck and was excited to buy a real TV.

He asked why, and I told him I had the money now.

He reminded me that there will always be a bigger TV.

That TV got me through four years of college and still worked.

He said don’t give up my college lifestyle just because I was making money.

He was talking aboutlifestyle inflation, but the TV was the perfect way of expressing it.

I never buy the “newest” thing, because my old thing worked just fine.

Sure new stuff is fun, but avoiding lifestyle inflation kept me out of debt my entire life.

Is there anything else you’d like to add that might be interesting to readers/fans?

I view the universe like the Borg.

It’s a collective entity that, if you let it, will consume you.

It adds your biological and technology distinctiveness to serve it.

Don’t give them time to adapt.

You’ll get way too bored in life and the collective will consume you.

you might’t possibly know you have a skill until you try.

This isn’t just about trying “one scary thing.”

It’s about trying one new thing.

Whatever you do, don’t fully adapt to life.