Every week, we ask interesting people how they work.
This week, it’s our turn.
I’m Herbert, and here are some of my favorite techniques, insights, and apps.
I shudder to think of life without Google Drive, Google Calendar, and Gmail.
I usePocketto organize all the articles or videos I haven’t had a chance to read or watch yet.
What’s your workspace setup like?
I like to rotate throughout the week between three places.
Naturally, I’ll also work at home.
If I’m focused on reading or reviewing notes, I like to be near my bookshelf for reference.
The third is at a co-working space in downtown Toronto.
This is probably the most lively of the places, I really like it.
Each week I’ll spend two or three days here.
What’s your best time-saving shortcut/life hack?
My favorite life hacks are all centered on focus.
What’s your favorite to-do list manager?
I’m pretty primitive.
I end each evening by writing tomorrow’s top five tasks on an index card.
It takes two minutes and it makes a huge difference.
I keep track of upcoming tasks and deadlines on Google Calendar.
Besides your phone and computer, what gadget can’t you live without and why?
As much as possible, I work in 50 minute blocks and take 10 minute breaks.
I use my kitchen timer to keep track.
I never leave the house without a pair of headphones.
I have a spare pair of in-ears in my bag at all times.
I always have a physical book, or print magazine, and a pencil on me.
What everyday thing are you better at than everyone else?
What’s your secret?
I connect ideas decently, whether creative or practical.
I consume a lot of different media from different peopleI watch interviews and read biographies.
I learn where other people’s ideas come from, what their paths were like, and the such.
My agency work exposes me to many different types of people and companies firsthand.
I’ll take different pieces of ideas from different fields and cross-pollinate them.
Sometimes it works out, and other times it’s Frankenstein.
Also, I’m pretty persistent.
What do you listen to while you work?
I prefer silence when I read.
Sometimes, when I’m thinking of ideas, I’ll listen to theJoe Rogan podcast.
What are you currently reading?
I’m currently reading Maya Angelou’sI Know Why the Caged Bird Singsand Ethan Zuckerman’sRewire.
Online, I’m a huge fan ofFarnam Street,The internet tool, andMediaREDEF.
Some photos of my books because I’m scared I might have bored you with too much text.
I’m running out of space, and I’ve started transitioning some books into storage.
Still in the process of deciding.
Are you more of an introvert or an extrovert?
I lean more to the introverted side.
What’s your sleep routine like?
I do my best work on at least seven hours of sleep.
I work best at extremesthese days, I’m more of a night owl.
I’ll start writing around 10PM at night and work till maybe 1AM.
I’ll edit after I wake up and get my head together.
When I had a day job, I used to be a really early-riser.
I would wake up at 5AM to get some client work done before leaving the house for work.
I use an iOS alarm clockcalled Wake(disclaimer: Tiny Hearts is one of my clients).
Fill in the blank: I’d love to see _________ answer these same questions.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
The first that comes to mind is whenarchitect Winy Maas said, “Be yourself, enormously.
And attempt to beat the former generation.”
(Wattersoninspired this article.)
I used to ask other people this question and now I can see why it drove them nuts.
Have someone you want to see featured, or questions you think we should ask?
