Every week we interview notable people, picking their brains for their productivity secrets and setups.
Apparently, that means lots of SUVs and absurd property taxes.
)Current Gig:Writer for hireOne word that best describes how you work:Serendipitously.
(It’s a tie.
)Current mobile gear:Phones:Nexus 5 and iPhone 5.Tablets:Nexus 7 and iPad 2.
For flinging into a backpack before a trip, an ASUS C300 Chromebook.
But which one?…
What apps/software/tools can’t you live without?
I still rely on my Pocket, Evernote, Trello, and OneNote workflow.
Since I mentioned that in detaillast year, I won’t bore you with the same explanation.
(I use an IFTTT recipe to send starred articles in Pocket to Evernote.)
Evernotecan easily get unwieldy, though.
It’s like writing as scrapbooking.
Besides these apps, I use TweetDeck to distract myself with Twitter and 1Password for password management.
Nudge nudge, AgileBits.)
Oh, and Quicken for managing my gazillion bank and investment accounts.
I will do OS workarounds for you, Quicken.
What’s your workspace setup like?
I get an absurd amount of joy from everyday objects.
My best new workspace addition is the Coolermaster Quickfire TK mechanical keyboard.
The joy of tactile click click clacks and blue backlighting all day long!
Sometimes I find my daughter has written/drawn something there for me, though.
What’s your best time-saving shortcut/life hack?
I’m saying this as someone who has always hated schedules and even just thinking about time.
I always know what I’m doing or, at least, should be doing next.
It’s a framework.
(I ran out of index cards!
Otherwise I would have rewritten this.)
I also try hard tostart my day off on the right foot.
Also, I love making lists.
Don’t laugh, but I have been known to make lists of lists.
Besides your phone and computer, what gadget can’t you live without and why?
ThisOster electric wine openermight be the last such recommendation.
No more screwing with wine corks!
So far the Kindle Unlimited subscription is justifying the purchase.
What has changed over the years since you started and what do you do differently now?
When I first started writing for Lifehacker four (!)
years ago, I was relatively green when it came to blogging.
Some months in, I turned a corner.
I told him, “yeah, I decided to stop writing like a robot.”
It really was a conscious decision.
(I’m working up to that.)
What else is there?
I could spend every day writing aboutegg hacksand hard drives and be happy as well.
What do you listen to while you work?
Every other day, just my noisy laptop fan.
What are you currently reading?
I tend to have at least one nonfiction and one fiction book in progress at the same time.
I just finishedThe Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizingby Marie Kondo.
I’ve also just finished Cary Elwes’As You Wish.
I’m mulling that one over.
What’s your sleep routine like?
I’m a night owl, so I feel more naturally energized and alive at two in the morning.
How do you balance personal life and work?
(Thehardest thing for a freelanceris saying no to work.)
This month, however, has been much more relaxed.
I’m actually now doing things solely for sheer selfish pleasure, like painting and writing bad poetry.
I’m trying to savor every moment and keep myself from biting off more than I can chew.
