Lifehacker has a great series called “How I work” where they interview well known experts to learn more about their day to day shortcuts, productivity tools and gear. Today, it’s my turn to share my favorite tricks and tips to get things done. Only this time, I will be interviewing myself. Enjoy!
Location: West Chester, PA
Current Gig: Product Manager, iPipeline
One word that best describes how you work: German-organized
Current mobile device: iPhone 5s
Current computer: Old lenovo with Win10 (home) and whatever work gives me (HP maybe?)
What apps, software, or tools can’t you live without?
- Trello to organize my To-Dos and follow ups using the Kanban method. Using Future, Doing, Waiting and Done! boards (Exclamation point included)
- Evernote for notes, meeting minutes and website shortcuts using the Chrome clipper. I admit I was late to the Evernote game but I can’t live without it now. I consider it my second brain.
- LastPass for password management and auto fillable website forms. Literally saves me hours and hours of time moving around the web on desktop and mobile..
- AutoHotKey for automating my most common email responses. See my full write up here
- Google everything. Gmail, Calendar, Maps, Docs, Drive, Forms. I use it daily.
What’s your workspace setup like?
Two monitors with my laptop on a dock. I am in a cube farm so I move around the office quite a bit during the day to see sunlight. Never really gave the standing desk trend a try but I do stand up at my desk when on conference calls.
What’s your best time-saving shortcut or life hack?
Amazon. No seriously. Why waste time driving to the store when everything can be delivered via Prime shipping? I have been known to ship cereal, toothpaste, deodorant and toilet paper among other everyday household goods.
What’s your favorite to-do list manager?
Trello. Technically not a dedicated to-do list manager but it works for me. I have separate boards setup for Personal and Work. One of these days I will try out any.do but likely only for personal/mobile use.
Besides your phone and computer, what gadget can’t you live without and why?
My iPad aka dedicated news consumption and Zillow device. The Apple News and Google News apps are always open.
What everyday thing are you better at than everyone else?
Ping pong and foosball. Try me.
What do you listen to while you work?
Mostly electronica radio stations on Pandora or Spotify.
What are you currently reading?
Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Lief Babin. I heard Jocko on the Tim Ferris podcast and was immediately impressed. Excellent read so far.
How do you recharge?
Exercise and the outdoors. There is something to be said about leaving the phone at home and going off the grid for a few days.
What’s your sleep routine like?
I need my 8 hours but would definitely consider myself a morning person. I don’t need an alarm to get up at 6:30 each day.
Fill in the blank: I’d love to see _________ answer these same questions.
Tim Ferris. If you haven’t checked his podcast out, do it now.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Be Kind.
Is there anything else you’d like to add that might be interesting to readers?
- Don’t just talk about your dreams, live them.
- Write someone a hand written thank you letter today. No really, do it and thank me later.
