Location:

New Milford, Connecticut

Current gig:

Praxis Participant

Current mobile device:

Iphone X. I tried to escape apple, but I am too deep in the walled garden.

Current computer: Macbook Pro 2013

One word that best describes how you work: Thoughtful. I put as much thought and detail as possible, while retaining efficiency.

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

Inbox for Gmail, Apple Calendar, WordPress, Tile, Spotify, Google Maps, Wunderlist, Venmo, and Uber

What’s your workspace like?

Spread out and organized. Papers and notes I am using are spread around me in organized piles, so that I can see or access anything immediately.

What’s your best time-saving trick?

Choose a place in your life and make that place entirely dedicated to getting work done. Never do anything else in that place, and you will associate it with work. This way it is a lot easier to get into a good workflow when you need to.

What’s your favorite to-do list manager?

I have a few favorites. My usual go to is just to have a written to do list on a piece of paper that I keep with me. For some reason I feel that writing something down on paper helps me remember and accomplish goals much better than any app. There’s something so pleasantly tangible about it. Just in case paper should fail me, I supplement with Wunderlist.

Even though these are very helpful standbys, nothing is more effective than having another person hold you to a set deadline.

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

A bunch of legal pads. Writing things down helps me get ideas out of my head faster and easier, and is more helpful in developing those ideas. Other that those, I feel like I would live a harder life without my tiles. They help me find my keys and wallet when I need to.

What everyday thing are you better at than anyone else?

I would say two things:

1.  Committing to work for long periods of time, and actually doing it. Growing up with ADD, I sometimes wasn’t as quick as others, but that taught me to work for as long as necessary to make my work better than theirs. Now I can work quickly, but if need be, I can keep focus for a long while.

2. Loving all people. We’re all humans, and we all having interesting and important differences and perspectives to contribute. I have always seen the good in people, and easily made friends with those around me.

What are you currently reading?

On Managing Yourself from HBR, The Last Safe Investment by Bryce Franklin and Michael Ellsburg, Invisible Influence by Jonah Berger, Death & Co by the Staff of Death & Co, and The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee.

What do you listen to while you work?

It depends on what kind of work mood I’m in. My standbys for calm working are Tycho and Max Richter’s recomposition of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. If slightly more energetic, I listen to indie rock. When I need to get energized and work quickly, I listen to electronic music.

Are you more of an introvert or an extrovert?

I would say 85% extrovert, 15% introvert. Without a doubt, I derive my energy from people. I love being around large groups of people, the more the merrier. However, if I need to get something done, and being around people is not contributing to efficiency, than I happily seclude myself until it is done. I love being alone with my work, and being with a lot of people otherwise.

What’s your sleep routine like?

I’m one of those people that only needs 6 hours of sleep. I don’t love sleeping, because I feel like the time could be used so much better. However, I understand how important it is to stay in efficient working condition and health. Due to this, I begrudgingly get 6-8 hours of sleep most nights, unless it becomes necessary to do otherwise.

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

Don’t sweat the small stuff. Also, everything is small stuff.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

See the world. It’s more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories.
-Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451