This is a short exercise so you can see a snapshot of how I work.
Location: Carbondale, IL
Current gig: Financial Analyst and Web Designer at Pepsi MidAmerica
Current mobile device: Iphone 6
Current computer: Dell Inspiron 13-7353
One word that best describes how you work: Focused
What apps/software/tools can’t you live without?
I use Google Suite for editing posts, spreadsheets, and schedules. Trello is perfect for keeping To-do lists separated by projects. Mint is an incredible way to watch over your finances.
What’s your workspace like?
My office deskspace is clear, with the all reports filed by state and depot in my desk drawers. I find that keeping a clean deskspace clears my head and makes it easier to focus. However, my cubicle walls are covered with sticky note reminders.
My workspace at home is a simple desk facing a corner, with only a lamp, blender bottle and Bose headphones on it.
What’s your best time-saving trick?
Turn off all phone notifications except for text and calls. Use your phone settings to block social media apps after 30 minutes of use each day, and only view emails at certain times of the day. If it’s urgent, they will text you.
What’s your favorite to-do list manager?
Trello is great as a digital manager. Other than that, I always carry a black Moleskin notebook in case I’m not around a computer.
Besides your phone and computer, what gadget can’t you live without?
Bose over-the-ear headphones are a godsend. When I’m working, I want to focus long enough that I lose track of time and am not interrupted by push notifications or coworkers sharing cat videos (although I do love animals).
What everyday thing are you better at than anyone else?
I eat healthy and cut out sweets and junk food from my diet. It’s paid huge dividends in energy, mood, and discipline.
What are you currently reading?
“Age of the Unthinkable” by Joshua Ramo, “The Coddling of the American Mind” by Lukianoff and Haidt, and “Better than Before” by Gretchen Rubin.
What do you listen to while you work?
If I’m working on something that I do frequently, then I listen to financial podcasts such as Dave Ramsey, Listen Money Matters, Stacking Benjamins, The Investors Podcasts, and Real Estate Investing Mastery. If I’m creating content or something that requires intense focus, I listen to jazz or EDM.
Are you more of an introvert or an extrovert?
I’m an introvert but I recharge when I’m around people. I can work all day alone, but at the end of the day, I want to spend time with people, whether at the gym, at their house, or at a bar.
What’s your sleep routine like?
Not as solidified as I would like. I try to go to bed before midnight because I’m the most creative in the early morning. I get up at 5:45 or 6 so I can drink coffee, focus on my goals, and plan out my day. I don’t like rushing to work as soon as I wake up.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
“Don’t let the bastards grind you down. Always live at your own pace.”
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
The only things you should focus on are the things that you value.