How We Work 2015: Herbert Louis Equipment and Productivity Tips
Every week we ask interesting people how they work. This week is our turn. I’m Herbert, and here are some of my favorite techniques, ideas, and applications.
Location: Toronto, Ontario. Current job: When not writing for Lifehacker, I spend most of my time at Wonder Shuttle marketing agency. I also interview musicians at Prologue . One word that best describes the way you work: Free mobile: iPhone 4 (serious) Current computer: 2013 MacBook Pro 13-inch Retina
What apps / programs / tools can’t you live without? Why?
I’m scared to think about life without Google Drive, Google Calendar, and Gmail.
I keep track of everything I read or watch – articles, talks, movies, interviews, podcasts – in Evernote (with this tagging system ). I use Pocket to organize all articles or videos that I haven’t had a chance to read or watch yet.
How is your workplace arranged?
I like to alternate between three places during the week. First place is Whole Foods, where I’ll take a mate tea energy drink (I’m pretty sensitive to caffeine) and write for a couple of hours. I know it sounds strange, I would really be in the local library if it had more stable Wi-Fi.
Naturally, I will also work from home. If I’m focused on reading or reviewing notes, I like to be close to my bookshelf for reference.
The third is in a coworking space in downtown Toronto. This is probably the most lively of the places, I really like it. I will spend two or three days here every week.
What’s your best time-saving shortcut / life hack?
All my favorite life hacks are focused on focus. I am doing one task and focusing on getting all the same work done on the same day, so I don’t waste time on context switches . I move through the week with thematic days , with some days devoted to writing and others focusing on research, clients, or administrative tasks.
What’s your favorite to-do list manager?
I’m pretty primitive. Each evening, I end up writing down tomorrow’s five major assignments on a index card. It takes two minutes and it makes a huge difference. I keep track of upcoming tasks and due dates in Google Calendar.
What device, besides a phone and a computer, can you not live without and why?
Whenever possible, I work in blocks of 50 minutes and take breaks of 10 minutes. I use my kitchen timer to keep track.
I never leave the house without headphones. I’m not particularly picky, a friend gave me a pair of Sennheiser headphones that I really love. I always have a spare pair of headphones in my bag.
I always have a paper book or a printed magazine and a pencil.
What are some of the things you do best in everyday life? What’s your secret?
I am a decent mix of ideas, creative or practical. I consume a lot of different media from different people – I watch interviews and read biographies. I find out where other people’s ideas come from, what their paths were, and the like. My work in an agency introduces me to a wide variety of people and companies firsthand. I will take different ideas from different areas and cross-experience them. Sometimes it works, and sometimes it’s Frankenstein.
Besides, I’m pretty persistent. When I posted my first guest post on Lifehacker, I had to follow at least four or five times on this thread before it went live.
What do you listen to while you work?
When I work, I either go through the playlist or listen to one song on repeat. When I write, I mainly listen to hip hop (lately: Kanye West, Travis Scott, Ryan Leslie, Drake, Young Jeezy, Childish Gambino, The Weeknd) or French house (Chromeo, Daft Punk, Kavinsky). I prefer silence when I read.
Sometimes when I think about ideas, I listen to Joe Rogan’s podcast .
What are you reading now?
I am currently reading I Know Why the Bird in a Cage Sings by Maya Angelou and Rewritten by Ethan Zuckerman. I love print magazines and recently bought Hypebeast (# 08, The Perspective Issue ) and Jocks & Nerds’ Winter 2014/15 .
On the internet, I’m a big fan of Farnam Street , The Browser and MediaREDEF . I also love Oliver Berkman’s column for The Guardian , Ryan Holiday’s column for The Observer, and Sam McNerney’s blog .
A few photos of my books, because I am afraid to tire you with too much text.
I am running out of space and have started to transfer some books to the vault. Still in the process of making a decision.
Are you more of an introvert or an extrovert?
I tend to be more introverted.
What is your sleep pattern?
I try to sleep at least seven hours. I work best in extremes – I’m more like an owl these days. I will start writing around 10 pm and work until maybe 1 am. I’ll edit after I wake up and go crazy. When I had my day job, I got up very early. I woke up at 5 am to work with a client before leaving home for work.
I am using an iOS alarm called Wake (disclaimer: Tiny Hearts is one of my clients) . A few years ago, I cut the nap out of my life by listening to a whole song before getting out of bed. I’ll enjoy the song for a few minutes, and by the end of it, I’ll be awake enough to start the day.
Fill in the blank: I would like _________ to answer these same questions.
Kanye West.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
The first thing that comes to mind is when the architect Winy Maas said : “Be yourself, immensely. Be different. Stay strong. And try to defeat the previous generation. ” The talk about the convening of Kenyon College, Calvin and Hobbes creator Bill Watterson, really resonates with me , in particular: “Reinventing the meaning of your life is not easy, but it is still allowed, and I think you will be happier.” (Watterson inspired this article .)
Musician Ryan Leslie’s advice is a helpful reminder : “When you find your passion, something better is always demanded of you, not by the expectations of others, but by the will of your heart.”
I used to ask this question to other people, and now I understand why it was driving them crazy.