I’m Alice Bradley, Associate Editor at Lifehacker, and This Is How I Work
Every week, we share shortcuts, workspaces, and productivity tips from our favorite experts. This week we take a look behind the scenes at Lifehacker. I’m Alice Bradley and this is how I work.
Location: New York Current workplace: Lifehacker Associate Editor Current mobile device: iPhone 6 Current computer: Macbook Air One word that best describes how you work: Quirky
First of all, tell us a little about your past and how you got where you are now.
I have been a freelance writer and editor for many years; I have co-authored the book and edited an anthology, and also wrote fiction and essays for a variety of places. Then Melissa hired me (at another media company) and saved me from a freelance existence. When Melissa moved to Lifehacker, I applied for the position of associate editor: of course, because I wanted to continue working with Melissa, but even more because I have been a fan of Lifehacker since its inception.
Tell us about a recent work day.
I got to the office around nine and immediately launched Slack , where our employees (and the Gizmodo Media Group in general) handle all of our business / GIF sharing. I went through my Feedly account , where I collected all the sites I look for story ideas and inspiration, and drank too much coffee. Then I looked through our Today’s Story Ideas channel to see what other people had to offer and came up with my own ideas. Pretty soon, stories started appearing on our channel “ready to edit”, so I switched gears and started editing them. Then I ate my second breakfast. (I eat a lot at my desk. My colleagues love that about me. I mean, don’t ask them. But I’m sure they do.)
After about an hour of editing, I turned my attention to the weekly podcast Lifehacker The Upgrade . All segments of the next week were done, except for one in which we had to face our fears in a virtual reality environment. So Melissa and I went to the studio. I went first: they put a VR device on my head, I was in a virtual office, and there were spiders around me. Perhaps there was a low to moderate cry. Then it was Melissa’s turn. She had to stand on a board 50 stories above the ground. I’m glad I only had spiders.
After we emotionally and physically recovered from our trauma (what we do for our audience!), There was lunch.
After lunch, I edited the stories and watched a few video scripts with our editor-in-chief, Virginia Smith . Then I edited some more. And much more. And then I took the subway to go back to Brooklyn and chat with my family.
What apps, gadgets or tools, besides your phone, can’t you live without?
I rely heavily on Bear : I use it for all my emails, making lists, managing to-do lists and everything. Please don’t ever leave, Bear.
How is your workplace arranged?
The Lifehacker team (at least those of us who work in the New York office) sit at a large table, pretty close together. It’s good that we like each other. Fortunately, there are common areas in the office where we can call or just work on the couch and pretend we are all freelancers. Only we’re not in pajamas. Or maybe we are! You can never guess with us.
What’s your best shortcut or life hack?
- Meditate on the subway. It’s much easier than you think, especially if you’re using guided meditation and headphones.
- Assume good intentions. Everyone is trying their best and people (probably) don’t want to ruin your day. And if they try to ruin your day, the assumption of good intentions enrages them.
Who are the people who help you achieve results, and how do you rely on them?
I rely on the entire Lifehacker team as well as Levi Sharp, our podcast producer. I can’t think of anyone I don’t depend on! I probably rely on whoever reads this. (Get back to work.)
How do you keep track of what you need to do?
To do this, I rely on my to-do lists in Bear, as well as setting up reminders in Slack. I have so many reminders in Slack.
How to recharge or relax?
What I need to do is take a long, invigorating walk around the area. I actually browse Instagram and Twitter looking for cat gifs to send to Virginia.
What’s your favorite side project?
I have another podcast, League of Clumsy Unicorns , where we talk about our mental health and how we take care of ourselves. We had such guests as W. Kamau Bell and Aparna Nancherla at the show. We don’t update as much as we should, but when we do, we have fun.
What are you reading now or what do you recommend?
I’m a big fan of the comic book artist Michael Kupperman – his ” Tales started to trizla” I infinitely pleasing ; he’s so funny and smart. His most recent work is the graphic memoir All Answers, about his father Joel Kupperman, a once famous quiz show . As the daughter of an emotionally elusive genius who also falls into dementia, I was deeply moved by this, but I think this is a great book for everyone. It’s insightful and exciting and I can’t believe it doesn’t get more attention.
Who else would you like to see to answer these questions?
Maria Bamford.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
“Everything is learning.” Once a former boss told me about this, and it stuck with me. Whether you achieve your goals or make mistakes, you still learn. We all learn every day.
What problem are you still trying to solve?
How to raise a child in a way that respects his boundaries and individuality, while making sure that he does not get into trouble (which he does very well).