How We Work 2015: Heather Yamada-Hosley’s Equipment and Productivity Tips
Every week, we conduct meaningful interviews with experts who share their productivity tips, recommended gear, and life hacks. Now it’s our turn to provide answers. Here are a couple of tips, tricks, and thoughts I use to get around.
Location: San Francisco, California. Current position: Freelance Writer, Content Strategist at NerdWallet. One word that best describes how you work: focused. Current mobile device: iPhone 4S. Current computer: 2012 MacBook 15.
What apps / programs / tools can’t you live without? Why?
The ones I use almost daily include: Mailbox, Google Maps, Amazon, LastPass, Chrome (on mobile) and Firefox (on desktop), Pocket, Sunrise, and Any.Do. I also use the mobile app for my bank and credit card issuers because I like being aware of where my money is going.
How is your workplace arranged?
Quite simply, just a desk, filing cabinet, and an armchair in the corner of my bedroom. The ball chair is a recent addition because I’ve always wanted to try it out and last month my attention was drawn to the posting of Kinja Deals for one. There are a couple of large windows, so there is a lot of natural light here, so I don’t have a table lamp. I also try to do handicrafts from time to time, so a sewing machine takes up part of my desk.
What’s your best time-saving shortcut / life hack?
This is probably how I use travel time as much as possible. Since I am on the bus for about 80 minutes a day, I try to use that time for GSD – from checking emails to writing drafts, making mental plans in my head for meetings later in the day to planning what I cook for dinner. However, sometimes I use it as a quiet time to recharge (especially on the way home), watch Netflix, or just close my eyes and listen to music.
What’s your favorite to-do list manager?
Most of the time I use Any.Do to keep track of what needs to be done. But if I have a longer list or schedule, I’ll either write it in pen on paper or use the Notes app on my phone. Whenever I think about what I need to do, I write it down right away or set a reminder so that it doesn’t stay in my head for the rest of the day.
What device, besides a phone and a computer, can you not live without and why?
I was recently gifted with a Breville One Touch Tea Maker and it’s awesome. I am one of those people who make tea and then either forget about hot water or let it brew for too long. This kettle boils water to the right temperature , removes the leaves when the brewing time is up, and keeps the tea hot for as long as I remember making the tea an hour ago. I also carry the Mophie power bank with me everywhere, because many times it has saved me (or friends). When I got a really good chef’s knife , it changed the whole cooking process for me. This made it even more enjoyable and was definitely worth the investment!
What are some of the things you do best in everyday life?
I’d say I’m pretty good at making decisions quickly. Not in the sense that I’m in a hurry with decisions (I come back to something if necessary), but in the fact that I quickly go through the options in my head, and then choose the one that I think is the best and start making a plan. actions to come to terms with it. Usually my first solution works well, but I am always careful to change it or go the other way.
What do you listen to while you work?
I usually don’t listen to anything. On the rare occasions that I do this (for example, when I set aside a few hours to really dive deep), I turn on white noise, such as rain sounds or a playlist that I’m familiar with (and thus may be muted ). Right now I’m picking a couple of Devil Makes Three recurring albums.
What are you reading now?
I just started ” Kafka on the Shore” by Haruki Murakami. The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell is next on my reading list.
Are you more of an introvert or an extrovert?
Hmm, I mix both. On the one hand, I really enjoy spending time with people, and I can spend it for hours or even days (depending on the people). On the other hand, as an only child, I know how to spend time alone. I’m never bored when no one is around, I’m just reading, watching TV or working on a project.
What is your sleep pattern?
I am not a morning person or a night person. The most “awake” I feel is from 8 to 21. I usually wake up around 6 in the morning and start making my to-do list. I am terribly unable to go to bed after 22:00 and, as you know, often fall asleep by 22:00, even if I am out with people (if there is a comfortable sofa nearby).
Fill in the blank: I would like _________ to answer these same questions.
I’d love to hear what Alton Brown, Amy Poehler and Rashida Jones have to say. Anyone in the entertainment industry should have some great productivity tips to keep up with their hectic schedule.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
Basically, focus on comparing your progress to your past records, rather than comparing yourself to others. I think you can follow this to some extent, of course there are times when you need to know what others are doing (especially in a work environment). But if you always look around to see what other people are doing, you can be very distracted from your best work. I also found that when I really tried to compare myself to other people, it also made those relationships worsen due to unnecessary competitive flow.
Is there anything else you would like to add that might be of interest to your readers / fans?
I am very big in self-awareness , empathy and understanding of your true personal values. I think that if you try to become better in all three areas, it can help in almost every aspect of your life and make communication and your relationships smoother. Reaching a “good” level is not easy, but the effort is worth it!