How We Work: Chris Jager’s Favourite Gear And Productivity Tricks


Every week, we share the shortcuts, workspaces and productivity tips of our favourite experts and internet personalities in our How I Work series. Throughout this week, we’re giving readers a glimpse into how we work. Today, our newest Australian team member Chris Jager spills the beans.

Location: Circular Quay, Sydney

Current gig: Lifehacker journalist

One word that best describes how you work: Hunched

Current mobile device: Samsung Galaxy S III

Current computer: Asus Zenbook UX31E

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

Microsoft Word and Google Docs are the main tools of my trade — I lean towards Word due to its familiarity, although Google Docs definitely has its advantages too. I do a lot of travelling in my job, so Google Maps is absolutely essential. I’ve also become a big Swype fan, although you do need to watch out for dodgy auto-suggestions — on one memorable occasion, I accidentally called my wife a Nazi. Image Batch Resizer is another great time-saver when I need to resize multiple images from Shutterstock or Getty Image. Dropbox and SkyDrive are my cloud storage apps of choice (I have a soft spot for SkyDrive because it’s linked to my ancient Hotmail account from the mid 90s).

Our instant messaging client is also essential, particularly when out at media events and the like. It also lets you slag off the boss without them knowing (er, I’m joking of course).

[related title=”How We Work” tag=”how-we-work” items=”13″]

What’s your workspace setup like?

I’ve just joined the Lifehacker office and will soon be departing for a fortnight of nursery rhymes, incessant cooing and nappy changing (AKA paternity leave). Subsequently, my workspace is a bit Spartan and clinical at the moment. Pimping will ensue upon my return.

What’s your best time-saving shortcut/life hack?

Leave the excessive tweeting to tweens and narcissists — the less time you spend formulating witty observations into 140 characters, the more time you’ll have to actually get stuff done.

What’s your favourite to-do list manager?

When it comes to making lists, I’m still a pen-and-paper man, although lately I’ve been experimenting with the Android app Astrid.

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

While the model may change from year to year, the answer will always remain the same: my games console.

What everyday thing are you better at than everyone else?

The card game Speed. I will destroy all comers.

What do you listen to while you work?

I’m one of those people who can’t do two things at once, so music’s no good to me in the workplace — I either mentally block it out or waste time listening.

What’s your sleep routine like?

I try to hit the hay relatively early on weeknights — usually by 11:30pm (although my impending newborn is bound to throw a spanner in the works.)

Are you more of an introvert or an extrovert?

To paraphrase Spinal Tap’s Derek Smalls, I’m somewhere in the middle, like lukewarm water.

Is there anyone you’d kill to see answer these same questions?

If I killed them, how would they be able to answer?

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

Your home is your castle.

Is there anything else you’d like to add that might be interesting to readers?

Beware the Bloop.


The Cheapest NBN 50 Plans

Here are the cheapest plans available for Australia’s most popular NBN speed tier.

At Lifehacker, we independently select and write about stuff we love and think you'll like too. We have affiliate and advertising partnerships, which means we may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. BTW – prices are accurate and items in stock at the time of posting.

Comments


Leave a Reply