How I Work - peyo212 Edition

Here's my contribution to the "How I Work" posts since I can't think of anything else interesting this week. And no, I don't care if you don't care.

Current gig: Algorithmic trader at proprietary trading firm

Location: Chicago, IL
Current mobile device: HTC One
Current computer: HP Tower@Work / Alienware M11x@Home
One word that best describes how you work: Lazefficiently

What apps/software/tools can't you live without?
Apps: I recently started using Pocket and I've fallen in love with it. Whether it's random things I see on Gizmodo/Jalopnik or work-related articles/news, it's great to be able to save something to read for later (and it syncs across multiple platforms), since my constant multitasking at work makes it difficult for me to find a block of time to read interesting things. Feedly is another great resource for me to follow the blogs that I'm interested in, whether it's related to life or work. I use Evernote as my daily journal, notebook for talks I attend, and shopping list. Candy Crush Saga because. Just finished level 230.

Software: Notepad++ is a great editor for just about anything and I prefer it for my C++ coding. winpython is my editor of choice for Python since it has a lot of the common libraries already installed. Excel. 'Nuff said. And yes, I use all of these in my personal life too to do random stuff outside of work.

Tools: I use a small Moleskine notebook to keep important notes from work. I still prefer normal scrap paper for general note-taking/idea-generation, but I organize the better ideas in my Moleskine. Also I still use (and love) my TI-83+ Silver that I've been using since middle school.

What's your workspace like?
I have 12 normal (unfortunately, not the widescreen ones) monitors for my desktop at work in three rows of four monitors each. My eye level is between the bottom and middle rows, so the bottom row is slightly tilted upward and the top rows are tilted downward. The side monitors are tilted too to minimize physical strain. I keep my desk pretty clean: keyboard, mouse, water cup, notebook, pens, scrap paper. Part of the reason is probably that I need the space to eat breakfast and lunch at the desk.

What's your best time-saving trick?
I wrote a nice little batch file that I use every morning to start up the apps I need (as you can imagine, there are a lot since I have to fill 12 screens somehow). It's one of the few files on my desktop and since I wrote it, it's saved me probably 15-20 minutes a day.

What's your favorite to-do list manager?
Any.do is what I use now. I used to use Google Calendar tasks but not only did Any.do sync with all of that, I also like the interface/features better. It can set reminders, make tasks in flexible time increments, listen to voice input, and cross-sync between my phone and Chrome (both at work and at home) through apps. Lastly, it has a simple, non-bloated look that I love.

Besides your phone and computer, what gadget can't you live without?
Nothing really at work, but for home, definitely my Xbox 360. I do a decent bit (ok maybe a lot) of gaming, but more importantly, I use it for watching TV and putting on music in the background via Last.fm or Slacker when I'm chilling at home.

What everyday thing are you better at than anyone else?
This was a hard one. Related to work, I guess from my videogaming and twitch reflexes, I generally am faster with my mouse and keyboard than most others. This is important when I'm working in Excel or something similar. While for others it might be easier to take time to think of a formula/macro to do something, I can probably just brute force power through it without thinking too much and still get it done more quickly.

What are you currently reading?
Honestly? Nothing. It's sad. My (ineffective) excuse is that I put reading, movies, TV shows, and videogames in one giant list and I work through them one at a time...and I tend to prefer the other three haha.

What do you listen to while you work?
I rarely listen to music at work because it might make me miss out on sound alerts or what other traders say. However, in general, I like to listen to upbeat electronic/house music when I'm working on something that I already know how to do and just need to finish (like this post). When I'm doing something that requires a lot more thinking/theorizing, I like to put on classical music because it's more soothing and there are no words to distract me. I mainly use local files, but Spotify (free) and Slacker are my streaming services of choice.

Are you more of an introvert or an extrovert?
Definitely introvert, and the Myers-Briggs test agrees because I'm an ISFJ. I used to be more extroverted and love to organize events and party in college, but nowadays, the only thing I want to do after work on Friday is sit in front of my TV or play violin to relax.

What's your sleep routine like?
I need 7-8 hours a night to be fully functional because I don't drink coffee or other caffeinated drinks (they make me feel sick). I can partially function on less but it's not good.

Fill in the blank: I'd love to see _____ answer these same questions.
No one particular in real life. But Sherlock Homes (Benedict Cumberbatch) in Sherlock in the fictional world.

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

• "I've missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."
• "[M]ost people, when they are looking for a spouse, are looking for a finished statue when they should be looking for a wonderful block of marble."
• The Victor
• "If I am a grass field-all the cutting will keep the grass less but won’t produce wheat. If I want wheat…I must be plowed up and re-sown."
• "Don't worry about it."

Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I love reading Lifehacker. I at least glance over every post because I think the things that they talk about can genuinely help people be more efficient (which means they can be more lazy, see my word above), even if they seem gimmicky at first. Two years ago, I would have scoffed at most of these things in this post, but I can say for sure now that they have helped me work much better.