Coding: How I Work Series

Patrick Fernandez

New Jersey City University

EDTC803: Data Analysis and Report Writing
Using Primary Sources
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Introduction

The purpose of this paper is to find emerging themes among twelve individuals whom

have been profiled in Lifehacker’s “How I Work” series. The “How I Work” series conducts

interviews with individuals from diverse work backgrounds to discuss their daily routines and

work processes in their respective fields or careers. In addition to professional and educational

backgrounds the interviews conducted offer a lens to individuals personal lives to offer

additional context. This paper will analyze three qualitative data points that emerge as common

themes and/or traits that the majority of the twelve individuals share based on the information

gathered from interview responses. In total ten interviews were used and conducted between

2018 and 2020 from the “How I Work” series.

Participants

For the purpose of this paper the twelve individuals chosen have been purposely

selected based on occupation. All twelve of the chosen individuals are creators of content for

their respective fields. In the field of literature authors have been chosen, represented by Preeti

Chhibber, Morra Aarons-Mele, and Ausma Zehanat Khan. In the field of media and

entertainment five individuals have been selected, represented by Patrick Moberg, David

Raymond, Hannah Hart, Heather Hass, and Guy Raz. The fields of productivity and technology,

Squarespace Chief Creative Officer, David Lee and The Boomerang Team members Alex

Moore, Aye Moah, and Mike Chin have been selected.

Theme 1: Time Management

Since the “How I Work” Series focuses on work productivity, the first theme to emerge

among the majority of these individuals dealt with time management. Ten of the twelve

individuals selected utilize some form of technology to manage their time. Time management
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skills were evident in these ten individuals through a variety of methods including setting

appointments on calendars, setting reminders, and use of to do list or checklist.

The most common method included using calendar and reminders applications; with

eight of the twelve participants noting their use. Google platforms were most commonly used to

maintain appointments and time management. Chef and cooking show content creator, Hannah

Hart noted “I am obsessed with Google Calendar” (Douglas 2019) and Two Dots game creator

Patrick Moberg also noted use of Google Calendars. While all three members of the Boomerang

team noted use of their application which sets reminders via Google Email along with author

Morra Aarons-Mele. Outlook Calendar app was used in a similar method by author and podcast

creator Guy Raz. In addition to calendars, checklists were the second most popular method of

managing time among the participants chosen with four of the twelve noting using them. Author

Preeti Chhibber notes use of a checklist app called Todolist with high praises “I use Todoist

every day. I love this app. I know when every deadline is for every single thing I’m working on it,

and it yells at me when I haven’t done the thing and checked it off” (Calhoun 2020). While David

Raymond and Ausma Zehanat Khan prefer creating their own list on paper or a google

document. David Lee of Squarespace also describes using a checklist method with his email,

noting “My inbox is now my to-do list. If there is an email sitting there, it means I have to take

action on it. If I need a reminder for something, I’ll simply send myself an email so that I have a

visual indicator.” (Douglas 2019)

Of the twelve individuals selected only one made no mention of an organized time

management system, Heather Hass a Lifehacker Creative Producer. Heather’s only comments

on her creative process as it relates to time management was her collaboration with colleagues

whom aid in the logistics of her day to day. Each of the individuals are talented in their

respective fields, therefore it should come of little surprise that a large majority utilize practical

and effective time management systems. However, considering creative personalities tend to be
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less prone to logical processes than analytical left brained counterparts, this data may suggest

that right brained dominant personalities can be just as organized with their time.

Theme 2: Breaks and Recharging

The “How I Work” series interviews follow a similar question structure to offer full context

into the creative process of each of its participants. One example of a question answered by all

of the participants chosen was “What is something you do to recharge or take a break?”. Among

the twelve individuals selected, eight of them mentioned walking, running or hiking at least one

a week or daily. David Raymond noted the importance of a daily walk in his interview saying “My

life hack is a 30-minute walk every day.” (Douglas 2018). While author Morra Aarons-Mele

noted a daily walk is part of her routine each day in her schedule noting “11:00 am Go for a walk

(alone!).” (Douglas 2017).

An additional theme that emerged from walkers and non-walkers alike was their

recharging time involved time alone much like Morra Aarons-Mele. For game app creator

Patrick Moberg bath time was used to unwind, noting “baths, I’ve started to do that occasionally.

The proximity to water is a helpful way to ensure you don’t get distracted by electronics.”

(Douglas 2018). Hanna Hart, Creator of My Drunk Kitchen enjoys spending time in her garden.

While walker and Squarespace’s David Lee notes solitary walks boosts his creativity noting “I’ll

go for a run without music, alone with my thoughts and the sounds of the city. This is when most

of my creative breakthroughs come to life.” (Douglas 2019). Other examples of breaks or

recharge time include exercising, cooking and drinking tea, which may suggest that everyday

solitary activities may be essential or even necessary in the creative process.

Theme 3: Reading Habits

It should come of no surprise that nine of the twelve individuals mentioned in their interview their

reading habits. Again, the “How I Work” series often prompts interviewee’s similar questions,
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one of these being to share reading habits. Of the nine participants which shared reading habits

one emerging theme was six of these readers noted enjoying non fiction literature. Many of the

non fiction books mentioned offer insight into other artists, creators, influential people or

commentary on humanity. One example came author Ausma Zehanat Khan who at the time of

the interview had enjoyed reading a biography on the prophet Muhammad. While David Lee

noted the book titled, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century as an important book that offered great

information on “intersection of humanity and technology” (Douglas 2019). Aye Moah mentioned

the influence the book titled, 80,000 Hours, had because “It’s a framework for helping on how

best to choose a career with high social impact.” (Douglas 2018).

While six of the twelve individuals used literature and reading habits that could have an

impact on their creative process and career; others did not mention their reading habits or

mentioned reading only serving the purpose of leisure. There is some evidence to suggest the

correlation between reading with a purpose and its benefits on the creative process. However a

larger sample size and further research would be required to find a stronger correlation.

References
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