Quantcast

Subscribe ( RSS | Email )

76,500 People Subscribed

Photo courtesy of manu contreras

Lifehacker’s Gina Trapani: Her Top 3 Productivity Tips and Much More

It’s an honor for me to be able to present this interview I did with Lifehacker editor Gina Trapani, one of my personal blogging heroes. Gina was one of the bloggers who inspired me to start Zen Habits, and she continues to set a standard of excellence to which I aspire to meet with each post.

Gina recently published the second edition of her Lifehacker-in-print book, Upgrade Your Life: The Lifehacker Guide to Working Smarter, Faster, Better, a book I highly recommend to anyone who hasn’t been following Lifehacker religiously for the last few years (as I have). Even if you’re a regular Lifehacker reader, Upgrade Your Life is a great collection of the site’s best tips in an easy-to-read format.

In this interview, Gina reveals her top three productivity tips, what it was like at Lifehacker in the early days, how she wrote her book while writing and editing a massive blog, and her plans for the future. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have!

Leo: Your book is kind of a lo-fi version of Lifehacker, and I’m sure it’s helping a lot of people who never read your blog before. What are you most proud of about the book, and what have people seemed to like most about it?

Gina: The book is a good introduction to Lifehacker for people who don’t read blogs, and people who are less technically savvy that our daily online readers. It highlights our best material in a structured way. The reverse chronological format of a weblog is great for news, but not good for articulating a hierarchy of ideas, even with categories and tags. Each chapter of the book is dedicated to a digital productivity issue–email overload, document organization, attention management, portable work–and contains a specific solution to a problem (like keeping your inbox empty, or synchronizing files between work and home). The book encapsulates the spirit of the web site–which is this daily, ongoing conversation–in a handheld volume. Since web sites are this ephemeral thing that are hard to capture, I think readers really like having something they can throw in their backpack, flip through, reference, and show to their friends and family.

Leo: Writing a book while blogging and editing a top-ranked blog must have been a great challenge even for a productive person like yourself … tell us how you were able to firewall time for book writing.

Gina: It was a difficult challenge, probably the hardest I’ve ever worked in my professional career. During the heat of the process I wrote through nights and weekends, without much free time at all. I got the book-writing done by breaking it down into hour-long sprints. I used a kitchen timer and would set it for 60 minutes and write like mad, without getting up or stopping the whole time. My timer beeps once when there are 10 minutes left and twice when there are 5 minutes left, so I was able to wrap up whatever I was working on in that session. On good days I’d do 3-5 sessions like this throughout the day, on bad ones none. Over time I had a good read of how many hour-long sessions would produce a single hack, and a single chapter, so I was able to plot out my schedule in time for my editor’s deadlines. I actually enjoyed blogging more during the book writing process because I can get a few posts published AND get feedback in an hour!

Leo: What was the “ah-ha!” moment for you, when you started to become more productive, to use lifehacks, to use technology as a productivity tool?

Gina: It wasn’t a singular ah-ha moment for me–it happens whenever I fall off the wagon, regroup, and then see results. When I’m thinking about these things and applying them to my daily life and they work, I go, “Ah ha! See? If I always did the right thing…” Problem is, I don’t follow my own advice as much as I could. :) But, whenever I get an email reminder from myself to do something I would’ve forgotten about had I not set it up, whenever someone says “thanks for getting back to me so quickly,” whenever I see progress on my personal projects … these are the times when I realize (again) that better habits and overall mindfulness works.

Leo: By the time I started reading Lifehacker, it was already huge. Tell us about the early days, when you had only a few hundred readers and you built it into the powerhouse it is today. How did you accomplish that feat?

Gina: The first few months of Lifehacker were a lot of fun but a lot of work. Today I’ve got a staff of 4 writers, a copy editor, and an intern all working together. Back then it was just me writing a dozen posts a day and reading and responding to all the email we received. It was great because I got to form personal connections with a smaller reader community. Since Lifehacker was my almost full time job from the beginning, I had most of the day to read, think, and write. The concept of life hacks was still very new, still something people were exploring in interesting ways. (Today it’s become a way overused and hackneyed, and I take some blame for that!) Since Lifehacker is published under the Gawker umbrella, the power of the network really helped me grow the site’s audience. That backing freed me up from worries about design, ads, traffic, or technical problems. I just got to write, and I focused my energy on producing the best content I could. That’s the best thing any new blogger can do.

Leo: How do you not get into a rut? You write about the same topics every day, for at least a few years, and you manage to keep things fresh and interesting.

Gina: I try to always think about and experiment with new ideas, post spins, publishing formats, and coverage areas to stay out of a rut. Since we cover software and webapp releases and upgrades, we always have something new to write about as it relates to the “same old” productivity topics. Over the years we’ve expanded our coverage to DIY projects, various operating systems, and interesting platforms (like Firefox and the iPhone).

Leo: What do you see yourself doing in five years? What are your biggest dreams, now that you’ve achieved such success?

Gina: In five years I see myself doing the same things I am now–reading, writing, teaching in some form, and making things online. I’m not sure where or in what context exactly; I’ve got to leave some things to chance. My biggest dream? To be doing it smarter and better than I am now.

Leo: You’ve written about hundreds of productivity tips … but if you had to share the top 3 tips from your book, that you use every day and that do the most for your productivity, what would they be?

Gina: When I’m fully committed to using them, my three-folder system for managing email, my online calendar “tickler file” for reminders about stuff I need to do later, and my “doable to-do list” all save me from inevitable productivity meltdown on a daily basis.

To read more of Gina Trapani’s productivity tips, visit Lifehacker or buy her book, Upgrade Your Life: The Lifehacker Guide to Working Smarter, Faster, Better.
—
If you liked this article, please share it on del.icio.us, StumbleUpon or Digg. I’d appreciate it. :)

Comments (28)

Gravatar

Neal Davis Says:

September 11th, 2008, 21:26 pm

For what it’s worth, I use a version of Gina’s three folder system, except with the GMail Lab’s custom star colors.

Gravatar

Ryan McLean Says:

September 11th, 2008, 21:41 pm

This is a really cool interview. It inspired me how people can write and publish books while maintaining a solid and growing blog. This is what I want to do in the future.
I run a financial/entrepreneur blog and although you are not typically a ‘finance’ blog your blog inspires me to keep going and to build the best blog I can.
Thanks for the interview. It’s awesome

Gravatar

banji - LessonInLife Says:

September 11th, 2008, 21:43 pm

I am using the same technique with my mail management, but instead of having two folders dedicated for followup and hold, I just leave it at my inbox. I archive the useful ones and delete everything else. Basically it eliminates that extra steps of going into the folders on a daily basis.

Thanks for the interview Leo, I will now leave and read the remaining two productivity tips :)

Gravatar

Sid Savara Says:

September 11th, 2008, 22:22 pm

Really love the 60 minute kitchen timer suggestion - that really hit home for me. I’m going to try that with blogging as well.

Gravatar

Overcoming Lifes Obstacles Says:

September 11th, 2008, 22:47 pm

Great post and ideas. I email myself all the time, best reminder for my to do lists. Glad to see other people use this technique also.

Gravatar

Tabs Says:

September 11th, 2008, 22:59 pm

Great interview Leo, I was really happy hearing about Gina’s humble beginnings, it serves as measuring stick for my productivity.

-Tabs

Gravatar

Dumb Darwin Says:

September 11th, 2008, 22:59 pm

Very nice work Gina. Great interview also Leo. The “doable to do list” is the one that works best for me. I think everyone should develop it as a habit.

Gravatar

Shanel Yang Says:

September 12th, 2008, 0:18 am

A dozen posts a day?! Totally awesome, Gina! Leo, thanks for the great interview. As interesting as it is useful! : )

Gravatar

Vered - MomGrind Says:

September 12th, 2008, 0:19 am

When I discovered blogs, the first one I found was Lifehacker. I still read it daily, and although I suspect I’m not nearly as computer and internet savvy as Lifehacker’s average reader, I find the content so useful, that I keep going back for more.

Gravatar

Success Professor Says:

September 12th, 2008, 0:56 am

Leo,

Thank you so much for this interview. I’m going to have to get this book.

Gravatar

J.D. Meier Says:

September 12th, 2008, 1:12 am

It’s one thing to do 60 sit ups. It’s another to do as many as you can in a minute. I like your point on writing as much as you can for an hour.

Gravatar

Chris - Zen to Fitness Says:

September 12th, 2008, 1:21 am

Definitely going to have to look into this book. Great interview and very thoughtful questions asked! Posts over the last few days/weeks have been top quality Leo….

Gravatar

Usman Says:

September 12th, 2008, 2:03 am

An excellent interview. I personal learnt a lot from it. I’m thinking of buying the book so mission accomplished I guess :)

Usman
http://burnfatnbuildmuscle.blogspot.com

Gravatar

Lovelyn Bettison Says:

September 12th, 2008, 5:19 am

I haven’t read her site or her book yet, but I enjoyed the interview. I’ll definitely check them out.

Gravatar

DanGTD Says:

September 12th, 2008, 6:01 am

Nice tip about working/writing in 1 hour sprints.
It’s similar to what I learned from another productivity guru, the 60-60-30 rule. Basically it’s this: work for 50 minutes - relax for 10, again work for 50 minutes - relax for 10, and then take a real 30 minutes break in which you should disconnect, and eat something. Then repeat.

Gravatar

emdoozie Says:

September 12th, 2008, 11:45 am

Great interview. For me personally I have experimented with what works for me in my productivity and I think I am almost there. Being that I am working to transition myself from a full time job into my own business online, I have limited time to be productive after 5 o’clock. Time is the most precious commodity we have, specially when we are trying, spend time with family, cook, and relax all while working on personal projects to launch an entrepreneurial career. I wonder what it’s like to have full days all the time to work on “what you want” to work on? That is a dream for me, that I do believe will be realized in the near future.

-doozieUp
http://doozieUp.com

Gravatar

Jack Says:

September 12th, 2008, 12:47 pm

I like the concept of using the kitchen timer. I will start using one today.

Gravatar

Marc and Angel Hack Life Says:

September 12th, 2008, 13:19 pm

I loved Gina’s first book. I’ll check the new one out as well. Wonderful interview. ;-)

Gravatar

"Motivate Thyself" Says:

September 12th, 2008, 16:31 pm

I love hearing first hand how the ‘big time’ bloggers got their start.

I’ve hear others (techcrunch for example) mention putting out many posts a day in the beginning to really get things going. I think this works for some niches but not others. I know that Leo has dropped to about 5 or 6 posts a week to give his readers time to digest the information.

Very informative and enjoyable interview.

Gravatar

Aaron Says:

September 12th, 2008, 22:51 pm

Like many others here, I’m working on building up my website and any productivity ideas are welcome. It’s always interesting to hear how successful bloggers started and some of the things they did to get there. Thanks for the interview – very inspiring.

Gravatar

Darryl Heron Says:

September 12th, 2008, 23:25 pm

It must have been nice to interview Gina. I enjoy reading Lifehacker.

Darryl

Gravatar

DennisSC Says:

September 12th, 2008, 23:41 pm

I like DanGTD’s suggestion, though knowing me it could wind up as 10-50-10-120-10-360 rule.

Gravatar

Alison Wiley Says:

September 13th, 2008, 22:02 pm

While I really appreciate zenhabits, I am curious about what seems to be a pattern of group-think in the comments. People seem compelled to always compliment a post rather than, say, do some honest critical thinking or civil debate that’s intended to make all of us wiser.

I’d like to respectfully question the values behind a couple of the ads.”I’m Rich, You’re Not” seems to me disrespectful of the millions of poor people in the world. What would Gandhi say about that ad, given that he was featured recently (and we all agreed how great he is, myself included)?
On a less profound note I’d also question the “flat stomach” ad. Really superficial, not very Zen. While I happen to have a flat stomach, I wouldn’t call it much of a claim to fame! :)
Thanks for listening. Open to feedback.

Gravatar

Eric Antariksa Says:

September 14th, 2008, 1:25 am

I really like her ideas to use a kitchen timer and then set it for 60 minutes and write like mad. This method force us to focus on writing as many pages as possible. Great idea!

Gravatar

Lauren Says:

September 14th, 2008, 4:31 am

We love you, Gina!!
Seriously, Lifehacker is one of the few blogs which I can honestly say has changed my life for the better. (So is Zen Habits). Lifehacker is like the electronic version of ritalin!

Gravatar

Clara Says:

September 15th, 2008, 3:10 am

Thanks for this great interview. It’s given me some ideas on getting some things done in my own life.

Gravatar

Brett Says:

September 15th, 2008, 9:52 am

@Alison: Most ad panes serve up ads from an ad network. You join as a partner, and they push ads to you based on keywords, markets, product segments, etc. It’s all automated and the algorithms aren’t perfect: ads for fur coats get served on sites trying to save seals, etc.
That’s probably the biggest single problem with the ad-supported model currently in use throughout the web. But, it’s either that or paid, subscription based access.
If it isn’t, and Zen Habits has complete control over ever ad served, then I agree: not the best messages to link to.

Gravatar

JapanDave Says:

September 17th, 2008, 17:53 pm

Wow, cool interview. I used to read lifehacker religiously, but honestly it just got to be too much for me. Now I look at let it build up in google reader for a week and every weekend quickly go thru the headline view, staring the articles I want to read (usually 1-5 of them) and letting the rest go away.

At any rate, Gina is an amazing person. It is still incredible that she built up such a giant network in such little time.

Add your comment





Trackbacks (12)

donate
to Zen Habits

browse




search site