How I Do It
When meeting people in a group for the first time, one question that comes up often is, “How do you find the time to do all that you do?” They’re talking about the daily blog posts, the Twitter, the speaking at events, conversations, my actual job, and my family life. I often answer somewhat jokingly that I just type a lot. It’s only somewhat jokingly. Part of it is typing. But I can share more.
Side note. It’s funny that people are always telling me that I seem very busy. 1, I am. 2, that’s okay. It’s a good thing. 3, Gandhi had the same hours in a day as me. Time is never the answer. Learn to master your calendar, or it will master you.
Don’t Sleep Late
I have help in this department.
But, I find that by sleeping no more than six hours (not recommended, but you asked!), I have a few more hours in the day.
Don’t Watch TV
I don’t have cable. I watch some movies, and video stuff from the Internet in doses, but I don’t have a TV habit. That gives me back a few hours a day that some of you occupy otherwise.
Think While Doing Other Things
All day long, my head is formulating information. I’m thinking about things I’ve read and researched, things that I’ve learned through my own trial and error, and things gathered through conversations and other learning avenues. But my processing of that data goes on when I’m at the grocery store, or the gas station, or on my long commute. This gives me the opportunity to choose how I use the information I gather.
Sometimes, it’s appropriate for work. For example, I’ve got a newsletter (my job newsletter) deadline coming up, so I’m reading about emerging technology trends. But instead of just reading about them, when I’m standing in line, waiting for the man in front of me to finish arguing with the automated cash register, I’m wondering how HP acquiring EDS further advances the mindset of business processing over traditional IT computing.
Read Good People
I learn all day from people like Chris and Jon and Jeremiah and Geoff and Valeria and oh so many others. I dip my head into Twitter to find the gems. I seek out stories via Google Blogsearch and via podcasting channels.
Oh, and I watch TED and Pop!Tech and really clever stuff like that, too.
Practice, and Type a Lot
Want to know my secret to writing well? Write often. Write a lot. Read it aloud. Write even more. The more I type, the better I learn how to formulate my thoughts, the better my language flows in a way that you read it, understand it, and can find parts to act upon.
Laboratory Stuff
Okay, for the bonus round, let me tell you about the whole thing, all in one place, in a way that you might understand it. Don’t tell people. Shhh. Get closer.
Ultimately, I’ve come to believe that we are writing a new kind of code (like software, but also like genetics, and also like secret code). This code requires human interfaces, and that’s us, but it’s also the way we use the tools and devices we choose to use to convey information. What I am doing, more than anything else, is trying to use these tools, to master them, and to understand how this relates to human needs, human behavior, and how I might encourage behaviors to move in certain patterns that match my original intent.
Programming. I’m learning how to program, and so to do that, I have to write lots of code.
Why? To be helpful. To know how to connect others. I met some brilliant people tonight, and my first thought was, “How can I loop these people into the network, such that they can provide resources to others?” One especially clever copywriter will likely find new business within not so many days, if I can figure a few more things out.
Let me recap all that: I’m learning how to use these tools to build human networks, and then using what I’ve learned to help others achieve their business and organizational goals.
How? I don’t sleep and type a lot. Right?
We can talk more in detail about how I use the networks and outposts tomorrow, okay?
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Comments
Chris - Thanks for elaborating on this topic. Was a pleasure sharing beers with you tonight @ the Tweetup. Look forward to doing it again.
@Ken - it was a blast, and thank you.
I plan to write more about it, but just don’t know what people would find useful. I will noodle on this more.
ROFLMAO. Yes, yes, yes and yes. 6 hrs of sleep, small kids, no TV, read lots, type even more. And now that I finished school I should have even more time to not sleep :)
From the outside looking in, it seems to me that you have a gigantic passionate curiosity that keeps moving you forward. It just lights up everything you do. And you never seem very slowed down by disappointment–it seems to bug you briefly, but then you shrug it off.
That’s how it looks from out here, anyway. :)
Very timely post, based on my current ‘almost late to the table for an important presentation’ situation -I have to get to the ‘typing alot’ part. I do the thinking/formulating constantly, also with the long commute…my shortcoming is putting fingers to keyboard and actually getting it down. I don’t watch tv either, but I find that I spend so much time reading and researching that I don’t make the time to note the conclusions and ideas that form from the learning.
After a certain period, the ideas and potentially excellent thoughts drift away or get buried under phonecalls and interruptions.
Thinking and planning is part of it, but the solidifying and thought process path created by writing it down is where the the rubber meets the road.
Write alot. Read it. Close my office door. Write more. Got it. Thanks.
@isle
The last part - Laboratory Stuff - was probably the best, most engaging thing I’ve read online in years - no kidding. I read it 3 times to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating. Thanks very much.
Great article, so simple, yet so many people neglect what is right in front of them.
I too have started a habit of waking up rather early and I’ve not had cable for about three years, and both of changes have upped my own productivity.
I really hope that I have the pleasure of hearing you speak one day. I’ve poured through your site, and branched out to other sites thanks to your recommendations.
Keep up the great work!
you get six hours? That’d be wonderful.
What’s powerful is that we read each other, and encourage each other, but our ideas flow in different directions. Because you do that consistently with many people, you are able to synthesize and cross-pollinate (intentionally mixed metaphors)in was that benefit (and astonish) all of us. (Including yourself at times, I would like to believe.)
Chris, I have to tell you, you inspired me a lot. I’ve tried to bring a social media awareness in small organizations groups over at my country. I have to say.. its slowly picking up. I kind of found a freelance job too.. Thx to you pal..
I have good news for you, in a few more years, the kids will let you sleep longer. Then you’ll have to start setting your alarm to keep up the pace. :)
Absolutely adorable kids you got there!
@Karen - thanks. I’m reasonably fond of them myself. The girl is such a star, and Harold? Well, we love Harold.
@Saran - I’m really happy that’s working out for you. Which country is that, by the way?
@Jon - Oh, you may believe that. I’m often surprised at the mystery of it all. The spirit moves through all things, I’ve heard it said.
What I love about your writing is that your personality really shines in it. I’ve only met you in person once, and we had a brief conversation, but that was enough to get a sense of who you are. It was after your talk at the Podcast Academy.
I was not aware that you had a day job! And a commute!
So I’m even more impressed with all that you do.
I too have a young child, and I think having kids helps a person get more done, cause you don’t have as much time as you used to, so there is less procrastination.
Wonderful post Chris. Your writing style is so conversational and inviting and supportive and inspiring. The fact that you do this everyday and give so much to the community is amazing. Now we know how you do it and why.
Don’t worry though your secret is safe… oh I forgot, you just told the whole world!
I’m looking forward to your Lifecasting session tomorrow at SME, I’ll be looking for the feed. All the very best.
ouww..
i see that..
- dont sleep late [ ]
- dont wacth tv [done]
- Think While Doing Other Things [ ]
- Read Good People [done]
- Practice, and Type a Lot [ ]
- Laboratory Stuff [done]
oh god..mant things i have not done yet
warm hug from here
Trims.
Great insight Chris, I’m looking to implement a new schedule overall so I can get my things done as well. I’ve found starting the day with some exercise at the gym helps to jumpstart my brain cells too!
@Andre - that is totally true. Working out in the morning gives you TONS of advantages of sedentary people. Great point to add.
@Larry - there was a change of plans with that, I’m sorry to report, but Steve Garfield has stepped in to shoulder the responsibilities, and he took my moderation questions, so maybe there’ll be a little bit of me in there, still. : )
@Reconciler - well, it’ll come. : )
@Christina - you’re right, of course. It’s like the Twitter of life, young children, because we have fewer minutes in the day.
Great post … your kids look just like you ;] … and, fantastic answer and food for though. Thank you for your insight here.
Its funny but people ask me the same question and I just typcially don’t understand it. I don’t feel like I do that much or get that much done, so I never thought about the ‘how’ part. And, its not that I’m going to print this post out and just reiterate what you’ve said here … but I have to say that ignoring television and sleeping less than needed are part of my secret too. And now I have a few others to examine and see if they’re part of my routine, but I also have this post to help me think about how I get so much done.
It was fun seeing you at the end of my visit to POP Signal. Just when I thought there was a social media event sans Brogan, there you were, surreally jammed into the afterparty booth with similarly passionate and intelligent leaders of the mediaSpace. I hope to bump into you again soon, and I’m sure I will …
Thanks again for this post { and others of course }
@Lou - that should be another post: how I end up seeming to be everywhere. : ) Glad I saw you, too.
And you’re right that it’s not just me getting it done. You’re doing all kinds of stuff.
Im in Malaysia Chris.. Social Media is really slow over here.. Its tough to convince people that there is an opportunity online.. Clients are finger countable.. very few.. But I do have hope.. Its pretty interesting to spread an awareness.
Thanks Chris! I’ve been needing a great way to tell my boss and others around me how I actually do this too. He doesn’t believe in the power of multi-tasking and thinks that the Internet is a distraction. I’m with you.
Human networks
In a way it’s like reversing what TV has done to the western world. Commendable and a very interesting task.
I´ll be listening and commenting every now and again. More when I get a better handle on that pesky calendar ;)
Wow, great post again Chris. I’m not sure I’m ready to give up my TV addiction. You’re not the first one to recommend it, it’s a HUGE time sink. I usually grab the laptop and noodle around with programming projects on the couch while something else is on providing background noise. Probably my ADHD needs a minor distraction. :)
Learning how to program? Do tell more. :)
Thanks for the hat tip, you’re a fav in my reader, too.
Cable TV is a big detriment, and not having it saves me hours upon hours. I totally agree with this, and recommend cutting it to most people.
Thats funny. When people ask me about finding time to do stuff I always tell them that I don’t watch TV. Which isn’t exactly true. I do watch TV but I watch it very selectively. There are, at any particular time, one or two regular shows that I watch. Which amounts to 2 hours a week max. I never never just turn it on to veg out and have something to do, there’s always something else to do than that.
T.v I agree on that throw that thing out the window or better recycle it…
Funny your laboratory stuff reminded me of HUAR – Humans United Against Robots..
Can wait to read more about this.
Chris,
You’re Brilliant! Your analysis shows a perfect blend of the four catalysts of Personal Brilliance - Awareness, Curiosity, Focus, and Initiative.
@Canterucci
Okay, so I have this “condition,” and docs are constantly telling me I need at least 9 hrs sleep a night. And I whine because I’m still tired, fatigued, a train-wreck. I read this and thought, “oh, nice. another person who doesn’t sleep.” And assumed you wouldn’t get it.
BUT, it was *me* who wouldn’t get it!! Read that paragraph again: I’m still tired after 9 hrs. So? Why not just come up with a sleep schedule, stick to it, and deal with the consequences? After all, I’m going to be tired with 9 hrs or 7 hrs of sleep (can’t function on 6, so I have to concede somewhere).
Thanks for putting that out there… it was a challenge for me to look at this again!
With kids, having TV can work in reverse. We need those half hours of Max and Ruby to get other things done. If we cancelled cable…I don’t know what we’d do. Judge if you will but with 3 kids under 4, the electronic babysitter is a necessity in our house.
Hey Sir,
It’s my honor to get inspired by you. For your kind attitude from your nature of speech which inspires me.
I do like to point out that, I think I do not deserve a Sir at the end. Ha ha. I believe I do not have much experience in life as Im only
18 Sir. I believe, I am the one who should give you that respect. thank you for your modesty.
Just sleeping on time and not watching live TV makes SUCH a big difference in how much time you have to do the stuff that needed getting done.
This blog- BIG (positive) distraction. = )
Wow, thank you for the shout, Chris. Ditto, I am inspired by what you learn and how you think together with us here and on Twitter.
I have not watched TV for years. Before I blogged so much (yes, there was such a time), I used to read voraciously. I still do, but not nearly close to the 120 books/year (mostly fiction).
RE: Don’t Watch TV
Totally agree with this one. Got rid of my tv about 8 years ago and it’s the best thing I’ve ever done. Get weird looks from the door-to-door cable tv salespeople who come knocking and don’t believe me, but otherwise I’m like you : I go online or rent dvds for stuff that really interests me. If I had one in the house, I’d be watching home renovation shows all day long, I swear.
Since I don’t, I end up with a few more available hours in my day than most of my neighbours.
You know, I would love to not have a TV. I have some televison vices. My biggest one however has GOT to be live sports! Sports kicks my ass and you really can’t TIVO it can you?
I should say that TV isn’t evil. Our inability to selectively moderate our lives is truly at stake, but that’s like telling a recovering alcoholic that it’s okay to have a few beers in the fridge, just in case. I believe TV can be that addictive.
Oh, and let’s not fool anyone. The web can be that addictive, too. If you’re not on the web for business (or whatever your vocations are), where are you? Are you spending hours there, feeling smug about no TV? Same thing, in the end.
It’s how we manage our schedules that I’m pointing out. But TV does seem to be top of the list of places where we lose a few hours.
Much love to you all for your sharing.
Thanks for the post. Nice to see the insight of industry leaders and how they handle their busy schedule.
It’s something I’ve been working on lately and have gotten better and better with time management. Still have a ways to go but great insight on your personal schedule.
Chris, as evident by the many comments, you touch many lives. I really found your outlook on “a new kind of code” most refreshing. I am finding these little gems quite interesting.
What is most amazing is that my little experiment to create and partake in the mindshare across this bold new world is working quite well. I am ‘meeting’ people and exchanging ideas anew - well, maybe not at your scale just yet ;-)
I look forward to reading the writing!
Great post and very helpful. One thing I would like add is not to get to carried away with your thoughts and actually live in that exact moment. It is very amazing and it makes me appreciate the moment. I find “being” creates an alertness that us incomparable to anything else I have ever tried.
Step outside of your unconscious and into your conscious.
Ya it is a little deep, but worth a try :-)
You are such a leading-edge thought kind of person. I look forward to your posts and am thankful that you continue to share your knowledge. Namaste.
You’re right - thinking about how HP acquired EDS is much more productive than getting frustrated by the guy that can’t run the automatic checkout! Imagine how many more hours we’d all have in the day if we just accepted whatever situation we’re in and then used the time we’d normally spend fussing about it actually accomplishing something.
As for not sleeping late, that’s totally true and for those people, like myself, who don’t have kids I recommend dogs. They work the same way.
Writing is all about practice, but it also takes passion. I HAVE to write every day. I don’t have a choice. If I miss a day I feel awful. Kind of ironic for someone who flunked out of English in Grade 10. :-)
I love this metaphor of life on the edge as writing a new kind of code …
Sometimes chaotic, always innovate, it seems to me that we’re collectively writing useful, open source code for a structure of ever-evolving human connection and interaction.
Another great post, Chris!
[…] May 22, 2008 “How do you do all that you do?” Posted by SuperDave under Effectiveness http://www.chrisbrogan.com/how-i-do-it/ […]
[…] Chris Brogan, a huge voice in the blog community, shares his tips for processing information effectively and turning out awesome content in How I Do It […]
Chris, Thank you for this. You know that as a woodturner I have a lot of time that needs to be spent offline. I do my best keeping up with blogs that I follow as well as blogging, podcasting, streaming and twittering myself. Yes it is true that we only have so much time in the day. As soon as am able to shed the 9-5 job I think it will open up many more opportunities. Thank you for the post and giving such a great explanation. However, if I could bring one more quick point to the table.
Every person on this earth has an amazing capacity for creativity, but if one does not maximize both sides of the coin the other side will eventually fail.
What I mean by this is “Exercise” your brain to feed your body, and e”Exercise” your body to support your brain. My thoughts are, those that do not take care of the brain and the body will just burn out!
Longevity, means to train like a marathon runner not a sprinter. This is the area I have the most trouble finding time for.
Again - Thank you for the post.
Keith Burtis
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Here's my favorite line from this post: "I’m learning how to use these tools to build human networks, and then using what I’ve learned to help others achieve their business and organizational goals."
I have often wondered that same question about you and so many others I follow! You outline some great tips, and am looking forward to tomorrows post =)