Every week, we share the shortcuts, workspaces, and productivity tips of our favorite experts.
This week, were going behind the scenes at Lifehacker.
Im David Murphy, and this is how I work.
(Its a beast.)
(Theyre expensive).
I graduated with undergraduate and graduate degrees in journalism from Northwestern Universitys Medill School of Journalism.
I dont recommend it for everyone, but its amazing if you’re free to make it work.
What are your job responsibilities?
Im always happy to help you troubleshoot!
Take us through a typical workday.
Sometimes, thats writing a bunch of articles.
Other times, thats tinkering with various devices or rummaging through operating systems while researching pieces Im working on.
I do a lot of editing of other peoples work, too.
Whats your workspace setup like?
My IKEA desk isntsupermessy, but it could always be cleaner.
What apps, gadgets, or tools cant you live without?
My computer (obviously) and my phonemy lifeline to the world, it seems.
I realize thats kind of odd for a senior technology editor to say, but maybe thats the point.
Sometimes, it feels great to come up for fresh air.
Whats your favorite shortcut or hack?
I love the little goodnight routine Ive set up for my Google Home smart speaker.
How do you keep track of what you have to do?
For larger projects / reminders, the tried-and-true method of sticky notes attached to my monitor.
Yes, I know that various reminder apps exist, and theyre useful and all that.
How do you recharge or take a break?
I really love hiking around the Bay Area, even though I admit I am lazy about it.
Its a gorgeous state with so much to see, and I always feel like I havent done enough.
Yes, I still havent made it to Yosemite.
I am a bad Californian.
Whats your favorite side project?
What are you currently reading, or what do you recommend?
They have a very calming effectthat, and the aforementioned thunderstorm sounds.
Also, the book itselfis gorgeous.
