This Is How I Work

I love information. I am an information junkie at best.  I am writing this blog post as if LifeHacker invited me to share in their section "This Is How I Work". Enjoy.
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Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Current Position: Executive Director
One word that best describes how you work: 
Current mobile device: iPhone 7 Plus
Current Computer: Surface Pro 4

​First of all, let me tell you a little about my background and how I got to where I am today.

I love what I do.  From the moment I understood what goals I wanted to accomplish, it was clear what paths I should take.  I didn't always understand technology nor did I grow up with it; it wasn't until I entered the military at age 18 when I was first introduced to networking and computing.  At that time, I began building my passion for life long learning; technology is a great vehicle to get there.  I have been fortunate enough to have been involved with technology audits for various K-12 institutions through work with GreyED Solutions, Gates Foundation, and BleGroup.  These opportunities have broadened my knowledge on how educational organizations change or resist change.

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​What apps, software, tools can't you live without? Why?

My daily work is in OneNote; this is where I dump and organize all of my work. I consider myself a creative process engineer (I say "engineer" simply to make it sound better). OneNote houses the articles I snip, using the OneNote Clipper, and also houses my notes from every meeting I encounter. I haven't always used OneNote.  Previously, I utilized Evernote religiously; I still love the insights it brings in at the bottom of the note that aligns it to other notes or articles I have clipped.  I hope OneNote adds a similar feature as well as top level management of OneNote notebooks.  Search has become my friend for organization.

Sway has become a favorite as well.  Gone are my days of PowerPoint slides exported to JPGs so I can post them to a site for visual artifacts.  Now, I can build the entire presentation in Sway, embed into a webpage with all types of devices supported. Another important tool I keep on the desktop is the Microsoft Garage Snip tool to annotate and clip screenshots. 

Lastly, since I read countless articles, I use Flipboard.  Flipboard understands my interests and brings me a set of articles that fit those interests.  It saves a ton of time and integrates well with my social media interfaces. 

​What's your workspace setup like?

My office has two places I function from:

1. My desk with two monitors (one portrait mode for reading RFPs and contracts)
2. My conference table

Both have Surface docks so I can use a Jabra 420 Conference Speaker for Skype conference calls. I also have an 47 inch LG TV hooked up to a Microsoft Wireless Display module so I can present from the conference table. 

My home is less complex.  It consists of the breakfast nook, cup of coffee, and my Surface Pro 4.  

I haven't always been a PC guy, though.  I sported a Mac since the black Powerbook G3 days. However, in the last 3 years, this has changed.  I started to see the importance of digital inking, both in my daily work with OneNote and as Windows 10 was introduced.  I now consider digital inking a non-negotiable in my computing device requirement.

​What's your best time-saving shortcut life hack?

I love where location based awareness is going.  Siri reminds me of things I need before leaving the house.  This keeps me from forgetting items otherwise I would be turning around for.

Besides your phone and computer, what gadget can't you live without and why?

At this time, I would have to say Amazon Echo with Alexa.  She plays music, she sets timers for the oven, and most of the time she answers many questions I have added skills for.  I see this type of technology in the future bringing efficiency in the home.  I have recently purchased an Ecoobee3 thermostat that can be connected to Alexa.  The future is going to be cool, like Star Trek cool.

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​What everyday thing are you better at than everyone else? 

I am best at making connections - connections to people, connections between solutions, or a combination of the two.   Connections has contributed to us creating solutions for our users and partners like Microsoft.  Feeling connected as a team, we are able to bring more to the end user.

​What do you listen to while you work?

This one is hard.  I love all kinds of music.  But here is a list in order of the genre's I love:

• 90's Alternative/Grunge
• 90's - 2000's Hip Hop
• 70's Rock
• Today's Hits
• 80's Country
• Country

When I work though, I usually listen to 70's rock or Today's Hits - don't want too many profanities playing with the door open. 

​What are you currently reading? What’s something you’d recommend?

Just finished UnCommon Learning by Eric Sheninger.  This book outlines how to transform a learning culture through sustainable and innovative initiatives. It moves straight to the heart of using innovations such as Makerspaces, Blended Learning and Microcredentials.  I would recommend it as well as Launch: Design Thinking.  Both of these books introduce different initiatives effecting K-12 education today.  I like to go through books with someone else.  This introduces accountability but also increases reflection.  

​How do you recharge? What do you do when you want to forget about work?

I love basketball.  In March, the madness begins.  The NCAA tournament allows me to focus on things that have nothing to do with work yet introduces fun stress. I think you have to have stress, it makes you grow as a person.  Risk is important.  I got the opportunity recently to hear Joe Maddon, coach of the World Series Champion Cubs speak.  I took this video from my iPhone and here is what he said about risk:

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What did I get out of this? You gotta be a little crazy and definitely fearless. 

​What’s your sleep routine like? Are you a night owl or early-riser?

I love my everyday process.  I get up at 4:30, workout, then read articles for 15-20 minutes. The workout gets my mind refreshed and ready for my day, and the articles bring reflection to my daily walk.  I also get to bed during the week early, 8:30.  This daily process keeps my mind clear and ready to tackle the challenges brought to me. ​

​What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

Don't take work too seriously.  I have worked and modeled much of my leadership from Mr. Evans for 12 years. He does a great job of being approachable and consistent. 

I would give the same advice but with this addition:
Don't take life too seriously, and be willing to take some risks.  You will feel like life is more fulfilling by taking those risks. 

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