How Chukwudi Works [Productivity]

This is part of a mini project of Q&As with people I know whom I look up to for doing what they want to do. Read all the posts from the series HERE. 

Meet Chukwudi Barrah. 

Where do you live, and what do you do?

I live in Malaysia; I recently moved to Kuala Lumpur city centre from the suburbs (Damansara Perdana). I'm a copywriter in corporate communications and marketing with a digital engagement platform startup—we provide SaaS solutions to help companies better engage employees and customers. I create and edit internal and external communication materials, content for offline and online media (including social networks), as well as dialog for mobile apps.

Which specific part of your job do you enjoy the most, and which do you like the least?

I love writing new feature dialogs for the app and creating fun emails—it’s not something I was used to doing. I usually do business writing, so making my writing more fun and happy is a good challenge—for now—that also gets frustrating sometimes. I guess conquering the obstacle is part of what makes it interesting. I also recently realised that I enjoyed, and now miss writing feature business articles. Maybe that’s just my comfort zone calling out to me. I am not taking that call.

What is/are your favourite productivity app/s and how do you use it/them?

I use Dropbox to sync my articles I'm working on between my work laptop and my home desktop (and my phone, in emergencies). That way, I don't need to transfer files, I’m not tied to any device and I don't forget anything at home or anywhere else.

Flipboard is my news aggregator to find and read articles to build my understanding of workplace behaviours and know what's happening in the world.

On the social media side, I use Buffer to schedule posts for our online platforms.

I use Workout Trainer to create my timed workouts—2-3 times weekly in the morning to clear my head.

Not an app, but I have a notebook and a pen that I jot notes on in meetings and use for reminders.

Do you have a “work” playlist? 

Not really. I prefer writing in the absence of music. Low-decibel, almost inaudible background sounds work just fine. If the noise gets too loud (or I'm desperately looking for inspiration), I play any collection of piano or soft instrumental music—usually new every time and ones that I've never heard before, so that I don't really pay attention to the music.

Who is your career role model, and which part of their work process are you emulating? How’s that been?

Is it bad that I don't have a career model? Having models is great. People and circumstances are different. The greats followed their paths to get to where they are—maybe they had role models, maybe they didn't. However, the path they followed may not always be right for you. I look at where I am and where I think I could be, and make a path in the general direction. Aim for the moon, they said...

What’s your favourite productivity hack? Do you have a “secret super-hack” that makes you good or better at what you do?

Create a routine for any process that does not require extra thinking. Then all you have to do is rinse and repeat.

Have your ideas at night but write early in the morning. How early depends on you. My early is 9am when the office is still mostly empty. I try to get as much of my writing done before 10am when most people get there.

I go for a run, workout or cycle—something outside that gets the blood flowing in the evenings after work. You may not get a groundbreaking idea, but it helps clear the workday stress. And sometimes, you run or cycle outside the box enough to think clearly about work and personal issues. Some people meditate and practice mindfulness for the same reason.

If you have the time and you imbibe, then this may come in handy. Write when you're sober and edit when you're drunk. The alcohol helps you see all the bullshit in your writing and removes the hesitation in cutting it out. I recommend you save a copy of the original though.

How/where do you get work or career inspiration or motivation?

My inspiration and motivation comes from everywhere—from my experiences, things that I see and do daily and, of course, the internet.

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

"Never give the baby away" in your article introduction. That’s terrible advice though. Most people don’t have the time to read to the middle of your article to find out what it’s about, so get straight to the point.

What are your workspace essentials? What does your workspace look like?

At least two displays (laptop displays count as one).Cigarettes and ashtray (not in the office).Drinking water, phone, and a pen and paper.

What specific work task can you safely say you’ve done for 10,000 hours (and claim expertise on)?

Scientifically, we may or may not need 10,000 hours (1.141553 years) to be experts at anything. I've been writing and editing for more than 10,000 hours and I'm no expert in either, although I can do them well. The lessons keep coming and I keep learning. I've also spent more than that amount of time in building computers, running, cycling and working out—all of which I know a lot about, but, there's still a lot to learn.