How I work

My name is Braden Schmidt, in this post I have been tasked to answer a couple of questions on how I work. Please enjoy this little bit of insight into my work life.

Location:

I currently live and work in Westminster Colorado

Current gig:

For the last 14 months I have worked as a lead guest services trainer at SmashBurger

Current mobile device:

I’m still running a good old Iphone 6s

Current computer:

Most of what I do is done on my HP Envy X360 convertible laptop

One word that best describes how you work:

Chaotic, but please let me explain what I mean when I say that. When people hear that I work very chaotically, they tend to think that's a bad thing due to the negative connotations surrounding the word “chaos”. However, I have found that a chaotic style of work is where I thrive. I like to have things thrown at me and even be overwhelmed. This goes back to where I said I work best under pressure. It’s just a preference I’ve developed over the last few years. I’m still always looking for ways to maximize my efficiency, but so far this style of working has served me very well. 

What apps/software/tools can’t you live without?: 

I’m someone who likes to keep my virtual tool belt light. However I definitely just couldn’t work properly without Google calendar, Gmail, Slack, and Google docs. Of course I also need my Spotify, and FL Studio Pro for fun.

What’s your workspace like?:

I like to keep my workspace very organized, I have a spot for everything that’s always in reach. This just helps me stay in the zone when I go into my focus mode. I also have blacklights because I tend to work with more focus and attention in that environment. Not to mention two giant speakers because I work so much better with music.

What’s your best time-saving trick?:

As odd as it sounds, I do my hardest work after 10 PM. I do this because with the way my sleep schedule works, late at night is really the start of my next day. Because I tend to be very ADHD oriented, working late allows me to cut out distractions I have throughout the day. That way I can put all my focus into working and complete projects quicker.

What’s your favorite to-do list manager?:

Currently I use a notebook and pen, but I am working on learning to effectively use Wunderlist.

Besides your phone and computer, what gadget can’t you live without?:

Definitely my headphones. Any time I’m working in public I have to have them so I can keep my music bumping and get in my zone. 

What everyday thing are you better at than anyone else?:

Working under pressure is a strong point of mine. I feel like I do my best work when there’s a lot depending on me completing a task.

What are you currently reading?:

In all honesty I’m not currently reading anything specific. I spend most of my free time in a recording studio or writing.

What do you listen to while you work?:

I like to listen to hyped up music most of the time because I’ve found it helps me work quickly. My two favorite albums to work to currently are Confessions of a Dangerous Mind by Logic, and Hollywood’s Bleeding by Post Malone.

Are you more of an introvert or an extrovert?:

I’m definitely an extrovert. I feel like I would go insane if I didn't have frequent human contact.

What’s your sleep routine like?:

In a word, terrible. I typically sleep between 3-5 hours a night. I work my day job through most of the day, spend the rest of the evening getting chores done and taking a second to relax, and then throughout the night I work on writing and recording music, and fulfilling my responsibilities for Praxis. By the time I completed my to do list as well as whatever else pops up, it’s well past 3 am.

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

An old friend of mine once told me that when it comes to achieving what you want in life, “It’s not about how you achieve your goals, it’s about how you chase them”. That gave me this mindset where I focused less on trying to make my goals come to fruition as fast as possible. Instead I focused more on the steps involved in someday accomplishing my dreams and achieving my goals.

-Braden Schmidt 9/13/19