Productivity Genius, Jared Goralnick, on Focus, Email and Blues Dancing

What’s your story?

I was definitely driven to technology (and distraction!) from a young age. But somehow or another I’ve managed to do all right. I studied software engineering at a nearby college when I was in high school, earning a software engineering degree at 17. Then I went on to study philosophy and got a BA in that at 20. Prior to that I’d been working mostly at startups doing software work, so I decided to start a business. For six years we focused on productivity solutions for large businesses, but a couple years ago we changed gears to focus on a consumer internet application, AwayFind.

Somewhere along the way I got involved a lot in swing and blues dancing, running events like Ignite DC and Bootstrap Maryland, and generally attempting to find balance. It’s not always so easy to relax, but I’m happy with how things are going.

If you weren’t doing what you’re doing now, what would you be doing?

I’d likely be addressing distractions or communication challenges at a startup or large internet company. I believe our relationships with technology and the manner in which we digitally communicate will take on ever greater roles in who we become over the next century. This is my field and I’m sticking with it.

How did you come about discovering AwayFind?

Reading the Four Hour Workweek I found value in Tim’s approach to batching email, but saw AwayFind as a much better way of offering an auto-responder. However, over time it evolved into so much more than a tiny tool that relates to GTD and 4HWW.

Your take on society’s interaction with technology?

Technology has the potential to make our lives much better and more active, but usually it overwhelms us, creating an always-on mentality that challenges our ability to slow down and focus for any extended period. People that are reading this are probably technically proficient, but society as a whole could benefit a whole lot from education in both technology and the type of logical problem-solving it can foster.

Describe your work arrangements

Things are very organized, and I can work fine at home, at coffeehouses, or at other people’s offices. I prefer having multiple monitors, but otherwise it doesn’t matter where in the world I am.

Coffee or Tea person?

I really like both coffee and tea, and geek out on getting the right mixtures together. However, I try not to have more than one dose of caffeine per day, usually a cortado (espresso with a drop of milk) right after lunch.

Any favorite Gadgets for focus?

Devices help me to stay informed and plan less; for instance, portable internet via iPhone is a huge timesaver. Multiple monitors make it easier to create workspaces for specific tasks. As for focus, I’m not sure gadgets generally help!

Besides AwayFind, any favorite web apps?

Basecamp and Wave are workflow tools that are essential for collaboration. But for personal focus, the paid version of RescueTime is particularly helpful as it blocks distracting websites.

Besides 4hww and Getting Things Done, list your favorite book

Once you understand the general philosophy behind productivity systems, books on that subject don’t really matter. Productivity is basically just “Get stuff out of your head and into a tool, do one thing at a time.” What matters is getting your head around the motivation and psychology that drives you. So on those topics, I suppose Driven to Distraction (about ADHD) and Drive (about intrinsic motivation) are excellent resources. The latter is more relevant to most people, and is both practical and fascinating.

What’s your purpose?

Impact. I want to change the way more people use technology. Right now it’s usually an obstacle to productivity and finding contentment—I want it to become a vehicle instead.

Describe your routine

Bed by midnight, hopefully. When I get up, I go for a run, eat breakfast, and then work on the most important things. Email comes before lunch. Meetings come after lunch. I wrote a detailed account of my day at WebWorkerDaily.

Overall thoughts on getting focused?

Stay away from email before lunch. Listen to your body’s natural energy levels and try to structure your day around that. Do one thing at a time. Don’t hesitate even though it seems like a real pain to get started on the hardest task of the day. Use AwayFind and you’ll become more handsome, well-liked, and productive.

IMPORTANT: If you enjoyed this article, I'd like for you to experience much more by purchasing the book. You can check out via Paypal or Google Checkout. Click here to buy the book.