2021-12-01-How-I-Work-008-Ryan-Maynard.md

title	layout	permalink	author	tags
How I Work - 008 Ryan Maynard	post		ryanmaynard	blog interview how-i-work

In an effort to explore the talent in our community, Devanooga is doing a "How I Work" series of articles akin to the series Lifehacker produced in the 2010s. If you would like to be a part of the series, submit a PR with the questions answered or contact one of our moderators.

Name

Ryan Maynard

Devanooga username

ryanmaynard

Occupation

Management Consultant & Owner @ a small software co

Location

Chattanooga, TN 37405

Current daily computer

IBM Thinkstation running standard Ubuntu

Current mobile device

iPhone 12 Pro Max

One word that best describes how I work:

lists

What apps, software, and/or tools can't you live without?

Graphpad, G2 Pilot pens, and a lot of lists.

What is your best time-saving shortcut?

Sock day. Every year I buy about 200 of the same brand of anklet sock so that I never have to bother pairing them. I do similar with bulk packs of plain tees for home-office days.

What is your workspace setup like?

Autonomous dual-drive sit/stand desk, dual 23" samsung monitors, thinkstation, mac mini, Kanto speakers, Brother printer, Yeti mic, Logitech G512 keyboard, Razer Naga mouse, and a large cup of electrolyte water.

Favorite or must-have gear in your workspace?

Really into using Procreate on iPad with an Apple Pencil for diagrams, modeling, sketches, and renders.

What do you listen to while you work?

Lofi or 00s Alt Rock. I make a lot of playlists.

What everyday thing are you better at than everyone else? What's your secret?

Taking insurmountable projects and breaking them down into a list of seemingly endless but very doable tasks. I have found that persistence, an open mind, and an iterative process can do things talent couldn't dream of doing. This is exciting to me, because it means I can be mediocre at something, but with enough desire and persistence, can produce above-average output.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

Luck is when preparation meets opportunity.

What is some advice you would give to yourself earlier in your career?

Read and study all you like, but it will never actuate until you start doing.

Anything else you would like to add?

Learning to understand people is how to increase your output at log scale. We all typically want the same things: to be understood, to have a sense of purpose, to belong, to be happy. Being able to read the intent of others, to communicate and listen well, and ultimately - to bring out the best in people, can produce things an individual could never do alone. And besides, everyone has something to teach.