In this edition of Workflow, we have freelance copywriter and editor Jefferey Spivey, talking to us about how he manages client work with organisation and frequent breaks.
Workflow is an interview series by Balance the Grind to get a glimpse into people’s working styles and workspaces. If you’re interested in sharing your workflow, submit it here!
Describe what you do: I’m a full-time freelance copywriter and editor, and I mainly work with small businesses, solopreneurs, and independent authors. I’m also a published humor writer and fledgling screenwriter.
How do you like your coffee: Though I love a cup of coffee from time to time, I typically have water and a glass of kefir (a probiotic drink made from fermented milk) with breakfast. If I need caffeine, I usually go for a strong black tea like English Breakfast.
Device(s) you use: I’m a bit of an Apple devotee. I do all of my client work and creative writing on my 13-inch MacBook Pro and my 27-inch Apple Thunderbolt Display. (Though my ergonomic keyboard is from Goldtouch.)
I read screenplays, articles, and books on my iPad mini. And I manage most of my social media messages on my iPhone X. Also, I play music during the day on a Bose Mini SoundLink Bluetooth speaker or my Sony MDR-ZX220BT headphones.
Describe your working style in one sentence: My working style is all about organization and frequent breaks – I make sure everything, from meals and dog walks to cleaning my inbox, is added to my calendar, and I never go more than 3 hours without some kind of break (for a workout, lunch, a walk around the block, etc.).
What does your workspace look like: My husband and I just relocated to Des Moines, Iowa (from Bentonville, Arkansas) for his new job. So, we’re staying in corporate housing at the moment, and all the creature comforts of my home office are crammed into a storage unit somewhere.
In the meantime, I’ve converted the dresser in our spare bedroom into a desk with the essentials – my MacBook, the Thunderbolt Display, my ergonomic keyboard, a pen holder and paper organizer, a calendar (to track deadlines for writing contests), and a faux plant to liven up the space.
How does your workspace affect your creative process: My current workspace has made it harder to concentrate – it’s not as optimized or as comfortable as my normal setup, and there are more distractions. I’ve tried to combat this with a soothing soundtrack and also by standing more frequently (especially when I’m doing more reading-intensive tasks). Both strategies have helped me maintain my creative output.
Do you have a favourite playlist for work: I actually love writing to movie scores – my current fave is the score to The Last Black Man in San Francisco. It’s equal parts emotional, soothing, and whimsical. When I need a break from scores, I listen to one of the curated My Mix playlists from TIDAL, which are pulled together based on my listening habits.
Who would you like to nominate for the next Workflow interview: My friend, Victoria Coker, Founder & CEO of Coloredcontent and Black Web Fest.
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