In their new-to-us "Lifehacking"* section, Slate asks a few celebrities what kind of tricks they use to get things done. Here are my favorite responses.
Photo by Benimoto.
Patty Stonesifer, chairwoman of the Smithsonian Institution Board of Regents:
I do a short exercise with every request that comes through-I ask myself "If I had to do this today, would I be glad?
Judd Apatow, director:
I am always driven by the terror of humiliation.
Eliot Spitzer, former governor of New York:
There is nothing like an incipient deadline and three cups of coffee to get the job done.
Curtis Sittenfeld, author:
Politely saying no can free up astonishing amounts of time. I'm still trying to learn how.
Stars! They're Just as Disorganized as Us! [Slate via Smarterware]
* Just a note: I love you, Slate, but as Danny O'Brien originally coined the term, it's "life hack" (two words) not "lifehack."
Smarterware is Lifehacker editor emeritus Gina Trapani's new home away from 'hacker. To get all of the latest from Smarterware, be sure to subscribe to the Smarterware RSS feed. For more, check out Gina's weekly Smarterware feature here on Lifehacker.