Productivity Tricks from the Stars

In their new-to-me “Lifehacking”* section, Slate asks a few celebrities what kind of tricks they use to get things done. Here are my favorite responses.

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]

* Just a note: I love you, Slate, but as Danny O’Brien originally coined the term, it’s “life hack” (two words) not “lifehack.”