Mastering the Art of Productivity: A Day in the Life of Nolan Browne

In the interview, Nolan shared valuable insights on his daily routine for achieving productivity and his strategies for successful business management. Feeling inspired, I've chosen to repost the interview as a reminder to myself and, I hope, to all my dear friends that great accomplishments are within reach when one combines unwavering honesty with dedicated hard work.

Here are excerpts from his interview.

Nolan Browne, then a 39-year-old gallery director at Taschen in the upscale heart of London's Mayfair, led a life that revolved around the elegant world of luxury art publishing. His days were meticulously structured, designed to maximize productivity while maintaining his connection to the art and culture that surrounded him.

The morning sun had yet to cast its golden rays over the city when Nolan Browne's day began. It wasn't unusual for him to stir from slumber at the ungodly hour of 4 am. Rising with the dawn, Nolan would immerse himself in books.

As the clock neared 9 am, Nolan embarked on a brisk walk to his workplace. It was a ritual that allowed him to clear his mind, a precious time for contemplation about the day ahead, the week that lay before him, or even moments from the week gone by. He found solace in the entrepreneur podcast "How I Built This" by Guy Raz, a source of boundless inspiration.

By 10 am, Nolan was settled into his office, surrounded by books. Books of all kinds, from GQ to Vanity Fair, the Financial Times, The Times, and even the Mayfair Times when it made its rare appearance. He was also a constant visitor to Artnet and the Art Newspaper, keeping his finger firmly on the pulse of the art world.

Handling business contacts was an art in itself, and Nolan had his own golden rule - photograph every business card he received. This simple practice had saved him numerous times, particularly in the hustle and bustle of art fairs. It was a small but effective habit that paid dividends.

Lunchtime was a brief interlude, a mere 15 minutes. Nolan's job was about being present, and in Mayfair, opportunities could walk through the door at any moment. The allure of luxury retail lay in its unpredictability, and he relished the prospect of the unexpected.

By 2 pm, Nolan's desk was adorned with a fountain pen, a symbol of his commitment to what he called "HPs" - high potentials. He delved into the Financial Times, seeking out profiles of prominent collectors. Armed with their details, he would craft handwritten letters, a personal touch that set him apart in the digital age.

As the clock struck 4 pm, Nolan turned his attention to the art of follow-up. It was a practice he believed many in the sales profession neglected. His iPhone Notes were a repository of live deals and interests, complete with the dates of initial contact. Nolan was diligent in his follow-ups, ensuring no opportunity slipped through the cracks.

Evenings were a continuation of his work, often extending well past the closing time of the gallery at 7 pm. Work engagements frequently kept him occupied until 9 pm. As a member of Soho House, Nolan found it to be the ideal venue for meetings with his finance clients, a place where exclusivity was the norm.

Finally, as the day drew to a close, Nolan adhered to a rule he held dear - his phone had no place in his bedroom. Instead, he retired to a sanctuary free from digital distractions, where a purposefully simplistic TV deterred him from falling into the rabbit hole of endless streaming.

His life is governed by art, culture, and a routine that is both disciplined and inspired, a testament to his commitment to his craft in the heart of Mayfair.