Articles by: Hanna Brooks Olsen

[caption id="attachment_8453" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Oatsy40 via Flickr[/caption] The 40-hour workweek? In the United States, it's a myth.

[caption id="attachment_8445" align="alignnone" width="620"] Photo: Sjors van Berkel[/caption] When Pixar's Story Artist Emma Coats tweeted a list of the studio's rules for storytelling back in 2011, creative professionals from all disciplines latched on to them, because they apply to so many of things we try to do. Which could be chalked up to the fact that most creative pursuits share similar themes — or because, for many of us, because storytelling is a crucial part of our work, regardless of what kind of work we do.

Contrary to what the internet might have you believe, taking pictures of cats is not a new obsession. Since the dawn of photography, people with cameras have been aiming them at their pets who, though not always the most willing subjects, are usually the most handy.

[caption id="attachment_8412" align="alignnone" width="620"] Image by kris krüg via Flickr. [/caption] 2011 MacArthur Fellow Jad Abumrad, who most public radio-lovers know as the co-founder and co-host of WYNC's extremely popular, award-winning program, Radiolab, got his start in musical composition, and helped define the non-traditional, audio-rich sound of the show, which has now been on the air in some form for over a decade.

[caption id="attachment_8330" align="alignnone" width="640"] Image: Library of Virginia[/caption] In a Medium piece about how to be polite, writer Paul Ford says that one of the best tricks for fighting awkward conversations at parties is to wait as long as possible to ask someone what they do for work. Then, when the conversation lulls, you have the perfect question — and, regardless of what they do, the perfect response.

[caption id="attachment_8123" align="alignnone" width="620"] Image: Trophygeek via Flickr[/caption] Employers bent on bringing out the best in their employees have tried everything from Beer Fridays to big design overhauls in an attempt to get their workers to be both more productive and more creative. But how you like your workspace — whether you're a tidy person or, well, a little more chaotic — can do more to reflect the kind of working conditions you need, and the kinds of work you may be best suited for, than any design-y furniture or splashy graphics on the walls.

[caption id="attachment_8224" align="alignnone" width="640"] Photo: 55Laney69 via Flickr[/caption] Any freelancer who's ever posted up at a local cafe to get some work done can confirm what science has theorized, which is that the soothing hum of a bustling coffee shop can spur productivity and creative thinking. But should you swap your latte for an herbal tea or smoothie?