[ggruschow]

A dozen accomplished people tell what works for them.

If having a life like those folks is what's called "accomplished", I want to be a failure.

To answer the question though, I do my best (most productive & efficient) work when I'm working 6 to 9 hours a day in an office with a few other smart caring coworkers, no travel, a good amount of sleep, and doing nearly no email / IM / etc.

My best ideas come from the shower and sleep.

I think the number of people I have a discussion with in a day has an odd relationship with the quality of my work. The peak is somewhere between 2 and 9. I think that's even true when I'm managing large numbers of people.