Shaian Mohammadi is a San Jose attorney who holds a JD from the California Western School of Law (ABA) and is admitted to the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California. Shaian Mohammadi handles wide-ranging issues from civil law to corporate. A second-generation resident of California, Shaian Mohammadi’s parents immigrated from Iran in the 1970s in order to build a better life in America and has first-hand experience of the hard work involved in making the American immigrant experience a success.
While in law school, Shaian Mohammadi earned the Justice Wiley W. Manuel Pro Bono Award for community service. He has a background in technology and finance, and worked as legal counsel for the pre-seed tech company Duel, Inc.
Shaian Mohammadi’s background includes a 2012 role as deputy regional field director with Obama for America. Based in San Francisco, he oversaw the organizing and recruiting of volunteers and managed phone banks across pivotal battleground states. His accomplishments include training volunteers and executing one of the state’s largest Get Out the Vote phone banks.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I try to get the deepest sleep I can and try to wake up naturally before my phone alarm goes off. I start off the day with journaling, catching up on news, checking emails, getting sunlight, exercise, eating a light breakfast, then shower and get ready for the day. I then work through my goals for the day and my to-do list. I usually skip lunch, as I am more productive that way. I continue to work and wrap up my goals for the day, then after that, I will spend time with friends and family and eat a clean dinner. I usually end the day with magnesium and reading with red lights.
How do you bring ideas to life?
You have to work hard and visualize it. Inspiration is an important key.
What’s one trend that excites you?
The ability to affect change in the world through the intersection of technology, policy, and community action. The tools and tech that have evolved to allow more entrepreneurs to take control of their goals.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Having drive and getting through your to-do list.
What advice would you give your younger self?
It’s going to be okay. Keep working hard in what you believe in.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
The dichotomy between traditionalism and disrupting industries. We can embrace ideas of the past to inform us for the future – don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Have clear communication with people. Clear your mind and meditate.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Write things down, meditate, and do things I am passionate about in order to take a break.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Keep yourself accountable for your goals. Schedule yourself more efficiently to make the most use of your day.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I don’t view setbacks in life as failures; I view them as learning lessons and opportunities to grow.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Microsoft Outlook, every Apple native app, and Avid. Outlook and Apple native apps help keep me organized and on top of things.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
Multiple favorite books: Naked Lunch by William S. Burroughs because of its innovative “cut-up” method; House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski because of its outside-the-box thinking and experimentation in literature; The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich, which Aaron Sorkin used to adapt for his film, The Social Network; Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk for its dark lessons; What Matters Most Is How Well You Walk Through the Fire by Charles Bukowski (one of the greatest books of poetry ever written).
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Movie: recently watched the Back to the Future (1985) trilogy again because it’s the best cinematic trilogy in existence. TV: Mr. Robot (2015). As it ages, it becomes more and more of a crystal ball into our society.
Key learnings
- Leverage ideas of the past to inform future innovations, rather than trying to “reinvent the wheel.”
- Drive, accountability, and efficient scheduling are the keys to productivity.
- Visualization and hard work can bring ideas to life when underpinned by inspiration.
- Taking time for passions and wellness activities, such as meditation, helps manage stress and overwhelm.