Oliver Twizell, S2M Business Development Director and China Proofreader Co-founder, shows us how to work through the pain

Morning Routine
6:30am
I start my day by turning on my computer and working on some Chinese courses I have uploaded. My new intensive course starts in September so I have to make sure I get myself back up to scratch. Getting to a decent standard is my main goal for the year.

7:45
My housemate’s alarm next door is my cue to check my work and personal emails. I don’t reply to any straightaway. I find it is best to keep mulling over them in the back of my mind before I respond.

8:00
I go downstairs for some toast topped with Amelia’s jam (a friend of mine has started making jams in Shanghai) and listen to my podcasts of the Today Programme. This is my little bit of England that I can enjoy before starting the day.

10:30
I jump in the shower and then get ready for the day ahead.

9:00
Before I go, I reply to my personal emails to get them out the way before getting on with real work.

9:30
I get my (look-alike) Racing Red Vesper scooter out of the backyard and head out for work at the other end of Puxi on Suzhou Creek. My scooter, aka “Priscilla, the fiery red-head,” is electric. She’s so environmentally friendly and saves me an hour a day from my commute as well as a fortune on taxi, Metro and bus fares–not to mention, she is so much fun to drive.

In the Office
10:15
The office is a refurbished top floor of an old warehouse–a great environment to work in. With my window view of the Pearl Tower, Jinmao Building and SWFC, I am constantly reminded of this fantastic city I work and live in.

10:20
Settle in with my cup of water and get to work on all my S2M emails. We’re a China-focused sports and lifestyle marketing company and are working on the new Shanghai Rugby Sevens tournament taking place Sept. 12-13, so it’s all hands on deck. Sanctioned by the International Rugby Board with 12 international teams coming from around Asia, it promises to be like no other rugby tournament on the Chinese Mainland (and there have actually been a few before).

Desk Lunch
1:00pm
Order lunch from the local slop shop, beef and potato noodles— cheap and cheerful. I eat lunch in front of the computer. I need to get back into the habit of leaving the office for lunch.

Back to Work
1:45
I start work on my own new business, China Proofreader, which will launch this month. We provide English proofreading services to companies. I confirm with my business partner our pricing strategy and expand our ideas about the website.

3:00
I have a Rugby Sevens meeting. Sponsorship is great and table sales for the Long Lunch are also selling well, which is very encouraging. With the ex-All Black legend John Kirwan speaking, people are in for a treat. All is on track but we still have another month before the event. It never ends!

"Rugby is one of the main reasons I’m still out here. I love getting out on the paddock with the boys"

4:00
Back to China Proofreader. Working part time for S2M has given me the opportunity to fulfill my ambition of starting up my own company. Before I started the company, a close friend told me to take my most accurate timeline and budget, then double them both. Very wise advice. 6:00 I jump back on Priscilla and head back home.

Skype Date
6:45
I warm up some homemade fish pie my housemate kindly offered me and get on Skype to speak to my girlfriend in the UK. Long distance relationships are very tough, but we are talking about her moving out here next year.

7:30
I could chat all night, but have to head off for rugby training. We, Shanghai Hairy Crabs have to get back into shape after our summer, and training has begun in earnest for the amateur tournament. We now boast two squads, the Crabs, who are current holders of the coveted Yellow Sea Cup, and the Hermit Crabs, who are current holders of the Shanghai Bei, a league I helped set up two years ago to get more games for all the teams in Shanghai. Rugby is one of the main reasons I’m still out here. I have been playing since I was kid, and I love getting on the paddock with the boys whether it’s training or playing.

Rugby
8:00
PAIN!!!

Home
8:30
Get back home, put Priscilla to bed and grab a quick shower.

10:50
Start reading my new book, The Man Who Loved China by Simon Winchester. Recommendations for the book are high and I find it hard to put down, but sheer exhaustion from the day means I have to give in and get some rest.

11:30
Lights out.

What we think...
Oliver completely sold us on his electric scooter. It saves money and helps the environment, what more does one need to feel good? Exercise? Er, no, we weren't quite sold on that bit, what with the one word and three exclamation point description: "PAIN!!!" Tell Oliver what you think of his day.