5 Productivity Hacks That Ultra-Successful People Swear By

The Secret to Doing More with Less

Why do some people achieve extraordinary results while others struggle to complete a simple to do list? The answer often lies in how they manage their time, energy, and attention. Ultra successful individuals are not superhuman, but they are strategic. They follow consistent habits that multiply their efficiency without burning them out.

If you have ever felt like 24 hours are not enough, this post is for you. We will explore five productivity hacks that world class performers use to stay ahead. These are not gimmicks. They are real strategies backed by research and practiced by leaders, entrepreneurs, and top tier professionals around the world.

You might also want to read our popular post, 10 Ways to Save Money Without Sacrificing Your Lifestyle, which shares similar principles for optimizing your life without compromising your values. Just like with money, success in productivity comes from intentional, daily choices.

Let us dive in.

1. Start the Day with a Single Priority

The most successful people in the world do not start their day by reacting to emails or scrolling through news feeds. They begin with one clear intention: a single task that matters the most. This is often called the “one big thing” strategy.

According to a study by the University of California, switching between tasks can reduce productivity by up to 40 percent. The human brain is not designed for multitasking. When you start your day by focusing on one high value activity, you build momentum that carries through the rest of your schedule.

How to implement this:

• Before going to bed, write down one thing you must accomplish the next day

• Block the first 90 minutes of your morning to work on this task without interruptions

• Turn off all notifications during this period

This habit not only increases your effectiveness but also reduces decision fatigue and stress.

Action tip: Use a physical notebook or digital task manager like Todoist or Notion to track your daily priorities.

2. Use Time Blocking Like a CEO

Elon Musk, Bill Gates, and Cal Newport all swear by time blocking. It is the practice of dividing your day into dedicated chunks of time for specific activities. Instead of reacting to your calendar, you proactively design your ideal day.

The American Psychological Association found that the average employee spends over 28 percent of their workweek on unnecessary interruptions. Time blocking protects your attention from these distractions and ensures deep, focused work gets done.

Time blocking structure:

• 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM: Deep work on critical task

• 9:30 AM – 10:00 AM: Email check and follow ups

• 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Client calls and collaboration

• 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM: Lunch and walk

• 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Creative work or problem solving

• 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Meetings or admin work

• 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Review, plan next day, shutdown routine

Why it works:

• Reduces context switching

• Boosts task clarity

• Encourages accountability

If you are a parent, a business owner, or someone managing multiple roles, time blocking is a sanity saver. Even blocking “family time” or “exercise” ensures your personal life does not get squeezed out by work.

3. Follow the 80/20 Rule Relentlessly

The Pareto Principle, or 80/20 Rule, states that 80 percent of your results come from 20 percent of your efforts. Ultra successful people identify which tasks generate the highest impact and double down on them.

For example:

• 20 percent of your clients may produce 80 percent of your income

• 20 percent of your habits may lead to 80 percent of your success

• 20 percent of your meetings may generate 80 percent of decisions

Once you understand which tasks are your top 20 percent, everything else becomes secondary. You can delegate, automate, or eliminate them entirely.

Productivity audit exercise:

1. List all your recurring weekly tasks

2. Rank them by value created or outcome achieved

3. Highlight the top 20 percent and protect time for them

4. Identify low value tasks and find ways to reduce them

You can also apply the 80/20 rule to personal life. Focus on relationships that bring joy, activities that energize you, and habits that compound results.

4. Embrace “Strategic Rest” Instead of Endless Hustle

Working longer hours does not mean you are more productive. In fact, research from Stanford University shows that productivity drops sharply after 50 hours a week, and even more drastically beyond 60 hours.

High performers schedule rest as a strategy, not a reward. They understand that their brain and body need downtime to refuel creativity, focus, and emotional resilience.

Here is what strategic rest looks like:

• Micro breaks: 5 minute pauses every hour

• Power naps: 10 to 20 minutes during afternoon slump

• Exercise: Walks, yoga, or gym sessions that recharge energy

• Digital detox: At least one screen free hour before bed

• Sleep: 7 to 9 hours per night is non negotiable

Do not wait for burnout to rest. Build rest into your schedule like you would any critical meeting.

If you found value in our money saving tips article, you already know that saving energy is as vital as saving money. Rest is the ultimate return on investment for your productivity.

5. Use the Two Minute Rule to Beat Procrastination

Ultra successful people do not let small tasks pile up. They deal with them immediately using the Two Minute Rule, popularized by productivity expert David Allen. It states:

“If a task takes less than two minutes, do it immediately.”

Why it works:

• Prevents mental clutter

• Keeps your inbox and task list manageable

• Builds a sense of momentum

Examples:

• Replying to a quick email

• Scheduling a meeting

• Filing a document

• Sending a reminder

• Setting a calendar alert

Completing micro tasks quickly clears your cognitive load and creates mental space for deeper work. Combine this with batching similar small tasks together to save even more time.

Final Thoughts: Success Is Built on Small Daily Wins

There is no magic button for success. But there are smart systems. Ultra successful people are not necessarily smarter or more talented than everyone else. What they do differently is follow powerful habits consistently.

To recap, here are the five productivity hacks you can start applying today:

1. Begin each day with one clear priority

2. Block your time intentionally for focused work

3. Identify the 20 percent of tasks that drive 80 percent of results

4. Schedule rest as a productivity tool

5. Handle two minute tasks immediately

These strategies are not just about getting more done, they are about getting the right things done. They help you reclaim your time, lower stress, and move closer to your personal and professional goals.

Remember, just like our guide on saving money without sacrificing your lifestyle, success lies in making better decisions every single day. Apply these productivity principles, and you will start to see meaningful changes in your results and peace of mind.

If this post helped you, share it with a friend or colleague who needs a productivity boost. Leave a comment below with your favorite hack or one you plan to try this week. Want more tips like this delivered to your inbox? Subscribe to our newsletter and join our growing community of high performers.

Don’t stop there – you can significantly boost your financial and productivity skills by picking up a relevant book to read. It’s not too late to start learning!

Few books I recommend reading:

The Psychology of Money: Timeless lessons on wealth, greed, and happiness :  click here and check it out on Amazon

Think and Grow Rich: The Landmark Bestseller Now Revised and Updated for the 21st Century : click here and check it out on Amazon

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People : click here to place an order from Amazon : click here and check it out on Amazon

Feel-Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters to You: click here and check it out on Amazon

Think Like a Monk: click here and check it out in Amazon