10 best productivity hacks shared by famous people

There isn’t one fixed formula for increasing productivity. You can try out various methods or a combination of them to find out the one that works for you the best.

In the last blog, we talked about how through Level Supermind, you can get a kick start to increasing your productivity through a set of meditations, sleep stories, workouts and journals.

(You can access the app from here- Level Supermind. Also, head over to the profile section in the app, invite 10 of your friends and get the premium version worth 5 days free for every friend who joins Level.)

If you’re wondering how to be more productive, then, today we are here with some examples of famous people along with their productivity hacks who’ve stayed on the top of tasks and how it served as an important factor in their success.

10 brilliant minds on how to increase productivity

Elon Musk: Time blocking

Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, uses the time blocking method to boost his productivity. With this method, you schedule every task in advance, including breaks, and divide your day into specific chunks, often 5 minutes. By doing so, you may cut down on distractions and make the most of your time.

By using time blocking, you can prioritise your tasks and make sure you are using your time efficiently. This method helps in giving your day some structure and discipline, which can boost your productivity in general. It's important to write down your daily responsibilities and allot time slots for each one before attempting to use time blocking. This will guarantee that you are using your time wisely.

Barack Obama: Exercise

Another tip for boosting productivity is exercise. This is so that exercise can help to increase energy and clear the mind. In order to approach the duties of the day with greater attention and effectiveness, former US President Barack Obama works out first thing in the morning.

Due to its potential to enhance both physical and mental health, exercise is a great approach to boost productivity. Exercise causes the release of endorphins, which act as the body's own natural painkillers and mood enhancers. You may become more alert, motivated, and effective as a result. Make sure to include exercise in your daily routine to enhance productivity, such as by going for a morning run or heading to the gym.

Sheryl Sandberg: Priortizing tasks

Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook's COO, uses the "Two-Minute Rule" as a productivity tool. The rule indicates that if a task can be completed in less than two minutes, it should be completed right away. This helps you to do simple activities quickly and clears your mind so you can concentrate on more crucial ones.

You may make sure you are concentrating on the most important things first and avoiding distractions from less important jobs by setting priorities for your tasks. With this, you can keep yourself organised and concentrated on what matters most. Make a list of your daily responsibilities and prioritise them according to their importance. As you work through the list, start with the top priorities and work your way down as you finish each one. You'll be more productive as a result and get more done in less time.

Benjamin Franklin: Morning Routine

Benjamin Franklin, a key figure in the establishment of the United States, firmly believed in the benefits of having a set morning routine. To ensure optimal productivity, he would get up early and start his day with self-care practices like meditation and exercise. Franklin also strongly believed in the value of planning. He would study his schedule and make a plan for the day in the morning. This helped him stay organised, set priorities for his work, and utilise his time effectively as a result.

He was aware that a focused and enthusiastic morning set the stage for a successful day to come. He was able to prioritise his duties, stay organised, and make effective use of his time by following this consistently.

Steve Jobs: Simplifying

Steve Jobs was a visionary leader who transformed the technology sector with his innovative and simple approach to design. He was a firm supporter of the value of simplification and how it could increase effectiveness and productivity. Jobs believed in streamlining processes and removing waste in addition to simplifying products. He encouraged his colleagues to focus on what was important and to get rid of anything that was hindering the achievement of the goal.

Jobs' emphasis on simplification went beyond the office. He practised simplicity, surrounded himself with only what was essential and significant. He was able to accomplish more with less time and effort and to concentrate on what was really important.

Bill Gates: Note taking

Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, is well known for his successful career and innovative thinking. One of the key habits that he attributes to his success is note-taking. He affirms that note taking helps you capture your ideas, organize your thoughts, and prioritize your tasks. He believes that taking notes is essential for staying on top of your workload and staying organized in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

By writing down your ideas, you can reflect on them, consider their feasibility, and develop a plan for how to pursue them. You can also use your notes to keep track of your tasks and prioritize them based on their importance

Mark Zuckerberg: Deep work

The founder and CEO of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, is renowned for his extraordinary productivity and ability to do a significant amount of work in a brief period of time. This is due in part to his adherence to the principles of "deep work."

Deep work is a philosophy that emphasizes the importance of uninterrupted, focused attention to a specific task in order to achieve maximum results. This approach allows Zuckerberg to avoid the common problems of multitasking and finish significant projects more quickly and effectively. When you adopt this hack, you can accomplish more and move forward faster when you give a task your complete attention as opposed to continuously changing your focus.

Jerry Seinfeld: Never break the chain

The well-known American comedian, writer, and actor Jerry Seinfeld is another addition to productivity hacks. The "Seinfeld Method" is a comprehensive productivity strategy that bears his name. It claims that the secret to improvement is repetition. Seinfeld established a calendar and marked each day that he penned a new joke to use this technique. He thought that maintaining a daily habit of writing was the key to success. Over time, he created a chain of days that eventually served as motivation in and of itself.

To answer your question regarding how to be more productive, the Seinfeld Method is a quick and efficient method for learning a new habit or skill. It entails setting aside time each day to complete a particular task and noting it on a calendar. The calendar eventually offers a visual picture of the advancement made, which can serve as inspiration and motivation.

Charles Dickens: Walks in the nature

Long walks in nature are one of the most underrated productivity hacks because they have been amongst the list of favourites of many famous creative people, including the iconic Charles Dickens. He was well known for enjoying long walks and would frequently cover up to 20 miles a day.

Dickens understood the advantages of walking as a crucial element of his creative process and a helpful productivity hack, in addition to being beneficial for his health. He would go for daily walks to observe the surroundings and get ideas for his novels. You may simply implement this easy practice of going for daily walks into your personal schedule to give yourself the chance to explore the world and discover fresh inspiration.

Jack Ma: Getting used to rejection

As part of his productivity tip, Jack Ma, the creator of the massive worldwide e-commerce company Alibaba, stressed the importance of getting used to rejection. In fact, he was quoted as saying that he had experienced at least 30 job rejections in his lifetime. But each rejection in Ma's case served as a stepping stone on the way to achieving his goal of realizing his vision for Alibaba.

His story serves as a potent wake-up call to young people everywhere, showing them that setbacks are not the end of the road, but rather an opportunity to learn, develop and increase your productivity eventually. Even the most overwhelming challenges can be conquered with endurance and determination.

Final thoughts

No matter whether you want to improve your productivity or build a new habit altogether, you can try implementing these productivity hacks and find out the combination that suits you the best. But keep in mind that you can’t be productive overnight. Keep adding changes to your life every single day and eventually, your productivity levels will soar.