We all know someone who always seems to get things done. They’re always ahead of the game, never miss a deadline, and somehow manage to maintain a social life and a sense of humor. What’s their secret? It turns out, there are quite a few things that productive people do differently than the rest of us. Here are 15 surprising secrets of productive people.

Secret #1: They focus on minutes, not hours

The most productive people know that it’s not about working long hours—it’s about working smart. They focus on getting as much done as possible in the time they have, rather than trying to stretch their work out for as long as possible. This means that they’re constantly looking for ways to work more efficiently and eliminate wasted time.

Secret #2: They focus only on one thing

Multi-tasking is a myth—the human brain is simply not designed to do more than one thing at a time. Productive people know this, and they focus their attention on one task at a time instead of trying to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously. This allows them to give each task their full attention, which leads to better results overall.

Secret #3: They don’t use to-do lists

To-do lists seem like they should be helpful, but in reality, they often just end up being a source of stress. That’s because they’re usually long, overwhelming, and full of tasks that we don’t really want to do. Productive people know this, so instead of relying on a to-do list, they keep their tasks organized in their head (or in a simple notebook). This way, they can prioritize what’s truly important and avoid getting bogged down by unimportant details.

Secret #4: They beat procrastination with time travel

Procrastination is the enemy of productivity, but it can be hard to avoid when we’re faced with an unpleasant or challenging task. That’s where «time travel» comes in—productive people use this technique to beat procrastination by imagining themselves in the future after they’ve completed the task at hand. This allows them to visualize the positive consequences of completing the task and motivates them to get started right away.

Secret #5: They make it home for dinner

Productive people know that taking care of their personal life is just as important as taking care of their professional life—if not more so. That’s why they make it a priority to go home for dinner with their family or roommates every night. This helps them stay connected with the important people in their lives and recharge for the next day ahead.

Secret #6: They use a notebook

Productive people know that carrying a notebook with them everywhere they go is one of the best ways to capture ideas, whether it’s for work, a side project, or their personal life. This way, they never have to worry about forgetting an important idea—they can just jot it down in their notebook and come back to it later.

Secret #7: They process email only a few times a day

Email can be a huge time-suck, but productive people know how to manage it effectively. They process email only a few times a day—typically in the morning, afternoon, and evening—and they make sure to deal with each message promptly. This helps them avoid getting caught up in their inbox and keeps them from wasting time on irrelevant emails.

Secret #8: They avoid meetings at all costs

Meetings are notorious time-wasters, and productive people do their best to avoid them. If they absolutely have to attend a meeting, they make sure it’s concise and to the point. They also make sure that there’s a specific purpose for the meeting and that it’s truly necessary—if not, they’ll try to resolve the issue without a meeting.

Secret #9: They say “no” to almost everything

Productive people know that they can’t do everything, so they’ve learned to say «no» to almost everything. This allows them to focus on the things that are truly important and avoid getting bogged down by unimportant tasks. It’s not always easy to say «no,» but it’s a necessary skill if you want to be productive.

Secret #10: They follow the 80/20 rule

The 80/20 rule is a principle that states that 80% of the results come from 20% of the effort.Productive people use this rule to prioritize their tasks and focus on the things that will have the biggest impact. This helps them avoid getting bogged down by unimportant details and allows them to focus on the things that truly matter.

Secret #11: They delegate almost everything

Productive people know that they can’t do everything themselves, so they delegate almost everything. This allows them to focus on their strengths and avoid getting bogged down by tasks that they’re not good at. It’s not always easy to delegate, but it’s a necessary skill if you want to be productive.

Secret #12: They theme days of the week

Productive people use «theme days» to maximize their productivity. For example, they may dedicate Mondays to admin work, Tuesdays to writing, Wednesdays to meeting clients, and so on. This helps them focus on specific tasks each day and avoid getting bogged down by a never-ending to-do list.

Secret #13: They touch things only once

Productive people have a rule: they touch things only once. This means that when they receive an email, they deal with it promptly. If it’s something that can be dealt with in a few minutes, they’ll do it right then and there. If it’s something that will take longer, they’ll add it to their to-do list and deal with it later. This helps them avoid getting bogged down by their inbox and ensures that they’re dealing with their tasks in a timely manner.

Secret #14: They practice a consistent morning routine

Productive people know that a consistent morning routine is essential to starting the day off right. They typically wake up at the same time each day, eat a healthy breakfast, and do some form of exercise. This helps them get their day off to a good start and sets the tone for the rest of the day.

Secret #15: Energy is everything

Productive people know that energy is everything. They make sure to get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly. This helps them maintain their energy levels and avoid burnout.

These are just a few of the secrets of productive people. If you want to be more productive, try implementing some of these secrets into your own life. Remember, it’s not about working harder—it’s about working smarter. And with a little bit of effort, you can definitely achieve more in less time.

Conclusion

There you have it—15 surprising secrets of productive people! If you’re looking to be more productive in your own life, try incorporating some of these tips into your daily routine and see how it goes!