The average person tends to organize their day into long blocks: 2 to 3 hours. What about Ultra-productive people? They break it down to the minute. By focusing on each minute as a precious resource, they avoid the all-too-common trap of “wasted time” as a Michigan sales development training professional can share that has been part of our company since its founding in 2015:
I use to block two hours to work on a project or to do outbound calls. Kruse’s research is accurate. I now schedule 45-minute blocks of time. I call that the power time. If I am making outbound calls, I have my brain set to my prospecting process. I am ready to focus on one task. My headset is on. Email is off.
My experience is that I can focus for 45 minutes on just about any heads down type of work. Even a workout! Experiment yourself. Start with 30 minutes.
Don’t make the same mistake I did. For me, in two hours I got lost and distracted. My productivity soared with the 45 minutes of power time. Outbound calls or writing - I could dial in my energy to get the results I needed.
Kevin Kruse interviewed over 200 ultra-successful people, including 7 billionaires, 13 Olympians, and a host of accomplished entrepreneurs. Here are some other ways highly productive people differ from the rest of us with their actions:
They Focus On One Thing At A Time
Ultra-successful individuals know their Most Important Task (MIT) and dedicate the first hours of their day to it, without interruptions. Rather than juggling a dozen tasks, they zero in on the one task that will have the biggest impact on their goals. If you’re aiming for a promotion or closing a big deal, make it the focal point of your morning.
They Schedule, Don’t List
To-do lists are popular, but they’re not always effective. Kruse found that only 41% of items on to-do lists get done. The successful don’t make lists; they block time in their calendars. It’s not enough to know what you need to do; you need to decide when you’re going to do it.
They Leverage The 80/20 Rule
The Pareto Principle suggests that 80% of results come from 20% of efforts. Ultra-successful people know which tasks drive the greatest results and focus on those. If a task isn’t part of that critical 20%, it’s probably not worth your time.
They Practice A Morning Routine
Routines vary, but a consistent morning ritual can set the tone for a productive day. Many successful people hydrate, exercise, and nourish their minds through meditation or reading before diving into work. My advice is to avoid technology for at least an hour. Don’t scroll. Don’t fire up email. Read. Exercise. Start early. Take advantage of the quiet time.
They Manage Energy, Not Just Time
You may have 1,440 minutes in a day, but without energy, those minutes mean nothing. Ultra-productive people eat well, sleep well, and take breaks to recharge. They know that burning out serves no one and that sustained productivity requires a healthy balance of work and rest.
If you’re serious about improving your effectiveness and productivity, start by integrating just one of these strategies into your day. Focus on what matters, protect your time, and always be mindful of your energy. Remember, productivity isn’t about doing more; it’s about achieving more by doing less. Especially in sales! It is about closing business and results. If your team needs help with their strategy to make sales and be productive, contact Helix Sales Development to try our top-rated assessment tool that helps teams like yours accelerate their sales program.
