Entrepreneurs rely on various tools and strategies to stay focused and motivated throughout their day and using a productivity hack is a great way to boost performance. Implementing the right hacks can make a huge difference in staying on track and fuelling business growth.
27 Productivity Hacks That Help Entrepreneurs Get More Done in a Day
Digital tools streamline workflows to inspire action and finding the right CEO Hack is key to maximizing your potential as a business leader. We asked entrepreneurs and CEOs to share the hacks that have most helped them succeed—and here are their top insights:
1. Intentional time-blocking for work-life balance
My most effective productivity hack is time blocking with intention. I carefully structure my day to prioritise high value tasks, like working on client projects, leading my team, and supporting my mentees. I AVOID opening up my emails first thing! I start with the most important tasks first, because I know that’s when I’m at my best. Time blocking allows me to be fully present for my clients and my team while also ensuring I carve out time for personal moments with my family. It helps me maintain a healthy work life blend, avoid burnout, and create clarity in my business.
Thanks to Melissa Lunardon
2. “Level 10” framework
Strategic delegation through what I call the “Level 10” framework. I continuously evaluate every task that crosses my desk on a 1-10 scale: “Am I the only person who can do this at a level 10?” If not, I immediately delegate it. Building strong systems, clear process documentation, and a skilled team is essential. The return on investment is outstanding. Focusing on tasks that use my special skills has really improved my effectiveness. My main takeaway was that my job is not to do everything. It's to make sure the right person gets each task done.
Thanks to Dean Rotchin, Blackjet!
3. Two hacks
The single most effective productivity hack I’ve found is ruthless prioritisation combined with time-blocking. Every morning, I identify the 1-2 high-impact tasks that will truly move the business forward – whether it’s investor outreach, strategic planning, or team alignment – and I schedule dedicated, distraction-free time to execute them. I’ve learned that being busy isn’t the same as being productive, and protecting time for deep, focused work has been a game-changer for driving results without burning out.
Thanks to Paul Bevan, Magic Valley!
4. Daily planning with prioritization
One game-changing strategy I’ve embraced is using time-blocking paired with task prioritization. Every evening, I spend 15 minutes organizing the following day by breaking my schedule into dedicated periods for focused work and critical meetings. This method allows me to carve out uninterrupted time for key priorities while staying available for my team. I also apply the “two-minute rule” for quick tasks—if something can be completed in under two minutes, I handle it immediately rather than deferring it.
Thanks to Ace Zhuo, TradingFXVPS!
5. Consistency and early routines
My most effective productivity hack as a CEO is simple but powerful: consistency. I wake up at the same time every day—yes, even on weekends. It sets the tone, clears my mind, and gives me a head start before the world wakes up. Pair that with a structured schedule and a prioritized working list, and I’m able to move through the day with clarity and intention. That early window of quiet productivity is a game-changer.
Thanks to Robin Dimond, Fifth and Cor!
6. Theme-based work plan
The best productivity hack I have implemented is labeling each day of the week with a theme. For example: Monday's theme is strategy and leadership, Tuesday is team and culture. This way I eliminate decision fatigue from my day and keep my energy focused on high-level tasks. Additionally, it allows me to protect my deep work time without having to juggle many things at once. I take it a step further, by creating walking meetings and implementing a 90 minute work sprint rule—which means after 90 minutes I get up, reset, and shift back into work.
Thanks to Chad Walding, NativePath!
7. Making every moment count
The single most important one for me is making every moment count by scheduling it. It's a play on words from the old adage, what gets measured gets done to what gets scheduled gets done. Don't rely on your brain to retain and remember, use scheduling in tools so you can conserve energy for real thinking pieces. Schedule it all – personal and professional stuff in time blocks. Include thinking, reflection and rest time too.
Thanks to Rita Cincotta, The Deliberate Leader!
8. Structuring my work day
Time-blocking is the single most effective productivity move I’ve made. I divide my day into strict, purpose-driven blocks; strategy in the morning, team and meetings mid-day, and admin last. I don’t multitask, and I don’t allow distractions. Notifications stay off. I batch all comms into two windows, which cuts noise and gives me full control of my attention. This structure forces clarity and protects deep work. Most people waste their day reacting. I plan mine with intention. That’s how you stay ahead.
Thanks to Rob Evans, Magnetize!
9. Organizing my day with planning
My best productivity trick is strict time-blocking. I allocate particular blocks of time for concentrated activities. For instance, I spend the first 90 minutes of every morning on big-picture planning so that I can work without interruptions. By organizing my day this way, I can avoid multitasking, and whatever I am doing is what is most important. I also make short breaks in between to recharge and refuel, which keeps me moving throughout the day. This method has greatly enhanced my productivity by keeping me on task and in line with company objectives.
Thanks to M. Kande Hein, Seota!
10. Mental protocol
The most effective productivity shift I’ve made as a founder isn’t a time-saving tool but more of a mental protocol. Each morning, before diving into tasks, I scan for what's emotionally fogging up my decision-making, distil one clear priority that matches with my long-term direction, and then act with intent. It's just a three-minute pause that stops me automatically reacting to whatever immediate noise is in front of me. It helps me work with clarity. While it may not stop all the chaos, it at least helps me get off on the right foot. It’s more often the difference between being busy and being effective.
Thanks to Kyle Kimball, The K Advisory!
11. Values-led prioritization
Ruthless values-led prioritization. As a CEO, I don’t just ask, “What’s urgent?” I ask, “What aligns with the future I’m trying to build?” Profit and purpose aren’t competing forces in my world—they’re co-drivers. Every morning, I identify the three actions that will create the most meaningful impact for both the business and the people it serves. That’s how I avoid the trap of busywork and stay focused on what moves the needle: designing ethical housing, backing inclusive innovation, and building a portfolio and a better future. Productivity isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what matters.
Thanks to Goro Gupta, Ethical Property Investments!
12. Creating task lists
The single biggest hack I have is to sort your emails into lists of things to do at different times of day or in different places. For example I have a “Car Call” list with things to do when I am driving, I have a “on site” list for things to do when onsite etc. By creating these lists I can be super efficient. A small amount of time to allocate the items with mean that come each scenario you find yourself in, you can simply just execute without wasting time making sure you do all the things you needed to do.
Thanks to Dean Salakas, Party Hire Group!
13. Meditation to stay focused
Every morning begins with seated meditation; ten minutes of silence before screens, schedules, or conversations. This trains the mind to stay calm, focused, and less reactive. Afterward, I write down three essential tasks for the day; only three. These aren't busywork; they’re direct actions tied to long-term goals. I don’t multitask or reshuffle the list. Midday, I take a walk without my phone. That movement clears mental fatigue and often sparks solutions I wouldn’t find at a desk. Stillness, focus, and movement; this daily structure helps me work with clarity instead of chaos.”
Thanks to Timothy Burgin, Yoga Basics!
14. Focus on critical work
My favorite productivity tip is establishing strict boundaries around time and energy. I schedule “no-meeting” time during the day, meaning that I can focus on critical work without constant interruptions. For example, I use mornings for meetings and afternoons for concentrated work, so I can make strategic choices without delay. Also, optimizing communication within the team has been essential. By fostering direct, clear conversations, we cut back unnecessary give-and-take and keep our eyes on the prize. This format has served to enable me to cope with the pressures of leadership while remaining true to our objectives.
Thanks to Steven Buchwald, Manhattan Mental Health Counseling!
15. Starting the day with the most challenging task
I start every day by tackling my most challenging task, usually case strategy or motion writing, without distractions. My first 90 minutes are dedicated solely to deep work. I don’t check email or take calls until after that block is complete. The remainder of my day is split into dedicated blocks for court, meetings, and admin, with every task assigned an allocated time. This removes decision fatigue and stops me from constantly switching between tasks, allowing me to accomplish more with less anxiety. If you're drowning, block out uninterrupted time for your most critical work early in the day.
Thanks to Steven Rodemer, Rodemer and Kane!
16. Organizing my work
I divide my day into two-hour windows, each locked to a single, high-impact task; no Slack, no email, no context-switching. One block might be used to dissect customer behavior data, another to pressure-test a new pricing model or draft hiring plans. I protect these blocks like meetings with investors. Most people spend their day reacting; I spend mine executing. This structure forces clarity on what matters and eliminates the friction of deciding what to do next. If your calendar doesn’t reflect your priorities, your output won’t either.
Thanks to Brandon Aversano, Alloy!
17. Batching workdays to sustain creative energy
Batching changed how I work. I assign each day a focus: shooting, editing etc, & stick to it without switching tasks. This keeps my energy aligned with the work. I shoot multiple sessions on the same day, edit in blocks, & plan content for the entire week in one sitting. Voice memos help me delegate fast & clearly without the drain of long emails. Every task lives on my calendar, not a to-do list. If it’s not scheduled, it doesn’t happen. That structure gives me control & creates space to lead without burning out.
Thanks to Renata Lutz, The Portrait Mama!
18. Managing my time effectively
I’ve implemented is time blocking. I set aside specific chunks of my day for certain tasks, whether it’s responding to emails, meeting with clients, or tackling the books and stick to it. This helps me avoid distractions and ensures that I’m not multitasking, which I’ve found can actually slow me down. Since adopting this approach, I’ve increased my daily productivity by about 27%, allowing me to focus on what truly moves the business forward. Time blocking isn’t just about managing time, it’s about taking control of my day and making sure I’m tackling the right tasks at the right time.
Thanks to Jason Rowe, Hello Electrical!
19. Limiting my to-do list
The most effective productivity hack I use is limiting my to-do list to just three tasks per day—no more. I write them down the night before and make sure they’re things that will move the needle, not just keep me busy. I tested this for a full month and tracked my hours. My average work time dropped from 11 hours to 7.5, but output stayed the same. It forced me to cut distractions and stop pretending that multitasking works. On top of that, I batch all communication—Slack, email, messages—into one 45-minute window in the afternoon. That alone reduced context switching and helped me finish tasks 30–40% faster.
Thanks to Burak Özdemir, Morse Code Translator!
20. Daily strategic focus
The most effective way for me to boost productivity is daily strategic focus. Every morning I ask myself: “What are the key tasks I need to focus on today?” And until I complete them, I don’t get distracted by smaller things. It sounds simple, but it really works. The temptation to drown in operations is huge. But if you don’t protect your focus, your day starts with other people’s priorities, not yours. I also plan my week in blocks: strategy separately, meetings separately, and time for myself separately.
Thanks to Alexandr Korshykov, DreamX!
21. Writing a stop doing list
My most effective productivity hack for me is starting each day by writing a ‘Stop Doing' list instead of a to-do list. It sounds counterintuitive, but it is incredibly powerful. I look at me day and identify three things I’m tempted to do, for example micromanaging a task, responding to low-priority emails, or jumping into a meeting that is not necessary and consciously decide not to do them. This daily routine forces me to stay in my lane as a leader, and helps me focus on high-leverage activities, and protect my time from the endless pull of busyness.
Thanks to Shane Sterling, Oxford Magic Tours!
22. Streamlining decision-making
The best productivity trick I've discovered is a streamlining decision-making. By establishing routines & automating tasks, I reduce mental exhaustion from minor decisions. I allocate precise blocks of time for meetings, and high-priority work. I also delegate tasks with trust, enabling my team to take care of responsibilities without micromanaging. This leaves me with time for strategic work and development. Adopting technology that automates processes has streamlined work and saved time.
Thanks to Aspen Noonan, Elevate Holistics!
23. Structuring my day
The single most effective productivity hack I’ve adopted is time-blocking my calendar with ruthless intention. I dedicate specific hours each day to focused work, team meetings, strategic thinking, and even breaks—treating each block like a non-negotiable appointment. This structure helps eliminate decision fatigue, reduces distractions, and ensures that my priorities drive the day—not constant notifications or reactive tasks. It’s not about doing more, but doing what actually moves the business forward.
Thanks to Natalia Szubrycht, KlikLekarz!
24. Making three high-impact decisions daily
I limit myself to making three high-impact decisions each day. That single habit drives my productivity. I define those decisions the night before, block time to execute them, and ignore everything else until they’re complete. This keeps my focus on strategic moves like structuring deals, resolving compliance issues, or hiring key people. I check my email and take meetings only after those priorities are done. The shift removed busywork from my day and trained my team to bring only essential matters to my desk. I gain time by deciding what matters, then executing without distraction.”
Thanks to Brandon Thor, Thor Metals Group!
25. Work without distraction
The single most effective productivity hack, it's a strategy. There's just no substitute for found time and used calmly without any distractions. Exercise, catch up on work, meditate user's choice. Pairs well with going to bed early, and doing both at consistent times, including weekends (though it's ok to give yourself grace from time to time). I view this from my perch as an entrepreneur and CEO for over a dozen years of an executive function coaching organization, where our entire existence revolves around helping clients figure out and develop maintainable strategies for consistent and perpetual success in all aspects of their life.
Thanks to Daniel Koffler, New Frontiers Executive Function Coaching!
26. Doing most important tasks at peak energy level
My approach to staying productive and getting more done is aligning my peak energy levels with the most important tasks of the day. Before you go thinking this is about just prioritizing your tasks when it best suits you, it's actually strategically placing tasks that hold high importance during periods of my day when I am less busy. Times when I know my cognitive load is going to be lower. This helps me to create mental momentum, so there is no stop-and-go in between periods where my workload is drastically different.
Thanks to Jan Brandrup, Neurogan Health!
27. Setting clear boundaries
The most effective productivity hack I’ve embraced as an entrepreneur is setting clear boundaries—and actually respecting them. That means protecting focused work time, saying no to unnecessary meetings, and being honest about what I can realistically take on. When I treat my time and energy with respect, others follow suit. Boundaries aren’t about rigidity—they’re about clarity. They give structure to my day and allow me to show up more present at home and work, intentional, and effective in everything I do.
Thanks to Angela Ficken, Worried to well balanced!
