From 5 to 50: Three Tremendous Productivity Hacks to Multiply Your Output

Hello, Tremendous Tribe!

As many of you know,  Elon Musk, has championed a policy requiring all federal employees to submit a list of five tasks they accomplished the previous week. This initiative aims to enhance governmental efficiencies, verify spending, and reduce fraud, waste, and abuse.

When I heard about this, I couldn't help but smile. I thought to myself, Imagine if someone asked my Tremendous Tribe that? You'd probably respond with, "Five things I did last week? How about five things I did this morning?"

That's because you all are driven, accountable, serving, giving, and living leaders of all ages and on all stages. But even the most driven among us can experience productivity malfunctions. So, here are three tremendous productivity hacks to help you multiply your "got 'er done" weekly list from 5 to 50!

1. The Hourglass Technique

I recently interviewed fellow coach and leader Bob Dixon on my Leaders on Leadership podcast. He mentioned using a one-hour timer to help him stay focused on the task at hand. That got me thinking. Like many of you, I multitask too much and have a touch of ADD, which means my brain is always clicking and interacting. So, I knew I couldn't use a timer on my phone because even looking at that portal to bright, shiny objects is a distraction.

Instead, I got an old-school one-hour hourglass with purple sand! Like the soap opera's opening line, "Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives." And let me tell you—it has been tremendous! I leave my phone in another room, close all tabs on my computer, and work for one hour straight. I can see the little glistening sand pieces falling down, and my thoughts cascade onto the paper or keyboard.

This technique forces deep focus and minimizes distractions. If an hour feels too long, start with 25-minute sprints (the Pomodoro Technique). The key is creating a visual, non-digital cue that signals you to stay focused on the task at hand.

2. The Ivy Lee Method

Ivy Lee was a legendary productivity consultant credited with transforming business efficiency. In the early 1900s, Charles M. Schwab, the president of Bethlehem Steel Corporation, sought Lee's advice on improving his team's performance. Lee provided him with a deceptively simple but profoundly effective time management method. Here's how it works:

1. At the end of each workday, write down the six most important tasks you need to accomplish the next day-no more than six.
2. Prioritize those six items in order of their true importance.
3. The next day, concentrate only on the first task. Work until the first task is finished before moving on to the second.
4. Approach the rest of your list in the same fashion. At the end of the day, move any unfinished items to a new list of six tasks for the following day.
5. Repeat this process every working day.

Lee famously refused payment upfront, telling Schwab to try the system for three months and then pay whatever he thought it was worth. Schwab was so impressed by the results that he sent Lee a check for $25,000—equivalent to nearly $500,000 today!

This method works because it eliminates decision fatigue, keeps you focused on priorities, and prevents you from getting bogged down in minor tasks. Instead of feeling overwhelmed, you end each day with a clear action plan.

3. Emulate Benjamin Franklin's Schedule

Benjamin Franklin was one of the most productive people in history—not just as a Founding Father but as an inventor, writer, scientist, and diplomat. His secret? A rigid yet balanced daily schedule that accounted for every hour of his day. Here's a glimpse into his legendary routine:

• Morning Reflection (5 AM - 8 AM): Plan the day ahead, review goals, and set intentions.
• Work and Problem-Solving (8 AM - 12 PM): Focused, uninterrupted work on major tasks.
• Lunch & Learning (12 PM - 2 PM): Eat, read, or engage in stimulating conversation.
• Afternoon Productivity (2 PM - 6 PM): Complete the remaining key tasks for the day.
• Evening Wind-Down (6 PM - 10 PM): Reflect on accomplishments, relax, and enjoy social or personal time.
• Rest (10 PM - 5 AM): Adequate sleep to recharge for another day of greatness.

Franklin's brilliance wasn't just in his intellectual pursuits but in his discipline. He even scheduled time for rest and leisure, proving that high performance doesn't mean overworking yourself but being intentional with your time.

Try structuring your day with dedicated work, reflection, and rest blocks. Track your time, like billable hours, and hold yourself accountable, just as Franklin did. By simply planning and measuring your time, you'll uncover hidden hours of untapped productivity.

Conclusion

These productivity hacks—the Hourglass Technique, the Ivy Lee Method, and Benjamin Franklin's disciplined scheduling—offer powerful ways to reclaim your time and maximize output. Productivity isn't about doing more random tasks; it's about focusing on what truly matters and making every moment count.

So, if someone asked you for five things you accomplished last week, don't be surprised if your list is closer to fifty. Because Tremendous Leaders don't just stay busy—they stay productive!

Go forth and be tremendous!

What are your favorite productivity hacks? Please share them in the comments below. I'd love to hear how you make the most of your time!