Kevin O’Leary, the well-known star of “Shark Tank,” has garnered insights from interacting with top CEOs and global leaders. Among the most significant lessons he learned came from the legendary Steve Jobs. O’Leary shared with Business Insider that a productivity technique from Jobs has become a crucial part of his daily routine.
Steve Jobs’ Secret Productivity Hack
O’Leary recalls adopting this method while working with Jobs during the mid-1990s. At the time, O’Leary was involved in educational software at The Learning Company, collaborating with Apple to integrate the Mac into schools.
The Three Tasks Approach
According to O’Leary, Jobs emphasized the importance of completing three specific tasks each day. He explained, “You need a ratio of at least 70% signal—the three things—and 30% noise, which are distractions.” This approach encourages focusing on key priorities while disregarding less important tasks.
- O’Leary identifies three goals each morning.
- He commits to not letting distractions interfere until these tasks are accomplished.
- Exercise is one of his daily priorities, typically starting his day with a workout at 5 a.m.
- He bikes approximately 12 miles during his exercise routine.
Managing Distractions
O’Leary faces challenges with distractions, particularly his overwhelming email volume. He receives between 2,000 to 4,000 emails daily, leading him to abandon traditional email management. “I’ve tried every system to filter out the noise, but my email has become a constant stream of disturbances,” he noted.
In his role as an entrepreneur and investor, O’Leary maintains that it is essential to concentrate on personal goals and ignore the noise. “In my field, there are no holidays or defined workdays,” he remarked. “It’s all about how you choose to use your time.”
