3 CEO-Inspired Techniques to Boost Weekly Productivity 

Jason Fried, CEO of Basecamp, is known to have emphasized the power of saying ‘no.’ He remarked that no productivity hack comes close to having fewer things to do each day. So basically, less is more, right? 

Well, those sitting at the top of companies tend to use certain productivity strategies they swear by. If you notice closely, you’d observe that it's these strategies that help them focus, not on doing more, but on what matters most. 

The good news is that you can also borrow CEO techniques to step up your productivity game. Incorporate them into your weekly routine to bridge the gap between long-term goals and daily actions. 

So, say goodbye to mere busyness and enjoy true productivity each week with the three strategies shared in this article. They will help you work with greater clarity and maximize output without burning out. 

Start Your Week With a Strategic Plan 

Dedicated CEOs don't let life happen to them. On the contrary, they take each day, or rather week, by storm. In other words, the beginning of each week is when they devote themselves to a planning session. 

Starting each week shifts the focus from low-value distractions to high-impact activities. Most importantly, it can kill the cycle of toxic productivity. Let's look closely at some real-world examples first: 

Each CEO has his or her unique method to plan their week. So, this isn't about copy-pasting anybody’s schedule. That's good because you now have room for experimentation. Here are some tips that might help: 

In its recent survey, PwC found that 45% of CEOs expected their companies to lose viability without major reinventions. Any breakthrough requires time and strategic planning. If that holds for long-term business success, it's equally important for professionals at any level seeking to maximize their productivity. 

Time-Block to Maintain Focus 

A common issue that many students and professionals encounter is feeling like they have no time. Some of it is because they’ve taken on too much on their plate. 

However, in many cases, this only has to do with a lack of effective time management. Time blocking is a good practice in which you get to create intentional spaces in your schedule before the chaos of the day kicks in. 

In simpler terms, this technique allows you to dedicate fixed blocks of time to key activities without decision fatigue. Many CEOs like to set aside specific hours every week for building strategy, innovation, and team updates. It can be something as simple as blocking Monday mornings for high-impact planning and Thursday afternoons for one-on-one meetings. 

Time blocking is not just for top-level executives, but also for everyone who desires to maximize their weekly productivity. Let's take the example of someone who's pursuing a rigorous professional track like an online BSN to FNP course. The former stands for Bachelor's in Nursing, and the latter for Family Nurse Practitioner. 

Many aspirants choose such programs for specialization, as they're highly flexible and provide fast-track career growth. For instance, Spring Arbor University shares that the asynchronous coursework allows students to balance multiple responsibilities alongside learning. 

Now, although there is no imposed structure to such a course, it also comes with maximum responsibility. Students who get carried away by the flexibility aspect may end up procrastinating. Time blocking is the scaffolding that makes success possible in such cases. 

It helps stay on track, make the most of each week, and avoid burnout. So, how do you time-block effectively? Listed below are some practical ways: 

Prioritize With Purpose 

You indeed need to be mindful of when to do certain tasks. That helps with staying focused. Now, what if you devote all your attention to tasks that don't truly matter at the end of the day or week? It's equally tragic, if not more. 

So, the third technique borrowed from successful CEOs has to do with the art of prioritizing your tasks. Top executives never focus on just working harder. They also aim to work smarter. 

Whether you're a student, professional, or even an aspirant, the principle of prioritizing applies to you. How can you be successful in this? These tips should provide insights: 

Always consider the value vs. effort ratio of each task. That's how you will avoid focusing on those that simply fill your time with ‘sweet nothings.’ High-impact tasks are also time-consuming, and doing them at the last minute thwarts productivity. 

Prioritization matters because it ensures you create tangible results with the time you have. Plus, it will prevent anxiety or a sense of overwhelm from creeping in. 

A shocking reason why prioritization is a CEO-inspired technique is that most people don't practice it. A recent survey found that a staggering 98.2% of people face challenges in prioritizing tasks. Don't let the struggle stop you! Strive, even if it means you learn by trial and error. 

Being proactive always works better than being reactive. No wonder great CEOs design their weeks with intention and purpose instead of going through the motions. Studies even suggest that reducing work time and building in deliberate recovery periods boosts well-being without sacrificing output. 

That's where the concept of a four-day work week comes from. So, how intentional are you, or are you planning to be, each week? Ram Krishnan, CEO of PepsiCo Beverages North America, uses a color-coded pie chart to ensure he stays efficient. 

You don't have to simply imitate what the top executives are doing. However, apply their techniques in your unique way and watch how the outcomes change. After all, they are tried and tested!