15 Best Productivity Hacks Entrepreneurs Should Try

19 Best Productivity Hacks Entrepreneurs Should Try

The best productivity hacks for entrepreneurs in 2026 are not shortcuts, but proven systems designed to manage focus, prioritise high-impact tasks, and protect time for deep work.

This includes implementing established techniques like the Pomodoro Technique for focused sprints, Time Blocking to structure your day, and the Eisenhower Matrix to differentiate between urgent and important tasks.

By applying principles like the Pareto Principle (also known as the 80/20 rule), these hacks help entrepreneurs reduce context switching and avoid burnout, leading to more sustainable business growth.

What is Productivity?

The term productivity refers to accomplishing more tasks or complex activities that are essential for your success. Staying productive means focusing on the most critical things successfully.

Staying more productive throughout your business journey is a challenging feat. It’s difficult, but it is not impossible.

All you need to do is take responsible steps, and you will be able to achieve your desired goal.

Best Productivity Hacks for Entrepreneurs 

1 – Plan Your Day

Yes, planning is the key to making your day super successful. Start your day with a plan, and you will stay organised throughout the day.

Remember, a daily planning ritual can do wonders and help you achieve your ambitions. As an entrepreneur, you need to get many things to run your startup.

You must complete tasks, even when you wake up disengaged or tired. Having a day plan in your daily planner app will motivate you to accomplish more tasks.

So, set an alarm for the daily planning session, and you will feel more organised, focused and motivated throughout the day.

2 – Exercise or Meditate

Being an entrepreneur, you need to stay productive throughout the day. It will only be possible when your mind and body are fresh.

You can establish a morning routine by incorporating workout activities such as morning walks, yoga, meditation, cycling or any other physical activity that can enhance your mental clarity and focus.

Starting your day with any physical activity will lay a strong foundation.

3 – Jot Down All Important Tasks

It is one of the most essential productivity hacks that can help entrepreneurs to stay organised. Create a to-do list in the morning or whenever you get time for the next day. When you have a to-do list saved in one place, you remember all critical tasks.

Remember, to-do lists work great if you use them effectively. You will stay more organised and experience less stress. If you prioritise intelligently, you can better focus on high-value activities necessary for your business’s success. So, create a properly structured to-do list and use it sensibly to complete all your essential tasks.

4 – Use a Productivity Method

An effective productivity method can take your productivity level to a new level. You only need to determine which method/tool works well for you. With the help of a productivity tool, you can manage your day efficiently and set accomplishable goals.

The human brain is easily distracted, and attention spans are shorter than ever. The proper productivity method can help keep your attention focused and simplify the task. Choosing the suitable productivity method can maximise your efficiency.

Here is a list of some of the most famous productivity methods every entrepreneur should try to complete more tasks.  

1. Time Blocking Method
2. The Biological Prime Time Method
3. The Action Method
4. Getting Things Done (GTD) Method
5. Don’t Break the Chain Method
6. Do the Worst Thing First (Eat the Frog)
7. The Eisenhower Matrix Method
8. MIT (Most Important Tasks) Method
9. The Kanban Method
10. SMART Goals Method

5 – Apply the Pareto Principle (80/20 Rule)

Look, you’ve probably heard of the 80/20 rule, but most people don’t actually use it. The thing is, it’s dead simple.

Roughly 80% of your results will come from just 20% of your efforts. Mad, isn’t it?

Your job is to figure out what that golden 20% is. At the start of the week, have a proper look at your to-do list.

What are the few things on there that are actually going to move the needle for your business? You know, the stuff that brings in the cash or lands that massive new client.

That’s your 20%. The rest is likely just busy work.

It feels productive, but it’s not really getting you anywhere. Focus all your energy on that top 20% and be ruthless with the other 80%.

Either ditch it, delegate it, or do it when your brain is fried at the end of the day. Stop faffing about with tasks that don’t matter.

6 – Work on one goal at a time

Yes, you read it right. To stay productive, say no to multitasking. The human brain is not capable of managing multiple tasks simultaneously. According to several studies, multitasking can harm productivity levels and reduce them by up to 40%.

It takes more time and energy to complete a task if you frequently switch between the functions, and you will likely make more errors.

Many psychological studies have shown that the human mind can do one cognitive job simultaneously. It is a misconception that switching between tasks can make you more productive.

In reality, this is not the case. You fool yourself. So, do one thing at a time.  

7 – Break Down Your Bigger Goals

It is one of the most effective productivity hacks that can help you complete all your tasks. Whether you are an entrepreneur, student, professional or belong to any other field, you can achieve each milestone with this workable strategy.

Carefully check your to-do list and identify the task that is too complicated. Now, break down the most complex item into smaller parts and focus on the most challenging first.

Whether you want to start your new business, scale your existing business to new heights of success, or achieve any personal goal, this productivity hack can help you achieve your big goals.

The key is to know how to break down your big goal into actionable steps.

Breaking down the more significant and challenging goals into small, achievable ones can easily fit into your busy schedule. It is the easiest way to say goodbye to procrastination and stay more focused.

8 – Dedicate a Time Slot for Checking Your Email

According to a survey conducted by McKinsey, people spend approximately 2.6 hours of the workday checking their inboxes. If you are one of those, it’s time to change your email habits.

You can get more tasks done if you spend less time in your inbox. Even a tiny change in your email-checking routine can make a big difference. But the question is how?

Allocate a specific time slot for email, and you will see the magic. Your daily tasks require your full attention, and if you constantly check your emails or attend to other tasks, you will likely feel overwhelmed.

For a more balanced and focused workday, it is highly recommended to limit checking your emails. Suppose you start your day by checking your inbox or social media before doing anything else.

You need to stop this habit and deliver high-value work efficiently by achieving a state of deep work. Emails will only divert your attention and remove your focus from the task you struggle to complete.

The best approach is to dedicate specific day periods to check your email. In the business world, it is undeniable that email holds true importance, as it remains the primary form of communication and collaboration.

Allotting specific blocks daily to go through your inbox can give you more time to think strategically and creatively.

9 – Follow the Two-Minute Rule

What is this two-minute rule? It is a proven productivity hack that can help you polish your time management skills.

Unlike other productivity methods, the two-minute rule aims to beat procrastination and help you complete more minor tasks. According to this rule, if you can complete the job, do it now, and don’t put it off until tomorrow.

The rule is simple and quick. All you need to do is avoid procrastination and find time to complete more tasks. Whether you want to send the client a quick reminder feedback email, leave a voice note, remove the digital clutter, or organise your workspace. You can follow this two-minute rule to stay focused on less important tasks.

10 – Batch Similar Tasks Together

Alright, let’s discuss “context switching.” Sounds a bit corporate, I know, but it’s a real productivity killer.

It’s what happens when you jump from writing an email to sorting an invoice to making a quick phone call.

Your brain just can’t keep up. Every time you switch, you lose focus, and it takes a bit of time to get back in the zone.

It’s like trying to cook three different meals in three different kitchens at once. You’ll just end up burning everything.

The fix is easy: batch your tasks. Group all similar items together and complete them all in one go.

Got emails to answer? Dedicate a solid hour to just that. No distractions.

Need to make calls? Block out another hour and smash through them all.

You’ll find you get into a proper rhythm and finish things much quicker. It feels less chaotic, too.

11 – Manage Your Time with a Tool

Managing your time efficiently is a big challenge, especially for first-time entrepreneurs. As an entrepreneur, you have to perform multiple duties. You must respond to clients’ emails, complete your to-do list, and attend scheduled meetings.

Thanks to time management tools specifically designed to help busy professionals prioritise and accomplish tasks most effectively.

Here is the list of the best time management tools that can help you better manage your time and boost productivity:

• Calendar
• Toggl
• Rescue Time
• Harvest
• Asana
• Trello
• Clockify
• TimeCamp
• To-do list
• Time Schedule
• Pomodoro Technique
• Replicon
• DeskTime
• Monday.com
• Time Doctor
• ProofHub
• Eisenhower Matrix
• Task Breakdown

These tools have many outstanding features; you can experiment with any time management tool and determine which boosts your productivity.  

12 – Automate and Delegate Repetitive Work

Here’s a hard truth. You are not a superhero.

You can’t do everything yourself, and if you try, you’ll burn out. Simple as that.

So, you need to get smart. First, identify all the boring, repetitive tasks you perform every day.

The stuff that makes your eyes glaze over. Can a bit of software do it for you? Bet it can.

Use a tool like Buffer or Later to schedule all your social media posts for the week. Sorted.

Use Calendly to schedule meetings instead of sending multiple emails back and forth.

Now, for the stuff you can’t automate, delegate it. Get a virtual assistant to handle your inbox or do your bookkeeping.

Yes, it costs money. But your time is worth more.

Every hour you spend doing £ 10 an hour admin work is an hour you’re not spending on the £ 100 an hour strategy stuff that actually grows your business.

13 – Take Breaks Regularly

Taking breaks and using them right can boost your productivity levels. Sounds weird? Many people don’t believe it and think it is ineffective.

Many people don’t know how to incorporate breaks into their busy schedules and what type can make their minds fresh. Your mind needs to replenish after performing so many cognitive tasks.

Taking regular breaks can help you stay more productive. Regular intervals can reduce stress levels and refocus your mental energy after performing a specific task.

Moreover, frequent breaks during the workday will improve your well-being and performance. The key is to take an effective type of break that is beneficial for your mind and body.

According to a survey from Aflac, approximately 59% of employees experience burnout. The high burnout rate and stress levels are associated with poor performance.

Taking breaks during work hours can help you improve your performance. When your mind and body feel exhausted and depleted, it is the right time to take a break.

There are different types of breaks; you can take the one that suits you best, from exercising to reading an informative article, going for a short walk, playing badminton with your coworker, taking a nap or simply talking to a friend.

There are various types of break activities that you can participate in to enhance your performance.

14 – Follow the Pomodoro Technique

Believe it or not, it is one of the most essential productivity hacks for beating procrastination and maintaining focus. This time management technique emphasises taking short breaks to enhance concentration and alleviate mental fatigue.

The Pomodoro technique is straightforward.

1. Choose a task you need to complete.
2. Set a timer for 25 minutes and work on the selected job.
3. Take a five-minute break after working for 25 minutes.
4. Repeat the process one to three times.
5. You can take a 15-minute break.

The Pomodoro method breaks the tasks into 25-minute focus periods to instil urgency. It will motivate you to make every possible effort to complete the job, as you only have 25 minutes.

Now, sitting in front of your laptop for hours without realising it is unnecessary. The 25-minute reminder will remind you to get up and take a break.

15 – Create a Dedicated, Comfortable Space to Work

To increase your productivity, you need to rethink your workspace. If your workspace is packed with distractions and uncomfortable, how can you achieve your desired business goals?

Ensure your workspace is free from visual and auditory distractions. Otherwise, it will be challenging to focus on your work.

Many entrepreneurs manage their work from home. If you are one of those who struggle to stay focused, you must create a dedicated space to do so.

Select an ergonomic chair that is comfortable for your back, and design your home to resemble an office. Creating a suitable home/work environment can motivate you to complete your tasks.

If you can’t make a dedicated workspace at home, you can work in a nearby coffee shop or look for coworking spaces.

You can also add some colours to your workspace by decorating your desk with your awards, diplomas, motivational quotes, and other decorative items. It will make you feel appreciated and motivated throughout the day.

16 – Start Your Day with the Most Dreaded Task

Undoubtedly, the most effective productivity hack can make your day more productive. You can start your day with the most critical/challenging thing on your to-do list. If you review your list, you will find that the most difficult part is the priority. It is a task that needs to be completed first.

Complete it as soon as possible, rather than waiting until the last minute. Your other duties are less daunting; you can keep your stress levels low by getting the most dreaded task out of the way.

17 – Set Aside Time for Self-care

Self-care can boost your productivity levels. It is an effective method to say goodbye to stress and keep you motivated. Self-care is necessary for your physical, mental and emotional health.

Entrepreneurs who want to grow their businesses and stay more productive should set aside time for self-care. You can recharge your mind and body and improve the quality of your life by participating in self-care activities.

You can do little things that make you feel happy. From spiritual activities to aromatherapy and massage, you can engage in practices that can improve your cognitive functions.

People who take care of themselves can better focus on tasks that require their full attention. So, incorporate a self-care routine into your busy schedule, and you will find more energy and capacity to perform well.

18 – Meet Deadlines

Meeting deadlines seems easier said than done. It would be helpful if you had the time, energy, and focus to avoid distractions and follow a strict schedule to meet deadlines.

You can use deadlines to increase your productivity. Setting deadlines creates a sense of urgency and motivates you to complete more tasks. You can break down your more significant tasks into smaller, manageable ones to achieve your goals more quickly.

When setting deadlines, ensure they are realistic and perfectly aligned with your priorities. Remember that every project’s complexity, urgency and importance is different. For instance, content writers, software engineers, and mobile app developers often work on tight deadlines.

Many companies work hard to release apps and software products and create content within a given timeframe to keep their clients and customers happy.

Delivering the task on time can result in lost sales opportunities and dissatisfied customers, leading to financial losses.

Thanks to many video translators, AI dubbing tools, app development tools, and AI tools, completing your work on time has become more accessible. With these tools, you can quickly fulfil the client’s needs and meet deadlines without compromising productivity.

19 – Conduct a Weekly Review

This one’s a proper game-changer, so listen up. Set aside an hour at the end of every week.

Friday afternoon is usually best, before you switch off completely. This is your Weekly Review.

It’s not another meeting; it’s time for you to think. Look back at the week.

What went well? What was a total disaster? Be honest with yourself.

Then, review your calendar, to-do lists, and inbox. Clear it all out.

Get everything organised.

The most important bit? Plan out your top priorities for next week.

What are the three big things you absolutely must get done? Write them down.

When you do this, you walk into Monday knowing exactly what you’re doing. You’re not just reacting to whatever email pops up first.

You’re in control. It stops things from falling through the cracks and gives you some much-needed headspace.

Final Words

For entrepreneurs, staying productive is crucial to achieving their business goals. Staying focused and productive may sound daunting; however, experimenting with the best productivity hacks can maximise your work efficiency.

You can quickly implement these productivity hacks into your daily routine and gear up to stay competitive in 2026 and future years.