Kevin O’Leary, well-known investor and “Shark Tank” star, has embraced a daily goal-setting technique inspired by the late Steve Jobs. O’Leary attributes much of his productivity to the practice he learned during his time collaborating with Jobs in the mid-1990s while his company, The Learning Company, worked with Apple to bring Macintosh computers into educational settings.
The essence of O’Leary’s method is simple: select three core tasks to accomplish each day. He believes this focus allows him to prioritize and manage distractions effectively. As O’Leary explained, the formula consists of dedicating 70% of his energy to these essential tasks—the “signal”—while the remaining 30%—the “noise”—can encompass all the potential interruptions and distractions that may arise.
One non-negotiable task in O’Leary’s daily routine includes physical exercise, which he schedules first each morning. He starts his day at 5 a.m., typically biking around 12 miles to maintain his physical and mental health. “I have to do that; otherwise, bad things happen,” he noted, underscoring how crucial this habit is for his overall well-being.
Despite his commitment to productivity, O’Leary candidly acknowledges that managing correspondence has become increasingly overwhelming. Receiving between 2,000 to 4,000 emails a day has led him to abandon traditional email management techniques. “I’ve tried every system to filter out the noise, but my email address has proliferated over time, leading to an incessant flood of messages,” he explained. As a result, he has chosen to focus solely on his defined goals rather than get bogged down by an unmanageable inbox.
In his line of work, O’Leary emphasizes the importance of staying committed to personal objectives rather than adhering to conventional work schedules. “In entrepreneurship, there is no holiday, no standard workday—it’s about how you choose to spend your time,” he said. This philosophy reinforces his belief in the value of focusing on personal priorities and silencing distractions to facilitate innovation and progress.
O’Leary’s approach exemplifies how individuals can harness discipline and focus to achieve their goals effectively. By distinguishing between productive tasks and disruptive distractions, he continues to thrive in the dynamic world of business and investment.