Illustration: Alex Eben Meyer.
Exploring Unconventional Strategies of Inc. 5000 Company Leaders
Efficiently managing a myriad of responsibilities can pose a perpetual challenge for business owners. The leaders of America’s fastest-growing companies, as revealed in Inc.’s annual CEO Survey, shared a range of unconventional productivity techniques they employ to navigate their demanding schedules. While some rely on traditional methods like designated no-meeting days or the Pomodoro technique, others embrace unique strategies such as:
- Taking a car service for extra work time during commutes.
- Reading in the sauna.
- Deriving motivation from the movie “Rudy.”
- Engaging in motorcycle rides.
- Committing to daily walks, regardless of weather conditions.
- Dedicating focus time to early mornings, from 3 a.m. to 6 a.m.
- Participating in monthly car races.
Furthermore, prominent Inc. 500 CEOs have shared additional productivity practices that have proven effective for them:
Intermittent Fasting
Allison McNamara, CEO of Mara skincare, credits intermittent fasting for enhancing her cognitive clarity during crucial work hours. By refraining from eating until noon and after early evening hours, she attains sustained energy levels vital for peak performance.
Black Butter Tea and Meditation
Christian Drapeau, founder of Stemregen, prioritizes black butter tea consumption and meditation to cultivate inner tranquility amidst external challenges. His meditation routine, rooted in the Dzogchen tradition, effectively silences mental noise, while the tea provides sustained caffeine without crashes.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
CEO Andre Pennington of Pennington Law finds invaluable entrepreneurial insights through the practice of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, emphasizing the importance of humility and continuous learning. The physical and mental rigor of the martial art complements the challenges encountered in business endeavors.
Vocabulary List:
- Productivity /prɒdʌkˈtɪvɪti/ (noun): The state or quality of producing something especially in terms of efficiency.
- Intermittent /ˌɪntərˈmɪtənt/ (adjective): Occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous or steady.
- Tranquility /træŋˈkwɪlɪti/ (noun): The quality or state of being calm and peaceful.
- Technique /tɛkˈniːk/ (noun): A skillful or efficient way of doing something.
- Commitment /kəˈmɪtmənt/ (noun): The state or quality of being dedicated to a cause or activity.
- Cognitive /ˈkɒɡnɪtɪv/ (adjective): Relating to the mental processes of perception memory judgment and reasoning.
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