This is a 100-year-old productivity hack that has proved successful and applicable to this day. Legend has it that Ivy Lee, a productivity consultant, was hired by Charles M. Schwab the president of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation to improve his company's efficiency. Lee offered this method for free and after three months, Schwab was so pleased with the results he wrote Lee a check for $25,000 — the equivalent of about $400,000 today.

Every day, jot down the six most important things you want to accomplish the next day. List them in order of importance and then start with the most important task first thing in the morning. Don't list more than six items.