The Ivy Lee Method: 15 Minutes a Day to True Productivity
The Ivy Lee Method: 15 Minutes a Day to True Productivity
In 1918, steel magnate Charles Schwab had a problem: his executives were busy, but not always productive. He brought in a consultant named Ivy Lee, who gave him a deceptively simple strategy, which Schwab later said was the most valuable advice he’d ever received.
The whole thing takes 15 minutes a day. Here’s how it works:
At the end of each workday, write down the six most important things you need to accomplish tomorrow.
Not seven. Not ten. Just six. (Just three is even better.) If you list everything, nothing is truly a priority.
Prioritize them in order of true importance.
Not by urgency. Not by difficulty. By importance.
Tomorrow, start with #1 and work down the list in order.
You don’t move to #2 until #1 is complete.
If something doesn’t get done, it moves to the top of tomorrow’s list.
Repeat daily.
That’s it. No apps. No hacks. Just a pen, paper, and a commitment to clarity.
Why it works:
It eliminates decision fatigue. When you sit down at your desk, you already know what matters most.
It forces prioritization. You can’t do everything. But you can do the right things.
It compounds over time. Fifteen minutes a day may not seem like much, but it’s enough to transform scattered activity into focused progress.
The difference between people who look busy and those who are true standouts isn’t raw talent or even extra hours. It’s getting the most important things done.
The Bottom Line
This week, give the Ivy Lee Method a try. For 15 minutes each evening, decide in advance what tomorrow will look like. In a month, you may wonder how you ever worked any other way.
Helping you Thrive,
Judy
Founder, Selby Strategies
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