7 Productivity Hacks Every Leader Needs
The Myth of Being Available
I used to wear “always available” like a badge of honor.
Emails at all hours. Meetings back-to-back. Big projects late into the night. I told myself I was being productive.
But the truth? I was just tired.
Leadership doesn’t break you all at once. It drains you one unprioritized week at a time. Fires to put out. Interruptions. Last-minute requests. And suddenly, the things that matter most never get your best energy.
That’s when I realized: I wasn’t leading my week. I was reacting to it.
These seven productivity shifts helped me take back control.
1. Plan Your Week on Sunday Night
Waiting until Monday morning to get organized means you’ve already lost momentum.
I take 30 minutes on Sunday night to sketch out my top priorities. I ask:
- What must move forward this week?
- What meetings actually matter?
- Where can I block time for deep work?
It’s a small rhythm with big returns. I wake up Monday knowing what matters, and I’m already in motion.
2. Use the 80/20 Rule to Focus on Impact
The 80/20 Rule changed how I look at my calendar.
Eighty percent of your results come from 20% of your work. But most of us spend our days in the other 80%, checking boxes, attending meetings, reacting to inboxes.
Now I ask myself: What’s the high-leverage 20%? That’s where I start my day.
3. Batch Tasks to Avoid Mental Whiplash
Multitasking doesn’t make you faster, it just makes you scattered.
So I group similar tasks together: email, meetings, creative work. Each gets its own block.
That means less switching. Less mental fatigue. And way more actual progress.
4. Set 3 Daily Priorities
I don’t try to do everything. I pick three.
Every day, I name the top three things that matter most. If I get those done, I win the day.
This simple filter keeps me focused, even when the day goes sideways.
5. Automate What Doesn’t Need You
Repetitive tasks don’t require leadership. They require systems.
I automate what I can, meeting scheduling, email templates, reminders, so I can spend my time where it counts.
Less clicking. More leading.
6. Delegate and Let Go
For too long, I believed, “If I want it done right, I have to do it myself.”
That wasn’t leadership. That was control.
Now I delegate with clarity and give people ownership. The result? More margin for me. More growth for them.
7. Take Breaks (Yes, Really)
I used to power through. Now I pause.
Short breaks reset your brain. They help you return to work with sharper focus and better energy.
It feels counterintuitive, but stepping away is often the most productive move you can make.
Final Thought: You Don’t Need More Hours
You need better habits.
Start with one of these shifts. Build it into your rhythm. Then layer in another.
Because leadership isn’t about doing everything, it’s about doing what matters most, consistently.
And that starts with how you spend your week.
Lead Your Week, Don’t Let It Lead You
When you’re constantly reacting, it’s easy to confuse busyness with progress. The real win? Leading with clarity and purpose, every single week. It’s not about cramming more into your calendar, it’s about making space for what matters most.
If you’re ready to break the cycle of overwhelm and lead with more focus, I’ve created a 30-Day Leadership Plan designed to help you take back control of your week.
- Identify your high-impact priorities
- Build healthier leadership rhythms
- Stay focused on what matters most
👉 Get your free 30-Day Leadership Plan
Small shifts in your week lead to bigger wins in your leadership.
Tyler on Leading with Intention
In this short video, Tyler shares from his own leadership journey, the mindset shifts that help him protect his time, focus on what matters, and lead his week instead of reacting to it.
▶ Watch: Tyler’s Leadership Insights
If you’ve been feeling stretched thin or constantly pulled in different directions, you’ll appreciate Tyler’s honest take on setting priorities, creating healthy rhythms, and avoiding the burnout trap.
About Tyler Smith
Tyler Smith is the co-founder and CEO of Text In Church, a communication platform built to help churches connect with their people beyond Sunday mornings. With over 20 years of leadership experience, Tyler shares practical strategies to help church and business leaders grow with clarity and confidence.
He’s a husband, dad, and lifelong learner who’s passionate about building systems that empower people and strengthen communities.
👉 Connect with Tyler on LinkedIn for more leadership and communication insights.
