People who achieve more in a year than most do in a decade follow these daily routines

We’ve all had those moments where we look around and see people seemingly crushing it at warp speed. They’re building businesses, launching new projects, and checking off bucket-list goals while the rest of us are still trying to figure out what’s for dinner.

So what’s going on here? Are these ultra-achievers made of something different, or do they just operate on superhuman energy?

In my experience, it’s neither. Instead, I’ve noticed a consistent theme: they follow specific daily routines that keep them in perpetual motion, continually cranking out wins—big and small—all year long.

And while I can’t promise you’ll be the next billionaire innovator just by copying their morning routine, I’ve found that adopting certain habits does, in fact, supercharge productivity and success.

I first got a taste of this idea back in my 20s when I was running my own startups. I wasn’t exactly sure what I was doing at the time (is anyone ever?), but I did know that focusing on a few keystone habits made an enormous impact on how much I achieved in a short span.

Now, as a writer here at Small Biz Technology, I see the same patterns in the entrepreneurs and business owners I meet. The reality is that consistency in certain daily practices is what sets the unstoppable apart from the rest.

Below are seven routines I’ve identified among people who accomplish in one year what might otherwise take a decade. Give them a try. You might surprise yourself with the results.

1. They set ruthless priorities every morning

One thing I’ve noticed is that these high achievers wake up with a mission in mind.

They don’t let themselves get hijacked by email notifications or social media scroll-holes before they’ve defined their top tasks for the day. Some even write these priorities out on paper or use apps to track them.

As Greg McKeown said, “If you don’t prioritize your life, someone else will.” That couldn’t be more accurate.

I used to think a jam-packed to-do list was a sign of productivity, but all it did was leave me overwhelmed. It’s not about doing more stuff; it’s about doing the right stuff.

Psychologists describe this as “attentional control,” and research suggests that when we consciously direct our focus, we’re more likely to persist through challenges. In other words, you might not have more hours in the day than anyone else, but you can certainly use them more wisely by choosing exactly where your focus goes.

2. They embrace deep work sessions

I’ve mentioned this before but it’s worth repeating: there’s a massive difference between being busy and being genuinely productive.

People who hit those lofty year-long goals typically carve out blocks of uninterrupted time to dive deep into their tasks. No phones, no pointless browser tabs, and definitely no aimless Slack chatter.

Cal Newport, in his book Deep Work, argues that these focused sessions are vital for producing at an elite level in any field.

Personally, I’ve found that a solid 90-minute stretch of single-task focus can accomplish more than four or five hours of fragmented, constantly interrupted work.

If you struggle to keep distractions at bay, try scheduling “appointment-only” time on your calendar. If your colleagues (or your kids!) know you’re in a do-not-disturb zone, they’ll be less likely to break your concentration with every minor question.

Over time, your mind learns to settle into this deep work rhythm, and that’s when you start accomplishing big stuff fast.

3. They commit to continuous learning

Have you noticed how some people seem to have a never-ending supply of insights and ideas?

It’s not that they’re born smarter—it’s that they’re constantly feeding their brains. Whether it’s reading books, checking out courses, or even listening to podcasts during a morning run, these individuals see learning as a daily ritual, not a once-in-a-while event.

I love cracking open a nonfiction book by authors like Tim Ferriss or Jordan Peterson. Ferriss once said, “Focus on being productive instead of busy,” and that line stayed with me. It reminds me to read and absorb new concepts that can streamline my work and add clarity to my strategies.

There’s also science backing this up. A study by the American Psychological Association found that continuous learning is linked to higher adaptability and resilience in a professional setting.

Bottom line: If you make learning a cornerstone of your day—maybe reading a chapter before bed or dedicating 20 minutes in the morning—it’s going to pay off in everything else you do.

4. They prioritize physical well-being

It might seem almost cliché to talk about working out or eating healthy, but it’s a cliché for a reason: most super-achievers I’ve met swear by their exercise routines, healthy diets, and decent sleep.

I’m no bodybuilder, but if I skip my workouts for too many days, my productivity nosedives like a plane out of fuel.

“Your body is your personal launching pad,” a mentor of mine used to say. If you neglect it, you can’t exactly expect to rocket off toward big goals without crashing halfway.

And as James Clear put it, “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” Maintaining your health is the ultimate system—it affects your energy, mood, and focus.

Now, you don’t need to become an Ironman triathlete. Simply build a routine that suits your lifestyle—maybe that’s a 20-minute daily walk, a quick home workout, or a sport you enjoy.

It’s the consistency that matters. When your energy levels improve, you’ll feel unstoppable in chasing those yearlong goals.

5. They take time for daily reflection and gratitude

This point sometimes gets overlooked because it feels less “tactical.”

But you’d be amazed how many high-performing individuals take a few moments each day to reflect. Some write in a journal, noting what went right and what needs improvement. Others do a brief meditation session to keep themselves centered.

I started journaling after reading about the practice in Tools of Titans by Tim Ferriss. He shares how many top-level performers across industries have some form of reflection or mindfulness in their daily schedule.

For me, even a short entry helps me spot patterns in my life—like recurring challenges that need fixing or small wins that deserve celebration.

Gratitude, in particular, has an enormous effect. Research out of the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley indicates that writing down a few things you’re thankful for every day can boost optimism and even reduce stress.

When you’re optimistic and less stressed, you’re a whole lot more creative and productive. That’s a formula for knocking out big achievements faster than you thought possible.

6. They set boundaries around technology and people

Here at Small Biz Technology, we’re obviously fans of using digital tools to make life easier.

But one thing I see among super-achievers is that they use tech in a purposeful way rather than letting it rule their day. They don’t spend hours mindlessly scrolling, and they’re quick to set do-not-disturb modes on their devices when it’s time to focus.

Boundaries aren’t just about tech, though. They also set boundaries with people who drain their energy. That might mean saying “no” to extra tasks that don’t align with their goals or limiting time spent with negative influences.

As Warren Buffett famously said, “The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.”

Saying “no” more often can be tough at first—it was for me. But once you realize how much mental clutter and negativity get cleared out, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start sooner.

Boundaries free you up for the stuff that matters: building, creating, and pushing forward on the projects that propel you toward your big milestones.

7. They fail forward and adapt quickly

Failure is a weird word—it seems to scare off most people.

But the folks who get more done in a year than many do in ten embrace it as a normal step in the process. After all, if you’re trying big things, you’re bound to stumble a few times. You either learn from it and move on, or you stay stuck.

Jordan Peterson likes to say, “Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone else is today.” I interpret that as a reminder that your path is yours alone, including your failures.

If you’re busy looking at someone else’s highlight reel, you might miss the lesson in your own missteps. And those lessons are gold. They help you pivot faster, refine your strategy, and keep your momentum going.

I’ve had my fair share of flop projects—like launching a digital product that tanked or hosting events no one showed up for. Each time, though, I found a hidden gem of insight.

Was it fun? Nope. But it gave me a blueprint of what not to do next time, which saved me months, if not years, of wasted effort.

That’s what truly hyper-productive folks do: they shrug off the disappointment, gather the data, and try again.

And to round things off (though it’s no small matter)…

I believe success happens when our daily routines align with our long-term vision.

It’s about making conscious choices in how you start your day, how you manage your time, what habits you cultivate, and how you respond to challenges.

These individuals who accomplish more in twelve months than many do in a decade aren’t magical unicorns—they’re simply consistent in following the seven routines we’ve just covered.

So if you’re feeling stuck, pick one or two habits from this list and try them out. Don’t overwhelm yourself by trying to revamp your entire life overnight—give yourself permission to grow at your own pace.

Whether it’s setting stricter boundaries around social media or carving out a 20-minute window for deep work, small daily steps can lead to colossal breakthroughs down the line.

Until next time, friends