15 Secrets Successful People Know About Time Management
A New York Times bestseller by Kevin Kruse based on research with billionaires, Olympic athletes, straight-A students, and entrepreneurs that reveals productivity habits including why millionaires don't use to-do lists and how to maximize energy through sleep, diet, exercise, and breaks.
Last updated: 2026-03-19 01:01
Overview
New York Times bestselling author Kevin Kruse presents findings from his study of ultra-productive people in this 2015 book. The research is based on survey data and interviews with billionaires, Olympic athletes, straight-A students, and over 200 entrepreneurs—including Mark Cuban, Kevin Harrington, James Altucher, John Lee Dumas, Pat Flynn, Grant Cardone, and Lewis Howes.
Promise
The book promises to help readers double their productivity without feeling overworked and overwhelmed, exploring what would happen if a few new habits could dramatically increase productivity and even 5x or 10x it in key areas.
Notable Strategies
Some of the key strategies covered in the book include:
- 1,440 Minutes: Recognition that there are 1,440 minutes in every day
- Why Millionaires Don't Use To-Do Lists: Insight into why ultra-productive people avoid traditional to-do lists
- Time Travel Trick: A method for curing procrastination
- 3 Questions: How to save 8 hours a week by asking three strategic questions
- Energy Maximization: Maximize your energy to maximize productivity, focusing on sleep, diet, exercise, and short breaks throughout the day
Research Foundation
The book's findings are grounded in actual research with high-achievers across multiple domains:
- 7 billionaires
- 13 Olympic athletes
- 29 straight-A students
- 239 entrepreneurs
Format
Published in 2015, the book is available in paperback, Kindle ebook, and audiobook formats on Amazon, Audible, and other retailers. A bonus workbook is also available to help readers implement the strategies.
Impact
The book has become a popular resource for professionals seeking evidence-based productivity strategies backed by research with demonstrably successful individuals across various fields.
Related Items
1-3-5 Method
A daily planning productivity system where you commit to accomplishing 1 Major Task, 3 Medium Tasks, and 5 Small Tasks each day, providing a realistic and balanced approach to daily goal-setting that prevents overwhelm while ensuring meaningful progress.
1-3-5 Rule
A daily prioritization method where you focus on accomplishing one big task, three medium tasks, and five small tasks each day. Created by Alex Cavoulacos, founder of The Muse, this system helps ensure your most important work gets done by recognizing realistic capacity limits.
10X Rule
A productivity and success methodology by Grant Cardone emphasizing setting targets 10 times higher than initially planned and taking 10 times the action believed necessary to achieve exceptional results.
12 Week Year System
Time management methodology that replaces annual planning with 12-week cycles, creating urgency and focus by treating each quarter as a complete year for goal-setting and execution.