We’ve all heard the usual success advice—wake up early, meditate, exercise, and hustle hard. But what about the unconventional habits that top performers swear by? Here are 10 lesser-known routines of highly successful people that you won’t find in typical productivity lists.
1. They Take Strategic Naps (Like Da Vinci & Einstein)
While hustle culture glorifies all-nighters, many geniuses—like Leonardo Da Vinci and Albert Einstein—relied on polyphasic sleep (short naps throughout the day). Modern high-performers like Elon Musk and Arianna Huffington also swear by power naps to recharge creativity.
2. They Schedule Boredom
Successful people don’t just optimize every second—they intentionally leave gaps for boredom. Bill Gates famously takes "think weeks" where he isolates himself to read and reflect. Boredom sparks creativity and problem-solving.
3. They Practice "Negative Visualization" (Stoic Mindset)
Instead of just visualizing success, they prepare for failure. Tim Ferriss and Ryan Holiday use Stoic techniques—imagining worst-case scenarios—to reduce fear and make bolder decisions.
4. They Avoid the News
Warren Buffett reads 500 pages a day… but not headlines. Many successful people ignore the news cycle to avoid distraction and anxiety. They focus on deep knowledge instead of reactive information.
5. They Embrace Controlled Procrastination
Procrastination isn’t always bad—Steve Jobs used it strategically. By delaying decisions, he allowed better ideas to emerge. Some high-performers delay tasks intentionally to prioritize only what truly matters.
6. They Walk & Talk (No Chairs Needed)
Mark Zuckerberg and Jack Dorsey hold walking meetings. Movement boosts creativity, and ditching chairs leads to shorter, more productive discussions.
7. They Keep a "Dumb Ideas" Notebook
Richard Branson and Lin-Manuel Miranda jot down wild, impractical ideas regularly. Most go nowhere—but some turn into breakthroughs (like Hamilton).
8. They Use "Productive Procrastination"
When stuck, they switch to a different important task (instead of scrolling). This keeps momentum going. Example: Writing a report? Stuck? Jump to a strategic plan instead of Instagram.
9. They Seek "Inefficient" Socializing
While networking events feel productive, many successful people prefer deep 1-on-1 conversations over large groups. Charlie Munger (Buffett’s partner) credits his success to long, meandering talks with smart friends.
10. They Practice "Selective Ignorance"
They ignore trends, opinions, and "shoulds" that don’t align with their goals. Oprah stopped watching TV early in her career to focus on her own path.
Final Thought: Success Isn’t About Copying—It’s About Customizing
These habits work because they’re tailored to individual strengths. The key? Experiment, keep what works, and ditch the rest.
Which of these habits surprised you? Any unusual routines of your own? Share below!
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