ELEVEN SUPER-ACHIEVERS told Fortune magazine how they stay ahead. I learned a few things after reading the story and watching a steady swarm of office workers flock to this blog post because Google Finance linked to this blog item when it mentioned the P&G brand name. (Note from editor: More people came looking at the P&G angle than any other brand. I knew how powerful the brand was before writing this, but it's quite remarkable watching the lesson prove itself in real time.)
Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault and Nissan: "Focus relentlessly. I do not bring my work home."
Marissa Mayer, VP, Search Products, Google: "Don't just cope with information--revel in it. I do marathon e-mail catch-up sessions (10 to 14 hours straight). I use task lists in a straight text file."
Howard Schultz, Chairman Starbucks. "Rise early (0500) and drink a good cup of coffee. At work the first thing I do is read the flash report, which is a roadmap of what we do that day."
Bill Gross, Chief Investment Officer, Pimco: "Cut through the noise. You have to cut the information flow to the minimum level. I don't have a cellphone. I don't have a Blackberry. I sit surrounded by six large screens. After about 45 minutes of riding the exercise bike and 15 minutes of yoga, all of a sudden some significant light bulbs seem to turn on."
Wynton Marsalis, artistic director, Jazz at Lincoln Center: "Challenge each other but don't hold grudges. I have never sent an e-mail."
A. G. Lafley, CEO, Procter & Gamble: "Take a break, even if you work Sunday nights. Learn to manage your energy, not your time. Teach yourself to meditate. It brings you calm during information onslaughts."
Vera Wang, CEO, Vera Wang Group: "I hate phones. I am able to think in a more peaceful way when at home."
Nandan Nilekani, CEO, Infosys: "Be less busy and more effective. Bunch up your e-mails. DO them once in the morning, maybe twice during the day and then once at night."
Stelios Haji-Iaonnou, Founder, easyGroup: "Be your own secretary. I have a low-tech concept of a to-do list: an e-mail I send to myself. I don't consider it my duty to reply to every e-mail."
Hank Paulson, CEO Goldman Sachs: "Work the phone and the clock. I've never used e-mail but I'm a huge voicemail user."
Jerry Useem -- "Making Your Work Work for You" in Fortune, March 27, 2006.
