Tech habits of successful people

High achievers balance screen time by focusing on productivity and minimizing distractions. Their habits reveal how technology can support success without taking over daily life.

High achievers spend significant time on their screens but with clear intent. They averaged 7 hours daily on their computers, primarily for productivity, and 3 hours on their phones, mostly for entertainment.

This contrasts sharply with average Americans, who spend 23% more time on their phones. Successful individuals spent 9% more time on their computers and were 6% more likely to use them for productive tasks than the average person.

Their screentime approach extends to their work habits, with 43% of successful individuals checking work-related emails and messages outside work hours and 36% responding after hours. These rates are notably higher than their average counterparts, which were 38% and 29%, respectively.

Successful Americans employed various strategies to manage screen time: 18% used focus modes to eliminate distractions, while 44% took tech-free breaks daily, and 17% did so weekly. In comparison, 38% of average Americans took tech-free breaks daily, with 24% opting for weekly ones.

Social media usage reflects the focused mindset of successful individuals. Reddit emerged as their platform of choice, with 39% using it frequently.

Many high achievers limited or avoided platforms perceived as less beneficial. For instance, 49% said they don't use TikTok, including 46% of younger successful Americans (millennials and Gen Z).

Successful people were less likely than the average person to limit LinkedIn usage (7% vs. 12%, respectively). They were also much more engaged on this platform, with only 17% of high achievers not using LinkedIn compared to 38% of average Americans.

Time management topped the list of productivity strategies, with 66% of successful Americans prioritizing calendars and scheduling tools as their go-to hack.

AI chatbots ranked second, with 40% leveraging this new technology to boost productivity.

Compared to average Americans, successful individuals were 32% more likely to use calendar and scheduling tools and 11% more likely to rely on AI chatbots to optimize their workflows. These tools have enabled them to maintain focus, manage time effectively, and achieve their goals more efficiently.