Are you looking to be more productive in your business? The art of productivity is elusive, yet essential, for people who are looking to be successful in their business careers. Get productivity tips from the pros here.

Whether you are working toward a business degree or already situated in your business career, productivity is everything. Process improvement gives you more control over your day and more fulfillments in life. Productive individuals are the first in line for a promotion, the highest earners and the ones who reach every milestone with great success. Here are a few business tips from individuals who have the ingredients of productivity all figured out.

DON’T FEAR OVER-TIME.
“I come to work almost every Sunday for at least four hours to go through my e-mail,” says Carol Smith, chief revenue officer of Harper’s Bazaar. She says this little bit of extra time helps her clear room in her schedule come Monday morning, so she can get right down to business.

DON’T LET THEM WASTE YOUR TIME.
Former U.S. Army Captain Gary E. McCullough says, “When people ask me for time, they generally don’t need the time that they ask for.” So, his assistant asks how much time people need and he cuts it in half, he adds. “It forces people to be clearer and more concise.” This helps the captain move people in and out of the office more efficiently.

EXERCISE.
Richard Branson, head of the Virgin Group, says his key to productivity is simple: Exercise. He estimates that he gets at least four more productive hours out of his day by exercising, which keeps oxygen flowing to his brain and keeps the body working like a well-oiled machine.

BE CONSISTENT.
Author Stephen King says that consistency is the most important piece of the pie for him. He strives to write at least 1,000 words or 10 pages every day. This includes weekends and holidays. It’s no wonder he has published over 49 successful novels and grossed millions of dollars!

SHED DEAD WEIGHT.
Google co-founder Larry Paige recommends firing your assistant. While that may sound counterintuitive, he explained that the assistants required too many undesirable meetings that were draining his time and energy. It was far easier and more effective for people to approach him directly.

SLEEP.
“My single-most effective trick for getting things done is to stop doing what I’m doing and get some sleep.”