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Be Successful by Stealing Productivity Tips from Famous People

What does it take to be successful? Genetics? A brilliant, innovative mind? Not really. Based on anecdotes from famous successful people, it is often the little things, applied routinely and diligently, that can push you over the edge. Lifehack recently rounded up a slew of productivity tips from famous names, and some of their advice is brilliant in its innocuousness. Here are some intriguing examples:

Vladimir Nabokov used 5-by-8 inch notecards to lay out his novels. The cards allowed him to compose and reorder his scenes quickly and efficiently.

Stephen King's voluminous output is not, as most people suspect, due to a deal with Satan. Instead, King says that he writes 10 pages a day. Every day -- including holidays.

Bill Gates cites being impulsive as a powerful attribute. He says that when you have a good idea, you should act on it right away.

Benjamin Franklin was notorious introspective. He self-assessed daily -- each morning, he would ask himself "what good shall I do today?" Every evening he concluded with, "what good have I done to-day?"

Playwright Henrik Ibsen worked best by constantly reminding himself about the competition. His desk contained a portrait of his arch-rival August Strindberg.

Build in stress release. Bavaria's King Otto began each day by going shooting. In this case, the details are a bit more complicated -- he hunted his peasants, though he fired blanks and his advisors acted out getting shot for his entertainment. Perhaps you could just play Angry Birds.

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