Kevin O'Leary told the Build or Break podcast with Daniel Lubetzky that the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs once gave him a simple formula for daily productivity: pick three things that matter and ignore everything else. The Canadian entrepreneur said the rule has guided his investing career and his approach to leadership.
What O'Leary says about the three-task rule
During the interview, O'Leary explained that "you only need to get three things done" each day. He stressed that these tasks are not grand visions but the most important actions that must be completed first. Anything that interferes, he called "noise", whether it is small-talk at the water-cooler or a family phone call.
Why the signal-to-noise ratio matters
According to O'Leary, the most successful businesspeople share an ability to separate signal from noise. He said Jobs operated with an 80:20 signal-to-noise ratio, a focus that made him "extremely difficult to work with" but also drove his achievements. O'Leary cited similar behaviour from Elon Musk, noting that Musk will walk away from a conversation if he does not see immediate value.
"[Musk] just doesn't want to waste his time, and look at what he's achieved," O'Leary said.
O'Leary believes that embracing this mindset can make a leader appear harsh, attracting critics. He argues that critics are merely noise that should not divert attention from the three daily priorities.
How the mindset shaped O'Leary's career
In the early 1990s, O'Leary worked with Jobs while SoftKey Software Products (later renamed The Learning Company) developed educational software for Apple. Jobs dismissed feedback from teachers and students, insisting his vision alone would determine success. O'Leary says that experience taught him the importance of a disciplined focus.
The lesson proved profitable. O'Leary founded SoftKey in his Toronto basement in 1983 and sold it to Mattel for $3.7 billion in 1999. He later built a reputation as a no-nonsense investor, backing companies such as Groove Book, Blueland and Basepaws, and has appeared for 17 seasons on Shark Tank as the outspoken "Mr. Wonderful".
What comes next for the entrepreneur
O'Leary says he continues to apply the three-task rule across his ventures, reminding entrepreneurs that the ability to filter out distractions is a skill that can be honed. He plans to keep sharing the approach on podcasts and in his public appearances, hoping that more European founders will adopt a stricter signal-to-noise discipline.
By focusing on a handful of high-impact actions each day, O'Leary argues, business leaders can protect their time, reduce criticism and maintain the momentum needed for long-term success.