Brief
Ari Emanuel says he treats his to‑do list like a personal contract
The WME chairman explained his anti‑procrastination routine on the Aspire with Emma Grede podcast.
By Felo News Desk · Published
WME chairman and TKO Group CEO Ari Emanuel told host Emma Grede on the "Aspire with Emma Grede" podcast that he treats each item on his to‑do list as a contract with himself, refusing to put tasks off until tomorrow.
He said, "I think it's very important to have routine. I have the voice like everybody else, 'Go back to bed.' I don't listen to that voice. I make sure I don't listen to that voice. I just get my ass up," adding that giving in to that inner voice becomes an excuse for procrastination.
Emanuel described his approach as "relentless" and credited it with helping him get noticed early in his career, noting that he never hesitated to follow up when calls went unanswered and often reaches out directly to people he wants to know.
He linked this habit to broader relationship‑building, saying that casual conversations can lead to unexpected opportunities.
Business Insider noted that other entertainers, such as Tom Cruise and Rick Rubin, have shared similar mind‑sets about turning ambition into concrete steps.
Key facts
- Ari Emanuel treats his to‑do list as a personal contract and avoids procrastination. (insider.com)
- He discussed this routine on the "Aspire with Emma Grede" podcast on September 30, 2026. (insider.com)
- Emanuel said he follows up on unanswered calls and reaches out directly to build relationships. (insider.com)
Background
Emanuel previously opened up about his career journey in his memoir "Roll the Calls," which Felo covered on September 20, 2026 (<a href="/news/ari-emanuel-memoir">Ari Emanuel Reveals How He Became Hollywood’s Top Agent</a>).
Sources
- [1] insider.com — originally reported as “Hollywood exec Ari Emanuel says he treats his to-do list like a 'contract' with himself”
