Tim Ferriss' Morning Routine

The routine begins before you even wake up—by placing your phone in airplane mode the night before. This simple act ensures you won't be bombarded with notifications, emails, or news the moment you open your eyes.

"When you wake up, you're in a transitional state, and you're very susceptible to influence," Ferriss warns. "Start your day with your agenda, not someone else's."

By maintaining airplane mode for the first 60 minutes of your day, you protect your mental state from external influences and preserve your ability to set your own priorities.

The first active task in Ferriss' routine is deceptively simple: make your bed. This small accomplishment creates what he calls "a small domino effect of wins."

"If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day," Ferriss explains, echoing advice from Navy SEAL Admiral William McRaven. "It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task, and another, and another."

This simple three-minute investment kicks off a cascade of productivity that extends throughout the day.

Meditation forms the cornerstone of Ferriss' morning practice. He typically uses guided meditation apps or specific techniques like Transcendental Meditation or Vipassana.

"I find that meditation is like navigating a spacecraft," Ferriss says. "You're constantly getting knocked off course and pulling yourself back on. That practice helps you notice when you're getting pulled into the vortex of distraction during the day."

Even five minutes of mindful breathing can dramatically reduce anxiety and increase focus, though Ferriss often extends his sessions to 10-20 minutes for deeper benefits.

Next comes a brief but effective physical awakening: 10-15 push-ups or another simple exercise that gets the blood flowing.

"I'm not trying to get a workout in," Ferriss clarifies. "I'm trying to change my state." This quick burst of activity raises your heart rate, increases oxygen flow to the brain, and triggers the release of mood-enhancing hormones.

The goal isn't exhaustion but activation—turning on your physical systems and creating a clear break between sleep and wakefulness.

Ferriss' signature "Titanium Tea" combines various teas (typically pu-erh, green, and turmeric) with coconut oil or MCT oil and sometimes other supplements.

"It's a way to get fat-soluble nutrients and caffeine in a time-released fashion," Ferriss explains. Unlike coffee, which can spike energy and then lead to crashes, his tea concoction provides sustained focus without jitters.

The preparation process itself serves as a mindful ritual—a moment of calm attentiveness that bridges meditation and the day's work ahead.

The final component of Ferriss' morning routine involves capturing thoughts on paper. He alternates between several journalling techniques, including:

• Morning Pages: Three pages of stream-of-consciousness writing
• Five-Minute Journal: Structured prompts focused on gratitude and intention setting
• Fear-Setting: Identifying and addressing concerns before they become overwhelming

"When you write down your thoughts, you separate yourself from them," Ferriss notes. "Journalling helps me trap my monkey mind on paper so it's not setting my agenda for the day."

This practice helps clear mental clutter, identify priorities, and establish intention before diving into the day's responsibilities.