Jeff Bezos’ Slothful Morning Routine and its Impact on Productivity Alternative title: How Slow Mornings Can Boost Creativity for Busy Professionals: The Case of Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos

Renowned entrepreneur Jeff Bezos doesn’t let his extensive list of responsibilities hinder his leisurely morning routine. The Amazon executive chairman, Blue Origin owner, and billionaire investor starts each day like many others: slowly scrolling through his smartphone while sipping coffee. This revelation left podcast host Lex Fridman in awe as he was speaking with the mogul during an interview recorded back in December 2023. “I’m not as productive as you might think I am,” Bezos clarified, admitting that following his slow-paced morning ritual doesn’t prevent him from accomplishing much throughout the day. Before heading to the gym for cardio and weightlifting sessions, he reads newspapers and engages in chitchat with his fiancé. According to an interview conducted at a 2018 event, Bezos wakes up early but hasn’t specified what time that is exactly. Similarly, Mark Cuban also prioritizes leisurely mornings, allowing himself roughly an hour after he initially checks his emails between 6:30 and 7:00 am to eat breakfast before working out again. While it may seem like a lazy or sluggish approach at first glance, taking time in the morning for stillness activities such as meditation or breathwork can actually result in increased energy levels, creativity, and focus, according to Geir Berthelsen, founder of The World Institute of Slowness. By doing nothing for 20 minutes every day after waking up, one’s mind becomes more creative when arriving at work, says the expert. Overloading mornings with tasks or interruptions is “probably the biggest loss of productivity,” Berthelsen added. If you want to make some extra cash outside your regular job, sign up for CNBC’s online course ‘How To Earn Passive Income Online’, where it explains different types of passive income streams and tips on how to get started while sharing real-life success stories as well. Additionally, subscribe to the newsletter from CNBC Make It that provides advice about work, money management, and life in general.