Steve Jobs, the co-founder of Apple and Pixar Animation Studios, was known for his innovative and driven personality.
His daily routine played a crucial role in his success, ultimately leading to him becoming one of the world's wealthiest and most influential people. From his morning routine to evening meditation and spiritual practice, Steve's routine was carefully crafted to maximize productivity and creativity.
Inside a day in the life of Steve Jobs
Key takeaways
- Steve Jobs woke up early and dressed the same way every day - thereby eliminating a repetitive cognitive task.
- His workday typically began at 9:00 a.m., with meetings taking up a significant portion of the day.
- He was known for being responsive, averaging over 100 email responses and ten phone calls daily.
- Jobs was renowned for taking walking meetings where he would make crucial decisions.
Mornings
Steve was an early riser, waking up at around 6:00 a.m. daily. He had a set outfit that he wore every day - a black mock turtleneck and blue jeans - to save time in deciding what to wear. After waking up, Steve would work for a bit before his children got up. He had a home office with a T1 connection to access his files and work from anywhere.
Afternoon
Steve's workday usually began around 9:00 a.m., with meetings taking up most of the day. On Mondays, he would have marathon meetings with the top ten executives at Apple, while Wednesdays were reserved for meetings with the marketing team. Steve also made time for emails, phone calls, and rehearsals for upcoming keynote presentations.
He was known for being responsive, averaging over 100 email responses and ten phone calls between Pixar and Apple daily. Steve also enjoyed walking meetings, which helped unite his outlook and perspective.
Evenings
In the evenings, Steve would have dinner with his family, which often included pasta with raw tomatoes and fresh corn from the garden. He was a fruitarian and had a strong interest in food, although, after his cancer diagnosis, he was encouraged to consume more protein and started eating sushi and eggs.
After dinner, Steve would take a walk with his wife Laurene and then listen to music, meditate, and practice spirituality. He would then tuck his son into bed before heading to bed himself around 10:00 p.m.
