Bird by Bird

This book by Anne Lamott has been genuinely recommended 3 times on Tim Ferriss. The people who vouched for it on air: Craig Mod, Tim Ferriss. It comes up in conversations about consciousness, exercise & strength, fasting, meditation & mindfulness, nutrition & diet. The earliest recommendation we indexed is from Jun 2021 and the most recent from Mar 2025. Every quote below is verbatim, attributed, and linked to the exact second it was said. Sourced expert opinion, not medical advice.

Anne Lamott gives her perspective on the art and work of writing. The title comes from a family story when her brother had to complete a report on birds. He put it off until the last minute and was overwhelmed. Her father counseled him saying they would take it, "Bird by bird, buddy. Just take it bird by bird."

• “that title is a reference to Bird by bird which I think you've talked about before yeah and Lamott of course Bird by Bird yeah I love that book”

  Why it counts as a recommendation: “yeah I love that book”
  Craig Mod · The Tim Ferriss Show · Mar 202501:02:48

  Said during "Craig Mod Returns, Epic Walks, The Art of Slowness, and More". The episode features Craig Mod: Writer, photographer, and independent publisher based in Japan; known for epic multi-week solo walks of Japan's old pilgrimage routes, his membership program, and books including Kissa by Kissa and Things Become Other Things (Random House). Craig Mod returns to detail his epic solo walks across Japan, his rules for radical presence, and a life-changing reunion with his birth mother.

• “Ann Lamott, who was the author of one of my favorite books. Bird by Bird on creative process.”

  Why it counts as a recommendation: “one of my favorite books”
  Tim Ferriss · The Tim Ferriss Show · Jan 202403:30:16

  Said during "How to Launch a Million-Dollar Business This Weekend, Noah Kagan (4K)". The episode features Noah Kagan: Founder/CEO of AppSumo (about $80M/year), former employee #30 at Facebook and #4 at Mint.com, YouTuber with a million subscribers, and author of Million Dollar Weekend. Noah Kagan and Tim Ferriss break down launching a million-dollar business in a weekend through asking, presales, and cheap validation.

• “bird by bird as one might say which is also one of my favorite books on the craft of writing and fiction”

  Why it counts as a recommendation: “which is also one of my favorite books on the craft of writing and fiction which is really also a great book on the craft of living”
  Tim Ferriss · The Tim Ferriss Show · Jun 202101:03:25

  Said during "Q&A with Tim, Exercise And Morning Routines, Holotropic Breathwork, and More | The Tim Ferriss Show". The episode features Tim Ferriss: Author, investor, and host of The Tim Ferriss Show, known for The 4-Hour Workweek and for interviewing world-class performers about their habits and routines. Here he flips the format to be the guest in a solo Q&A with his supporter group. Tim Ferriss answers fan questions on his morning and exercise routines, holotropic breathwork, self-compassion, meaning, and managing trauma.