Should you Work at Day or Night for Better Productivity?

Are you more productive and creative in the morning, or do your best ideas come to life under the stars? In this episode of The Underdog Protagonist, we explore the timeless debate between morning and night workflows and how they impact creativity and productivity.

From the freshness of early mornings to the calm focus of late nights, I’ll dive into the science and share personal insights as a self-proclaimed night owl, and provide actionable tips to help you optimize your creative flow. Whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, this episode will guide you in embracing what works best for your unique energy and focus.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro
01:04 Why the day of time matters?
03:00 Pros and cons of morning workflows
04:45 Pros and cons of night workflows
06:00 Figuring out your creative peak
07:52 Tips to optimize your workflow
09:36 Are mornings better or nights? 
10:05 Outro

About Pk:
Pratyush has been a designer for almost 6 years. He started YouTube to share his knowledge and establish a connection between design and business. He believes that knowledge grows by sharing and he wants to do just that. He wants to help fellow freelancers and content creators make a profitable career.

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Chapters

• 0:00 Intro
• 1:04 Why the day of time matters?
• 3:00 Pros and cons of morning workflows
• 4:45 Pros and cons of night workflows
• 6:00 Figuring out your creative peak?
• 7:52 Tips to optimize your workflow
• 9:36 Are mornings better or nights?
• 10:05 Outro

Transcript

Hello, everyone. I'm Pratyush, and you're listening to the underdog protagonist. This podcast is for those who want to take ownership of their lives. Today, we're diving into a topic that every creative has probably debated at some point. And that is, are you more productive and creative in the morning or do you thrive at night?

This episode is all about exploring the differences between morning night workflows and how they affect creativity and which one might work better for you. Spoiler alert, there's no one size fits all answer, but understanding your natural rhythm can make a world of difference in how you approach your work and your projects. I'll also share some insights from research, personal experiences, and practical tips to help you optimize your workflow, whether you're an early bird or a night owl. So settle into your cozy spot, grab a tea or coffee, and let's start this episode. Just for you guys to have some context, let me tell you that I am a night owl.

My creativity just flows better when I'm working at night as opposed to working in the daytime. And I have tried working in different situations, different conditions numerous times to test this theory whether daytime works better than nighttime. But every time, I have proven myself that nighttime is the best for me. So let's start by understanding why the day of time matters so much when it comes to creativity. Well, a lot of it comes down to your circadian rhythm, the natural internal clock that governs your energy levels throughout the day.

For some people, energy peaks in the morning while others hit their stride as the sun goes down. But here's the catch, creativity doesn't depend on energy. It also depends on focus and how easily your brain can slip into the flow, or in other words, the zone. That's why some people feel sharper and more inspired when the world is quiet at night, while others find that a fresh start of a morning sparks their ideas. As I've mentioned before, I have tried both.

In some mornings, I have felt unstoppable when I sit down with my coffee and the ideas just start flowing effortlessly. But there are nights when the world is calm, distractions are minimal, and I feel like I can create without limits. And that, in my case, has happened in most of the scenarios and that is why I trust my night workflows more than the days. Let me ask you this when you feel your best ideas come to you, Hold on to that thought as we explore the pros and cons of each workflow. Firstly, let's talk about morning workflows.

Here are a few reasons why mornings are often associated with high productivity and creativity. Point number 1. Mental freshness. After a good night's sleep, your brain is well rested and ready to tackle complex tasks. This is especially helpful for brainstorming, problem solving, or tasks that require more focus.

Point number 2, fewer distractions. Early in the morning, the world is quieter. Fewer emails, fewer notifications, and a clearer mind to focus on what matters the most. Point number 3, momentum of the day. Starting strong in the morning can set the tone for the rest of your day.

So if you're starting with a positive mindset throughout the rest of the day, you will feel optimistic and positive. But mornings aren't for everyone. If you're not a morning person, forcing yourself to create at 6 AM might feel like pulling teeth, and that's okay. Because creativity is not about the clock. It's about what works for you.

For me, mornings are great for structured work. If I need to plan, outline, or start something new, mornings are my go to. But I'll admit, there are times when mornings feel a little too structured for free flowing creativity. And as a designer, I want my creativity to flow more so that I can create better and hence the designs convert better. And just because of that, with time, I started to lean more towards the night work shifts instead of these.

Now let's shift gears to night workflows. Night owls, this is your moment. Here's why nights can be a creative powerhouse. Point number 1, freedom from distractions. At night, the world quiets down.

There's something magical about that stillness. It creates a space where your thoughts can roam freely. Point number 2, unstructured thinking. Unlike mornings, which can feel rushed or task oriented, nights allow for a more relaxed, open ended approach to creativity. Point number 3, the peak of energy.

For natural night owls, energy and focus may peak late in the evening, making it the perfect time for deep work. And I have to admit, there's something inspiring about late night work. Some of my favorite ideas have come when I'm sitting at my desk, surrounded by quiet with nothing but my thoughts and a playlist to keep me company. But if you ask about the downside, this is it. Your sleep schedule might be disrupted, which might hurt productivity in the long run.

Now that we have understood about morning and night workflows, we need to figure out if you're a morning or a night creative. Here is a quick exercise to try to figure that out. Number 1, track your energy levels. For 1 week, write down when you feel most energized, focused, and creative. Look for patterns.

Are you sharpest in the early hours, or do you hit the stride later in the day? Number 2, experiment. Dedicate a morning or a night to deep creative work. See which feels more natural and productive to you. Point number 3, listen to your body.

Your energy levels may change based on your routine, so adapt as needed. And here is the most important part, embrace what works for you. Don't try to force yourself into a creative or night workflow just because it works for someone else. Your creativity is unique, and your workflow should reflect that. Many celebrities, successful personalities have said this time to time that wake up early in the morning before everyone is awake and start your work so that you're 2 steps ahead than others, and build discipline around that schedule so that your consistent work bears some fruit at the end.

But what they don't tell you that you need to figure out what works for you. Not everyone can wake up early in the morning and start their work with a fresh mindset. Some people tend to go into the zone later in the night, and some people have the focus when they wake up early in the morning. Now that we have figured out whether we are a morning person or a night owl, we need a few tips to optimize a workflow. Use any of these so that no matter when you start your work or go into the creative zone, you are always at the peak and perform better.

For morning creatives, start with a ritual. Coffee, journaling, or even a quick walk to wake up your brain. Once you get the start, go into your work and let the energy and the flow take you through the day. Prioritize your hardest tasks first when your focus is sharpest. And finally, limit distractions.

Avoid checking your emails or your social media until after your creative work. If you feel like there's something important that needs to be addressed, try to postpone that at least for an hour. And within that time, let your focus do its job, work to your peak, and then spare that time for checking those emails and social media. Now for my night buddies, set the mood. Use calming music, dim lighting, or a cozy workspace to get into the zone.

But most importantly, protect your sleep. Set a cutoff time for work so that you don't sacrifice rest. Use the quiet to your advantage. The stillness is very potent to explore ideas without interruptions. And here you have it.

Check what works for you and double down on that. At the end of the day, the real question isn't whether mornings or nights are better. It's about finding your flow. Creativity does not follow a clock. It follows your energy, focus, and passion.

So what works best for you? Are you an early bird who thrives in the morning light? Or do your best ideas come to life under the stars? Let me know on socials. I'd love to hear your thoughts and experiences on the same.

I really hope that this helped you reflect on your own workflow and inspired you to embrace what works best for you. If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe and share it with a fellow creative who might be curious about the topic. You can reach me out on social media and share your insights with me. The links to that can be found in the description or show notes of the podcast. Thanks for tuning in.

You are listening to The Underdog Protagonist, and I'll catch you in the next one. Until then, take care.