Helping nightlife teams to empower workers with wellbeing support.
Thrive at Night provides mental health and wellbeing support to Night Time Economy (NTE) workforce in Bristol, through resources, training, peer support and trauma response support sessions.
Maximizing Productivity: A Guide to Building Effective Plans for Night Owls
Are you someone who thrives during the late hours of the night rather than the early morning? Do you find yourself more productive, creative, and focused when the rest of the world is asleep?
If so, you’re likely a night owl. While society often caters to early birds, there are plenty of strategies you can employ to optimize your productivity and make the most of your preferred nocturnal work schedule.
Here’s a guide to help you build effective plans and work routines as a night owl:
1️⃣ Understand Your Natural Rhythms: Embrace your biological predisposition and acknowledge that your peak productivity hours occur during the nighttime. Recognize that your body and mind function differently from those who are more active in the morning. By understanding and accepting your natural rhythms, you can align your work schedule accordingly.
2️⃣ Set Clear Goals: Define your objectives and tasks before you start working. Establishing clear goals will help you stay focused and motivated throughout the night. Break down your tasks into manageable chunks, prioritize them based on importance and urgency, and create a roadmap to guide your work.
3️⃣ Create a Nighttime Routine: Establish a consistent routine that signals to your mind and body that it’s time to transition into work mode. This could include activities like dimming the lights, listening to calming music, or engaging in a short meditation session. By following a consistent routine, you can train your mind to shift into a productive state during your preferred work hours.
4️⃣ Optimize Your Workspace: Design an environment that supports your productivity during the night. Ensure your workspace is well-lit with appropriate lighting, organize your tools and materials for easy access, and minimize distractions that could disrupt your focus. Make your workspace comfortable and conducive to your nighttime work style.
“I’m a night owl, and luckily my profession supports that. The best ideas come to me in the dead of night.” – Josh Fox, American film Director
5️⃣ Prioritize Self-Care: Taking care of your physical and mental well-being is crucial, regardless of your preferred work schedule. Prioritize sleep during the day to ensure you’re well-rested and able to work efficiently at night. Incorporate regular exercise, healthy meals, and breaks into your routine to maintain your overall health and well-being.
6️⃣ Communicate and Collaborate: If you’re working in a team or collaborating with others, make sure to communicate your work preferences and schedule. Let your colleagues know about your productive hours and ensure that you have effective means of communication during your work time. Clear communication will help manage expectations and ensure a smooth workflow.
“Basically, I am a night owl. My wife is an early bird, so she goes to bed around 9:30, and my kids are in bed at about 8. So, if I am home, I will usually start writing at about 9:30 and go till about 12:30 or 1:30, depending on what my energy level is.” – Barack Obama, 44th U.S. President
7️⃣ Find Your Focus: Nighttime often offers a quieter and less distracting environment. Capitalize on this by identifying the times when your focus is at its peak. Allocate these hours for tasks that require deep concentration or creative thinking. Minimize interruptions by turning off notifications and creating boundaries with others.
8️⃣ Take Breaks Wisely: Breaks are essential for maintaining productivity and preventing burnout. Plan short breaks during your work sessions to recharge and refresh your mind. Use this time to stretch, hydrate, or engage in activities that help you relax and rejuvenate. Just be mindful not to let breaks become excessively long or disrupt your workflow.
Remember, everyone has their own unique working style, and being a night owl doesn’t make you any less productive or successful. By embracing your natural tendencies and implementing strategies that cater to your nocturnal productivity, you can make the most of your nighttime work schedule and achieve your goals. Embrace the power of being a night owl and unlock your full potential during the quiet hours of the night!
Introducing a New Partnership
Bristol Nights and The Burnt Chef Project will deliver Wellbeing Champion Training for Bristol’s hospitality businesses, starting on Wednesday 29th November.
The Burnt Chef Project is a not-for-profit Social Enterprise, fully committed to making the hospitality profession healthier and more sustainable by focusing on people’s wellbeing first. Through this partnership, they will contribute their expertise in mental health support and training.
Explore our Thrive at Night workshops and see how to provide a holistic approach to wellbeing from a personal and professional perspective.
Upcoming Workshops
NEW! The Burnt Chef Project Wellbeing Champion training for NTE workers
November 29, 2023
This 3 hour course aims to help Bristol’s night time businesses and teams learn skills to become Wellbeing Champions for the night time sector.
NEW! The Burnt Chef Project Wellbeing Champion training for NTE workers
January 9, 2024
This 3 hour course aims to help Bristol’s night time businesses and teams learn skills to become Wellbeing Champions for the night time sector.
FOR TEAM MEMBERS
Download our workbook which offers practical advice to work through some of the challenges you may face and common events that occur in the nighttime economy. Find signposting for support of all kinds, get practical advice from our workbook, conquer nighttime economy challenges with training, and connect with relevant groups through our support page signpost groups, peer networks and resources for your organisation.
DOWNLOAD THE THRIVE AT NIGHT TEAM MEMBERS WORKBOOK
FOR MANAGERS
Ready to champion the wellbeing of your team? These resources and our handbook is your toolkit for success in designing a wellbeing response for your workplace. From crisis management to fostering a culture of support, our training covers common events that you and your team experience. Join our sessions in 2023 – take a look at the calendar for upcoming dates. Let’s design and support a healthier workplace together!
DOWNLOAD THE THRIVE AT NIGHT MANAGERS HANDBOOK
