I’m A Night Owl (And Proud Of It)

I am so tired of hearing how early risers are more productive than night owls. That’s not true. Not in my case, anyway.

I’m a night owl – and proud of it. Why? Because despite having many say that my sleeping habits make me less likely to achieve, I prove them wrong. I don’t just do that every once in a while. I do it every single day.

I also know that I’m not alone. In fact, I asked my readers the following:

“What do you more closely identify with…being an early riser or a night owl?”

Out of the 27 respondents (a small sample, to be sure), 70% identified as night owls. That’s a huge majority.

Other studies have shown that early risers and night owls trade spots as the majority, but there has been no conclusive evidence saying that one group exists more than another. So why do we see so many resources out there catering to early birds and not night owls? I believe that early rising is generally associated with prosperity. This quote is just one example of that:

“The early bird gets the worm.”

The world also caters to early risers more. School starts before 9 a.m. in most parts of North America, which aligns better with those who fare better in the mornings than those who fare better in the evening. What does that mean? Morning people tend to do better in school as a result, which naturally paints night owls in a more negative light.

But more research is emerging that suggests that night owls aren’t necessarily less fortunate than those who take on the mornings with vigor. I’ve seen more of these studies pop up because I’m always looking for ways to defend my sleeping habits.

As a matter of fact, here’s a video that demonstrates the power of late night productivity.

If you’re more productive later in the day than earlier in the day, be proud. (I’ll be the loud one for you if need be.) Because while the early bird gets the worm, it’s the second mouse that gets the cheese.