On doing all-nighters.
If you can avoid them, avoid them, go to sleep and start again tomorrow.
These are some ideas if you can’t avoid them.
Pick a cut off time, it’s easier to push through if you know where the finish line is, and you’re better able to plan your time.
If you need to caffeinate, use decaf, it’s tempting to gulp the largest strongest cup of coffee you can find. But the danger of that is you might be a weak bet pretty much brain-dead. Sip your decaf, you get all of the ritual without giving your body too much of a shock.
Don’t rush. Take the task in front of you do it slowly and carefully, use the night energy it’s different from the day energy. All the chores and responsibilities are out of the way, all you have is this one task in front of you.
Reward yourself for completing stages. Take a small snack or do 10 minutes of exercise or take a shower. These mini rewards motivate you to keep
Think about the minimum you need to get done and focus on that first.
Use a focus pad, a sheet of paper that is the only distraction you’re allowed, if you get distracted, write what’s distracting you down then get back on task.
And if you need to do an all nighter, you probably should stop reading this right about now.
🎟 And if you’re a paid subscriber, here’s a couple more thoughts and some behind the scenes
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Ten Minute Artist: Daily Creative Joy to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.