The Night Owl vs Early Bird Debate: Which One Leads to Greater Productivity?

When it comes to productivity, some believe that being an early bird is the way to go while others swear by being a night owl. However, recent studies have suggested that it might not be entirely up to personal preference, but rather genetics. Whichever the case may be, both preferences come with their fair share of strengths and weaknesses.

1. Early Birds are Persistent Perfectionists; Night Owls are Go-Getters

A study conducted by the University of Barcelona revealed that morning people tend to be more persistent and less likely to experience fatigue, frustration, and difficulties. In contrast, night owls are more likely to indulge in extravagance, impulsiveness, and novelty-seeking. While early birds seek stability in their lifestyle, night owls seek adventure during the late hours.

2. Early Birds Wake Up With Smiles; Night Owls with Frowns

Morning persons tend to welcome the morning sun with a big smile on their face, greeting their mornings with a positive attitude. On the other hand, night owls are more likely to hit the snooze button a number of times before finally getting up, and when they do, they tend to do so grudgingly.

3. Early Birds Are Proactive; Night Owls are Smarter

An intelligence test involving mathematics, reading comprehension, working memory, and processing speed conducted on 420 participants revealed that evening types had better scores. However, early birds tend to work during the hours that fit the world of commerce, making them more likely to succeed.

4. Early Birds like Tea; Night Owls like Alcohol

Early birds are more likely to consume tea, while night owls are more likely to consume caffeine from coffee and cola. In addition, night owls are more likely to indulge in alcohol and nicotine as they tend to frequent the night life scene.

5. Early Birds are Creative during Night Hours; Night Owls are Creative in Morning Hours

Night owls and morning birds have their bursts of creativity during their “off hours”. According to a study conducted in 2011 by Mareike Wieth and Rose Zacks, insightful problems that required creative thinking were better solved during non-optimal hours.

6. Early Birds are Older; Night Owls are Younger

According to a study, older people tend to be early birds while younger people tend to enjoy late night bedtimes due to the expression of circadian genes.

7. Early Birds Love Breakfast; Night Owls Love Dinner

Early birds tend to wake up in the morning and eat a healthy breakfast, while night owls tend to skip breakfast and have larger meals during late hours.

In conclusion, being an early bird or night owl is not necessarily indicative of greater productivity. Each preference comes with a unique set of strengths and weaknesses. Therefore, it’s essential to understand which one suits you best and make the most of it.