Some days I lament it, but I often get my best ideas in the middle of the night. As a person blessed with a flexible schedule, I’m usually okay with that. for example as I write this, I just finished a major project, it is almost four a.m. I’m grateful that I went to bed early last night and I am about to go back to bed for a few hours. I went to bed thinking about this project, and woke up realizing exactly how the elements should come together. When the idea would no longer let me sleep, I got up and started writing. Now there are a few things to be considered.
First, I know that my flexible schedule is unique and not everyone can do this. I also know that idea induced insomnia is very real for creative people. If you don’t have a flexible schedule, I recommend having a way to quickly capture your idea so you can get it down and go back to sleep.
Second, if you are someone who gets late night inspiration, get yourself to bed earlier, so at least you have a few hours sleep under your belt when inspiration strikes. Your body needs rest. Some creatives (including myself back in the day) seem to take a great deal of pride in their ability to go without sleep. Remember what the Bible says, pride comes before a fall. Take care of your body and give it the rest it needs.
Third, I am under no illusion that when I am this tired that my work will be flawless. When I wake up, I will revisit my work and likely end up editing it quite a bit.
In all honesty, the amount and quality of the late night ideas I get is such that I tend to believe the Lord is involved in what is happening here. As such I take these ideas very seriously and want to make sure I record them if at all possible, but once again I remind us all that our bodies need rest. Remember the Lord instituted Sabbath in the Old Testament and enforced it with a death penalty, probably because He knew if He didn’t we would work ourselves to death. People who say they work best under pressure are likely just trying to excuse their own procrastination. The best way to do what we do is to bring our best to the project every day, and getting the rest we need. I thank God for our late night sessions, but I also realize He prescribes rest for us as well. And with that, I am going to bed.
AMOKArts 