Anyone who knows me personally knows how many hours I put in at the office. More often than not, most of my weeks include an all nighter or two, sometimes up to 4 in a row. So I often get asked “How do you do it? How can you work so many hours and keep productive?” Here are a few tips I’ve picked up over the last few years.
Motivation: You really have to be passionate and care about what you are doing to pull an all nighter. In non-profit it’s easy, constantly keep yourself surrounded with whatever reminds you of that. In corporate this can be hard, often you are being required to pull an all nighter to finish a project, if that’s the case then, make it fun. It’s easier to pull an all nighter if you can convince some of your coworkers to do it with you.
Keep Active: The hardest parts of staying up all night is fighting off drowsiness. Set an alarm for every 20 or 30 minutes to do push ups, crunches or even taking a few minute walk. It’ll keep you alert and help fight off the sluggish feeling you’re going to have from not resetting your biological clock.
Snacks and Beverages: I really want to say that you should pick out healthy snacks like nuts, berries, veggies and stick away from caffeine but more often than not, I retreat to quick caffeine and sugar fix. I personally turn to sugar free energy drinks so I don’t crash but I highly recommend teas and coffee since they are natural. But once again, if you are doing this with friends, getting some pizza and caffeine always seems ideal for the atmosphere. I’d suggest sticking away from alcohol tho, it’ll break your concentration and make you more tired. Go healthy if you can…
Atmosphere and Zone: Be a good DJ and don’t let the music stop. Depending on the project and the level of concentration you need, put on the music you commonly use to hit your work zone. After awhile I usually put on a movie or documentary to help keep my mind engaged and mix it up. Comedy CD’s or movies are usually great for keeping you awake and smiling.
The Day After: So you’ve now made it through the night, you’re noticing that you’re irritable and a little drowsy. I usually put up an away notice on chat that says I’ve been up all night. It gives everyone a little heads up that you might be a little out of it. I’d encourage you to continue to use some of the same efforts you used to stay awake all night. This will help you make it through the day, but you should really prepare a ride home for yourself or to immediately sleep once you’re home.
Lastly, Know Your Body: Not sleeping for a few days can really hit you hard. I often notice some of the same repeating effects on my body. Overall, if you feel too unhealthy, then don’t pull all nighters. It’s not worth being in an accident or hurting your health. If you must, then here are some of the common things I usually feel:
Headaches: these are pretty common and are usually associated with wearing glasses or contacts, this usually passes after awhile. Naps usually help if it doesn’t.
Sick to the stomach: This is fairly common but usually passes a few hours after I should be asleep.
Hungry or No appetite: I’ve experience both of these, sudden need for more energy or absolutely no appetite all day. Either way I usually eat because I need refueled.
Lack of Concentration: This is common, so I utilized some of the same steps I used to keep awake or work on tasks that are more mindless till it passes. Taking short breaks usually helps as well.
Ups and Downs: Depending on what I eat and the natural rush of the job, I usually experience some up and downs throughout the day. I’ve learn to just be very quiet those days, so my mood isn’t really effecting anyone’s work flow.
Gosh, I love photographing puppies but they are a handful! :) If you live in Los Angeles, consider adopting one of these rescue dogs!!! www.roverrescue.com
Just got back from a camping trip to the desert and meeting up with a few friends in Vegas. Vegas was pretty, but by no means as pretty as the desert. I’m yearning for another adventure already….
With all darkness there is light at the end of the tunnel.
I recently had the opportunity to help a friend out with a new non-profit she is working on. The organization, createACTivity, will help fund organizations that provide surgery to children with Noma. Noma is an infection caused by lack of nutrition and unsanitary water, mostly effecting populations in Africa. If anyone would like to get involved, please contact either FacingAfrica.org or creativeACTivity.org. As you can see in the before and after pictures, these organizations will help provide a life changing surgery to children in need.
“Among those patients that received a facial reconstruction is a little girl 10 years of old named Mistekema. Mistekema has a very extreme case of Noma, probably one of the worst I have seen. Her picture is above. At the time she was found, she was living with her guardian. Because of the severity of Mistekema’s disease she was abandoned by her family and left to survive on her own. I am ecstatic to announce that because of the donations Mistekema now no longer has a large gap in her face and has the opportunity to live a more comfortable and functional life.” -creatACTivity.org
I’ve been taking photos for Rover Rescue for awhile now. They are an organization that helps rescues dogs out of overcrowded shelters in the Southbay area of Los Angeles. I know these aren’t the best I’ve taken, but I picked out a few where the dogs were really expressing emotions.
BTW, these little guys are up for adoption, so please consider adopting one at www.roverrescue.com. They need a good home…
So given the opportunity, I went crazy with some colors on a booklet we recently sent to our Chapters here at LiNK. Brights 80’s colors are back in, not sure for how long but I started developing this style last summer into my personal work and finally have integrated some of it into LiNK’s work. A big challenge for us is making sure that Chapters hold onto these books and don’t get lost on their dorm room desks, thus bright colors and integrating a poster into it should help.
2010 will be a big year for Liberty in North Korea! With a goal of raising $250,000 next year to help rescue 100 refugees out of underground southeast Asia, LiNK has begun the holiday season with a goal to raise the first $50,000. Accompanied with a staged release of videos, I designed and coded the TheHundred holiday campaign website to provide a landing page for our marketing efforts. Please take a few minutes to visit the website and learn more about the North Korea crisis. :)
After spending the last 6 years of my creative life behind a computer, I’m looking for the little inspirations and opportunities, big and small, to just create by hand. I started a postcard writing bond with a handful of friends and have now begun creating hand made and mixed technique postcards. Here are some hand colored b&w photo collage postcards I sent out this week.
Are you creative and want to exchange some postcards? Let me know :)
Thanks to @causecast for hosting an awesome Holiday Party this past Thursday. It was really great to meet some other non-profits in the LA area. Everyone check out www.causecast.org!
