There’s something magical about off hours.
When I delivered the New York Times, I’d start work at 1AM and finish around 4AM. Except on weekends, the neighborhood streets were deserted except for me and the guy who delivered the USA Today.
The homes on my ritzy neighborhood route were dark except for the uplighting in meticulously landscaped front yards and the motion lights that blinded me as I approached the porch. Everything else was bathed in shadows and silence.
The solitude was my favorite part. It was just me, the crickets and the late night Larry King radio show.
In middle school, we’d roller skate on the weekends up and down the ramps at Three River Stadium and across its acres of deserted parking lots. Then we’d glide across the bridge to downtown so we could fly through the abandoned streets. It was just us, the homeless guys, and a few unlucky commuters waiting for the bus. Echos from our skates and laughter would bounce off the empty office buildings.
Decades later, as a sales manager there were mornings (nights?) when I couldn’t sleep and I’d head into the office at 4AM. Those hours before everyone arrived were always productive. No phones, no emails. It was a pure uninterrupted time block of thought and action.
Other times, I worked second shift. When the daylight team left, it was like the entire facility would breathe a sigh of relief. Lights dimmed, patients slept, and customers relaxed as the frenetic pace from the day slipped away.
We all have the opportunity to explore the magic of off hours.
Financial independence and early retirement make it possible for some. Night and weekend shifts make it possible for others. Even youthful energy to pull all nighters makes it possible.
If you haven’t tried this, you are in for an experience you won’t want to miss.
Let me know how it goes.