A seemingly popular ice-breaker or get-to-know-you question to ask others has always been whether or not they are a morning person or a night owl. There are stark contrasts between the two. Any individual who would lump themselves in to either category has a tendency to display very similar characteristics and personality traits as others who share their inclination. Thousands of experiments have been done over the years to determine just what makes a person prefer mornings or evenings. Is it their personality that shapes the preference or is it the preference that shapes the personality. It can become a real 'chicken versus the egg' debate.
Studies show that a morning person, also known as a Lark, has a tendency to be physically healthier, more goal-oriented, have a lower risk for depression, is a proactive individual, and overall more cooperative. It's interesting that Lark's display these characteristics because of what a Sunrise signifies. When the Sun is rising once again in the early hours of each morning one can get a sense of new beginnings. Yesterday is gone and a fresh start is now upon us. This brings hope and optimism to those who are present and awake to see the gradual shift from dark to light. It's no wonder morning people display traits that coincide with this new chance each day.
Sunrises provide an opportunity to look forward and to think ahead. It's a time for dreamers to dream and a moment for positive affirmations. There's a good chance that the bedside table of a morning person will contain some sort of morning devotional or motivational book full of positive thoughts for one to ponder before getting out of bed.
So how does a partiality towards a Sunrise play a role in business? Restaurant owners who need to be open and prepared to serve hungry patrons in the wee hours of the morning show a dedication and drive in which not all people are known. Investment bankers that wake up before the general populace so that they can research what the stock markets of foreign exchanges accomplished while they were asleep have a commitment to success and a work-ethic that not many can match. Those individuals who relentlessly and continually rise with the Sun display a tenacity that matches the Sun's determination to climb high in to the sky each and every day.
Night owls demonstrate a much different disposition and psyche. They are impulsive, rank higher in memory tests, are more creative, display an eagerness to explore the unknown, and are more prone to developing bad habits. Again, many of these traits have a direct correlation to the Sun making it's daily descent. A Sunset signifies finality. The day is done, gone, and over. Whether it was filled with successes or failures there's nothing more that can be added or taken away.
It's not surprising that night owls are known to rank higher in memorization. Late night study sessions go on each and every evening at educational institutions across the world. There is a lot to be said about the brain's ability to absorb and retain information in a dark, secluded library, or dimly lit room. If you pay attention to the habits of artists and musicians most of them find it much easier to access the creative recesses of their minds in drab or gloomy studios.
How then does an inclination towards the love of Sunsets factor in to your corporate acumen? Sunsets signify an opportunity to be introspective. They afford you a moment in time to reflect back on what has already occurred and learn the lessons of the past even if those lessons were just taught to you the previous day. What better way to prepare for the future by looking back at previous successes or failures to garner an appreciation for what we've learned.
Regardless of which daily astronomical earthly occurrence you find yourself more attracted to there are also some similarities between the two opposite sunshine spectrum's. Sunrises and sunsets are both breathtakingly beautiful. There simply isn't an argument that could sway anyone in to thinking otherwise. No matter the personality types associated with the rising and setting Sun, any individual can be emotionally touched by the wondrous and heavenly display of emerging or dissipating sunlight. One other significant connection between the day beginning and the day ending is the decreased commotion in which we can become so desensitized.
As entrepreneurs or small business owners it's not often we get free time throughout our day to quiet our minds. Another parallel between the Sun's rising and it's setting is that it comes with a sense of peace and calmness that no other time of day can provide. It can almost seem as if time stands still when one chooses to watch a sunrise or sunset to it's completion. Whether you would classify yourself as a morning person or a night owl, everyone can appreciate the stillness of dusk and dawn.
So, are you future forward or thoughtful and reflective? Do you run your life and business to mirror a sunrise or a sunset? What personality traits do you contribute to your early-to-rise attitude, or late-to-bed identity? The Sun is a powerful force and the beginning of life for most living creatures including human beings. It establishes weather patterns, seasons, animal migration habits and has an enormous impact on individual emotions and a persons idiosyncrasy's whether their conscious of that fact or not.
The next time you find yourself in a position to enjoy a sunrise or sunset, pause for a moment to ponder what the rising or setting sun says about you and how you handle your daily life. Are you a morning person or a night owl? Why are you attracted to one or the other? If you meditate hard enough on the subject you may end up unlocking some hidden reasons behind what makes you work as hard as you do, or discover the explanation behind why you are so driven to succeed.