I didn’t come up with the idea*. I’m not the first 8pm Warrior and definitely not the only one.
It is a fascinating tribe and I enjoy learning about what drives leaders to work while others play, chase dreams while others sleep, and push on when others quit.
My fellow 8pm Warriors are some of the best people I know.
How do you find one? Since I write this blog in the evenings (and you’re reading it), the easiest place to find an 8pm Warrior is by looking in the mirror.
However, it doesn’t have to be a lonely path. If you’re up this evening learning, growing, pushing, and planning, you are definitely not alone.
When looking for other 8pm Warriors, you’ll probably know one when you meet one. However, I thought it would be fun to have a guide. Just in case you can’t tell, I wrote this blog post for 12most.com about common traits to look for. I think you’ll enjoy it.
I wrote it with you in mind.
12 Most Common Characteristics of 8pm Warrior Leaders
Let me know what you think in the comment section. Did I miss one? List one too many? What should be #13?
Have a great night!
Aaron@Biebert
*An 8pm Warrior is someone who uses the evening or early morning hours to work on a project they love. This includes, but is not limited to leaders, entrepreneurs, teachers, designers, artists, writers, or any other person who is passionate about their work and doesn’t confine themselves to a 9 to 5 schedule.
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I love writing at night. There is so much silence. As weird as it sounds, I can hear that silence, it gives me comfort. I can then watch my thoughts unfold before me, as if they were a movie playing out before my eyes. At night, it is calm, quiet (where I am ) empty of distraction from the everyday busyness that goes on. The craziness that drives people to rush about like chicken with their head cut off, never stopping to smell the roses. I mean, “haste makes waste” right?
At night, all that is over and there are moments of complete peace, in order to conjure up creativity. I look forward to what the ‘8pm Warrior’ has to say next, it reminds of the silence of the night, peaceful.
Robert, I couldn’t agree more. Writing at night (or very early morning) is much more focused and quiet.
It’s a great time to focus on what you love.
I appreciate your comment. Glad to see I’m not the only one who loves writing at night.
Congrats Aaron on your 12 Most guest blogging…Very proud of you.
Cheri, thanks for your comment on that blog post and for always being so sweet! :-)
I love my job, so please don’t take this the wrong way, but I love my blog way more. Writing has always been my passion. As a journalist, I wrote every day. I was writing on someone else’s terms (and clock), but I was writing. As a professor, I teach others to love the craft, but I don’t get to do writing that makes me feel creative and energized. Prof KRG and my personal blog allow me to take my love of writing and my knowledge of the industry and combine them. There has never been a time when I didn’t have an idea for a blog post or want to be writing. I love it! And it’s so wonderful when someone tells you that they learned from your post or it helped them in some way. To me, that’s what being an 8 p.m. Warrior is about. It’s about loving what you do all day, but loving the job you do after hours just as much or even more.
Great post, Aaron!
Kenna, I love writing too and your comment is wonderful to read. Thank you!
I think you hit the nail on the head. It’s about loving what you do. That’s the only way it’s sustainable.
Thanks for the thoughts and encouragement!
Just wanted to say that I could relate to much of this. There is such joy to be found in writing.
I added number 13. If you don’t have number 13, you’re wasting your time. [grin]
Stan, I liked it so much that I want to repost your comment here:
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13. Love
Because true leadership is about love. In Strength to Love,
Martin Luther King, Jr. writes:
“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.”
Where a leader stands depends on his or her love for life, the world, and others. Love also determines the destination. If he or she is about himself or herself, their position changes often according to circumstance. Also, their destinations. But those that love can face ten thousand challenges and overcome them in service to those he or she loves and the destination which dignifies and uplifts that which is loved.
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Stan, thank you so much for that. I think love is key. I think I should have included it. Thanks!
Ok so I am like 2 days behind got caught up helping again.. but isn’t this part of what an 8pm worrier does.. love the post & most definitely Award winning material.. Happy Follow Friday my friend
Glad to have you join in on the discussion. I really appreciate the support and encouragement.
Made my day!
very appreciated for your support to over on twitter & Fb any #thingy just buzz me or #KloutMe
Two things:
1.) I love that you end your posts with “have a good night!”
2.) Dig the concept of an 8pm warrior. Though I’m sitting here, having worked on two of my websites whilst people question my work habits… I’d call myself a midnight warrior, heh.
Ricardo, thanks man.
I’m really glad you relate. It’s nice to know that there are others out there. Here we are and it’s 1am over here and we’re still growing, learning, thinking.
Thanks for the encouragement and thoughts. I love it!