Endurance in working FULL TIME

Nikolas · Wed 11/10/2006 07:24:10

I was wondering how far can a human go. In terms of working.

I have a really tight schedule, until the 10th of November. A nightmare really. And all I'm wondering is this: Can I go on with little or no sleep for a month? Like writting music, taking care of kids, cleaning, cooking, not sleeping for somehting like 20 hours every day, including weekends? And if so (which I know that I can, I've tried it in the army), will the results be acceptable or rubbish. Cause while, as I've said, I've stayd awake and really tired for extended times (2 months) in the army, yet there was nothing realy to be asked of me. Just wake, get a gun with ammunition, go to the post, don't shoot anybody (there's no war), don't fall asleep. Morning run and so on... Generally things that need absolutely no thinking.

But here I'[m trying to do something marvelous (the tight schedule involves composing a large scale work).

I will try it of course, because I see little way out, so this isn't exactly for asking advice sort of post, but more of...discuss.

Nikolas off

Mikko · Wed 11/10/2006 09:46:51

My unprofessional advise would be: Do not do it.

You might manage it and probably you will, but I would see it only making it easier to fall into same kind of situation again after a while. My opinion is that it simply isn't healthy and it definately isn't enjoyable. Worst thing would be how this kind of pushing to limits would affect people around you.

Like you said it yourself when you don't have to do things that reguire thinking, it is acceptable. But I think that especially creative work will just suffer too much.

If there is any way to avoid this hectic month, try to do it. At least take it easy whenever you have change.

SSH · Wed 11/10/2006 10:22:38

Do what I've done for years: skip the cleaning and cooking bits

ManicMatt · Wed 11/10/2006 11:19:49

I agree with Mikko, and I'll also add that the lack of sleep may affect your ability to think properly, and as a result you won't be at your best.

voh · Wed 11/10/2006 11:24:27

I think I'm an evolutionary wonder, because I've been living on 4-5 hours a sleep per night since I was 15. That's 9 years and counting, now.

But it's not for everyone, I can attest to that. Friend of mine has to get 8-9 hours of sleep every single night or he'll be useless for 4 days in a row.

Do what your body tells you to do. It knows damn well what you need to do or need not do.

Babar · Wed 11/10/2006 17:29:55

You are asking if this affects your work, right?
When you starting working, does everything blur out except for what you are doing? Do you look up from your work and realise that it's been hours, and it's gone dark now? Or is it all tiresome drudgery that you can constantly get distracted from?

As long as you have regular periods of time (Once a week? Once a month?) where you can just knock out and sleep for 32 hours straight, I'm thinking it's very easily doable. Not recommending that you should actually do or not do that, though.

There was a period of where I was sleeping only 3 or 4 hours a day, it was peoples' job to wear me down, I would knock out when I was supposed to sit around doing nothing (lectures

), but when I sat down in front of a PC to do some work, I was suddenly vitalised, and could go on for 2 to 3 hours at a time without noticing. I came back home once a month where I unfortunately slept most of the time, and I'm enormously happy that it's over, but it can be done.

SSH · Wed 11/10/2006 17:36:49

Quote from: voh on Wed 11/10/2006 11:24:27
Do what your body tells you to do. It knows damn well what you need to do or need not do.

I tried that once. My case is in court next week....

voh · Wed 11/10/2006 17:37:48

It's a shame society doesn't always agree with one's body

Tuomas · Wed 11/10/2006 19:18:16

Unless you want to be tied up. Some people do.

Nikolas · Wed 11/10/2006 20:01:19

Quote from: Tuomas on Wed 11/10/2006 19:18:16
Unless you want to be tied up. Some people do.

I do! I actually do love being tied to a bed, with handcufs and the rest

Thanks guys

I'll give it a try and see. I am actually the type that can go on for hours, and also cna handle not sleeping, but am also worried about the results (in the work I mean). Either way, if things do turn ugly I can always have a nervous breakdown or something...

MillsJROSS · Thu 12/10/2006 15:58:32

I would do a quick research on google and find articles on the health risks of depriving yourself of sleep. Personally, I wouldn't do it...especially if I had kids. I'd work more just on time managment skills and try to get in as much as possible in an efficient manner.

-MillsJROSS

Haddas · Thu 12/10/2006 18:33:13

I know I do most my creative things when hallucinating or fading in and out because of lack of sleep.

InCreator · Sun 15/10/2006 13:34:47

In time, you will burn out. You WILL.

But during the race, you'll become much stronger, you'll see that you can actually handle it and it boosts both morale and endurance.
Of course, pay attention to your social behaviour - being tired all the time makes communicating with people super dangerous - and may break relationships.

I *do* suggest trying this, but only as long as you can handle it. You could find out alot about yourself you never knew. Your nerve system and mental wellfare takes a hit, and it may generate many wonderful and not-so-wonderful things. Like Haddas said, creativity is one sure thing that will change in ways. Because in such mental state, you will sense and see things differently, and your thoughts take unexpectable routes.
I see this more like an experiment I would conduct if I had no serious business to attend to. Like on vacation or calmer time of my life. If you have serious matters, it's not that good idea - you may mess things up.

If I don't sleep for a long time, I suddenly get into weird humorous mood. Everything feels very funny and myself is a natural born humorist. Something like those women who have few glasses of wine and start to laugh uncontrollably.

But remember one thing: If your body starts telling you to stop, do it immediately and give up on some of your load. Call in sick, sleep few days, etc.
Overworking experiments may cause hardcore signs, few times I went overboard... well, I became BLIND. Yes, few months with no more than 4 hours of sleep per night and 14 hour long workdays affected me enough to just on one nice day, someone turned off my "camera". I sat half an hour just shit scared!
It's quite easy to imagine how hardly I freaked out... though, I instantly went to... no, not doctor - bed and had a nice sleep. Next morning, everything was okay again. This has happened few times later too.

Best suggestion I can come up with: reserve yourself a resting time. One day or night in a week where you could sleep all you want to. Like 7+ hours. Then It'll be a cake walk.

Be careful.

Nikolas · Sun 15/10/2006 19:53:11

Actually found in Tescos some viatmin supplements which actually do work like a charm... Nothing bad or dangerous or anyhting weird.

One capsule a day (around noon when I start to get drowsy) and only 1 per day (cause I don't want to over do it really...) it keeps me up 'till 3-4 in the morning where I sleep.

Since both my kids are out from 09:00-15:00 in any emergency I can always get 5-6 hours of sleep then... :S

But at the moment things are working quite well, and my productivity has rised (mainly due to my need to work more...)

Thanks guys