“I’m never any good in the morning. It is only after four in the afternoon that I get going.”
- January 8, 1942 – March 14, 2018
- British
- Theoretical physicist, science writer
- Announced the black hole singularity theorem and Hawking radiation, and contributed to the popularization of science with his book “Talking about the Universe”
Quote
“I’m never any good in the morning. It is only after four in the afternoon that I get going.”
Explanation
In this quote, Stephen Hawking humorously reflects on his personal working habits and productivity rhythms. Like many people, he seems to have a biological clock that favors the afternoon over the morning, which is when he feels most alert and focused. This observation highlights an important truth about individual differences in energy levels and peak performance times. While some people are naturally morning people, able to accomplish tasks early in the day, others like Hawking find that their most productive hours come later, when they have had time to fully wake up and settle into a rhythm.
The quote also serves as a reminder that work habits and productivity can vary greatly between individuals, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to being productive. Even someone of Hawking’s stature, known for his groundbreaking contributions to physics, had to find a working schedule that suited his own natural pace. This speaks to the idea that success is not necessarily tied to a specific routine, but to discovering what works best for oneself.
Finally, there is a subtle element of self-awareness in this quote. Hawking seems to acknowledge his own limitations—he isn’t overly critical of his later start to the day but instead embraces it as part of who he is. This attitude of accepting one’s personal tendencies and adapting to them, rather than forcing oneself into a rigid structure, is a useful approach to maintaining both mental well-being and long-term productivity. In Hawking’s case, even with a challenging physical condition, this understanding of his own rhythm likely helped him to continue his remarkable work and maintain his energy for the demanding tasks he faced.
