Want to Be More Productive? You Better Sleep on It First.
a productivity hack you need to know
Early last year, as I was thinking about what is essential for me to feel successful in my business, this question ran through my mind:
What if being rested really is non-negotiable for my success?
It stopped me in my tracks. Let me give you some background.
I had noticed that recently I had been saying that I work better when I am rested. I also had committed to increasing my self-care. I tried taking an easier pace throughout my workday, not pushing myself to do more, not letting work spill over into the evenings, and not working in the middle of the night when I couldn’t sleep!
But the idea of truly staying rested seemed, at that moment, like a huge indulgence and utterly impossible.
As I started to imagine the idea becoming a reality, a whole host of thoughts tripped over themselves to challenge it. I said to myself, “Rest more? What foolishness! I already have too much to do! What would people think of me?”
Despite all the internal chatter, I decided to rise to the challenge and see what would happen. I took this need seriously and made rest a priority.
As a result, over the last 18 months many seemingly small choices have resulted in dramatic changes in my life.
● I’ve addressed my chronic low-energy issue head on, which has led to medical appointments, blood tests, a nutritionist, and major changes in my diet.
● I’ve restructured my work schedule to allow time in the morning for mediation and exercise — and naps or walks when needed.
● I’ve renegotiated client agreements so my responsibilities are less taxing and more aligned with work that is rewarding and energizing.
My chronic sense of overwhelm is lessening and, in its place, I am experiencing more spaciousness in my life. This is allowing me to spend more focused and quality time on important projects, which is resulting in an increased level of success.
So, my intuitive hit has served me well. And, curiously, I am in good company with regard to what I have learned about staying rested.
Arianna Huffington, New York Times bestselling author and co-founder and editor in chief says, “We think mistakenly that success is the result of the amount of the time we put in at work, instead of the quality of the time we put in. I find that I am much more creative when I’ve actually taken care of myself.”
In her book, The Sleep Revolution: Transforming Your Life, One Night at a Time, Huffington claims we are in the midst of a sleep deprivation crisis, which is impacting our health, job performance, and quality of life.
She advocates taking back our lives by renewing our relationship with sleep.
I could not agree more. I’m glad — and a bit relieved — to have my need for naps validated by a respected and successful professional.
Staying rested goes hand in hand with increased productivity. It is, after all, not a luxury but a necessity. If you are not already, I encourage you to try it out! Let me know how a little more rest affects the quality of your work — and life.
Roberta Ryan is a business coach who helps “right-brain” professionals recognize their value, make their vision real, and sustain a business that serves the greater community. To find out more, please visit www.RobertaRyan.com