Summon the Power of Sleep
Yes, today we're talking about sleep. A third of our lives. That block of unconsciousness that falls between work and more work.
By Hubert Kang
“It is a common experience that a problem difficult at night is resolved in the morning after the committee of sleep has worked on it.”
— John Steinbeck
Yes, today we're talking about sleep. A third of our lives. That block of unconsciousness that falls between work and more work.
Consistent, quality sleep is something that's managed to elude me for chunks of my adult years.
My problem? It's all in my head. As in, I can't seem to turn the day's thoughts and musings off long enough to meet Mr. Sandman on time. It's been said by many professional golfers that the most important distance in golf is the six inches between your ears.
At night my minds tends to race. When the lights go out and everyone else is asleep, my brain synapses start firing as if I were standing lakeside at a 4th of July BBQ.
Last week I was in a customer meet and greet on Zoom and we were discussing the importance of wrapping up, handing off, and shutting down; key elements we discuss here in our daily work at Peachtree Labs. In other words, getting yourself fully prepared for that "time between work and more work."
That all-important time when the same committee Steinbeck wrote about, does what it does and adjourns for the morning after a full night of work to get you ready for the day.
These days, I track my slumber with an Oura ring and can attest that when I sleep at least 7 hours (with a minimum of 1 hr and 30 mins of deep sleep sandwiched in), I feel much different.
- Alert.
- Focused.
- Lucid.
On sub-7 hour days, I feel:
- a step behind,
- a second slow,
- a dollar short,
- as if I'd just played tennis left-handed.
As a small business owner, a lot rides on an extra hour of quality shut-eye. That extra hour (or two) can mean a lot.
Great Days vs.Average Days are born from small moments:
- An important conversation with family, friends
- A conference call with a client or sales prospect
- An inner dialogue with yourself before making a critical decision
The trifecta of mind, body, and soul are real. Those 3 strings must be in tune for you to sleep like a champ. Conversely, when they are - you'll attack the day like a champion's champion.
Rest Well. Work Better.
Quality sleep is truly a superpower that lies within and can be yours, (if it isn't already). It just might be the most important processor fused onto the motherboard of your business operating system.
3 Takeaways
Honor Your Limits and Possibilities when it comes to the 24 hours you've been allotted. When I lived and worked in NYC, I frequently went out to dinner at 9:30 pm and rolled up to Client presentations the next day at 9 am. There are a host of reasons when I don't do that anymore. Scheduling quality sleep is a healthy forcing function and a small business demands it in ways that working for others doesn't.
All Businesses come with pitfalls and setbacks that you can't outwork no matter who you are. Someone leaves, a customer cancels, material prices suddenly skyrocket. What you can't control (past or present) has to exit the mind in order to leave room for positivity. Don't let something that bothers you for days turn into weeks or months. Keep the negatives on the aisle seats where they can exit easily, while you enjoy the window.
Create "On-Demand" worry time vs "Live Streaming." If you know that there are big obstacles in your way that will take some time to clear, do what you can to timebox them. Set aside :30 or an hour on certain days to dive into those business issues, and list some positive actions next to them that can provide a solution. Give the worries their due and move onto something else.
1 Action
This week gets a little tactical. If something in your business is stirring in your brain lately, try the 3-2-1 sleep method for a few days. 3 hours before bedtime (no food or alcohol). 2 hours before bedtime (no work). 1 hour before bedtime, (no computers or screens). Then, monitor your sleep and morning mood on those days. Use your devices, don't let them use you. Until next time, have a productive and refreshing week,