For most of my life, I have struggled with getting enough sleep. When I tell people how little I sleep, they are complimentary. They generally see that it is the reason I am able to be a CEO and still read so many books. I consider myself a high-functioning insomniac because most people are not able to tell when I am tired.
So all good, right?
Not so fast.
I would gladly give all of that up for solid sleep, every single night. Getting little sleep is not a badge of honor. It is not something to brag about.
Not getting enough sleep can range from an occasional annoyance to a serious issue requiring medical help. Sleep better and you increase your productivity, your odds of success, and your ability to lead.
Success Factor: Getting Enough Sleep
Do you get enough sleep?
There are numerous ways to improve your sleep habits, but recognizing whether you have a sleep issue is the first step.
Dangers of Sleep Deprivation
Here are a few of the dangers of not getting enough sleep:
- Increased chance of injury
- Decreased performance
- Impaired brain and heart function
- Likelihood of gaining weight
- Impaired memory
- Shorter life!
- Decreased immunity
- Increased stress
- Increased anxiety
- Lowered productivity
- Troubled relationships
- Mood swings
- Diminished response time
- Increased chance of blurting something out at a meeting that you regret or mumbling incoherently to yourself (no, really, I have no experience with this)
- Difficulty focusing or listening
- Decreased effectiveness
- Increased chance of getting sick
That’s quite a list. And you could easily add more in the comments.
So how about you? Do you sleep well or struggle? Do you think it is a leadership and performance issue?
Do you have sleep problems?
So, what to do? There are numerous ways to get more sleep. I have plenty of experience with most of them. Before I share my list, I wanted to learn from you. Help me out. Share your tips on how to get a good night’s rest in the comments or send me an email, tweet, Facebook, Google+ or LinkedIn comment.
