I’ll Sleep When I Die

I’ll sleep when I die! The call to arms of career minded people and every parent out there. It’s especially one of several badges of honour business owners tend to hold tightly to and one that needs to change; big time.

Do you know of someone with that mindset? You know, you see them in the mornings with bags under their eyes looking worse for wear. They always seem to be gulping down cup after cup of coffee every day, maybe all day. Then if you comment about them looking fatigued they brush it off and respond with “I’ll sleep when I die!”.

Is it you?

The other night, maybe because of too much caffeine (and I don’t usually consume much caffeine at all), or maybe because of some worrisome things on my mind I hardly slept at all. My next day was a write off. I was constantly losing my train of thought, was NOT productive at all, and in a bad mood. I was even getting a bit cranky with my daughter and her friends over something pretty insignificant.

I was not my usual self. I didn’t like it and that was just one night.

One Night Without Sleep – No Problem

Now most people, myself included, can handle one sleepless night. It took me three nights of regular sleep to return to my “normal”. It may be something a bit different for you but it will take a bit of time for your body to pay back that sleep deficit.

Now just imagine what consistent sleep deprivation will do over time. Think about how it negatively impacts your work and your life; perhaps already. Check out this list. If you’re being truthful, how much really resonates?

This is certainly not an exhaustive list (pun intended!) and it doesn’t even begin to get into the negative health impacts sleep deprivation will have over time.

The Impact of Sleep Deprivation:

• Caffeine owns you. You cannot function without it.
• You’re dropping the ball with clients or co-workers, whether that’s delays or errors
• You’re working longer but are actually taking longer than usual to do things
• You’re losing your temper easier with co-workers, family or others
• Road rage moments that surprise you when then happen
• No time and certainly no energy for family or self care

“Caffeine owns you! You cannot function without it.”

The Restorative Sleep Mindset

Is this badge of honour worth hanging onto? I hope not. Letting it go and beginning to reclaim healthy sleep habits begins with a shift in mindset.

Once you clearly see the negative impact sleep deprivation is having on you then you can choose to see the flip side. In focusing in on why good restorative sleep is important and what it can bring to your world you can then begin your process of change.

You’ve probably held onto the mantra of “I’ll sleep when I die” for a long time. It probably won’t be a simple transition but it will be worth it down the road.

Really think about and hold onto the value this one big change will bring to your level of personal performance and productivity and your ability to live your ideal life.

If that alone does not feel enough then consider becoming a member of One Wave Global, our exclusive membership community. Within our community there is ample peer mentoring from like minded people who are experiencing challenges similar to you who can offer advice from their experiences that will help you. Of course I’m there too with coaching support as you move forward step by step.

So What’s Your next Step? Creating the change you want can be hard if you go it alone!