Youve heard the saying: The early bird gets the worm, havent you? It means, awaken early, toil long, and success will be yours. I believe this is absolutely ironclad advice for many people, a tremendous success formula, but its not pertinent to everybody. For some, and Im not at all sure what the percentage would be, maybe ten to twenty percent, its the worst advice, imaginable. The reason is simple: They simply dont have the ENERGY to wake up early, labor long and hard, and not end up being chronically fatigued or sick, much of the time. If anything, they need more sleep! Research at Stanford University and elsewhere says the sleeping needs of people vary quite a bit. Some can get along perfectly on 6 hours per night while others require 9. Thats 50% more sleep! Where is it going to come from? Some people, and indeed entire cultures that embrace the siesta, or afternoon work break, find it in napping. A nap can last from a few minutes to a few hours, and still be refreshing. I recall falling into a gentle nap before receiving a call to negotiate a major contract. Just before it came in, I awakened, refreshed, and I cut a tremendous, six-figure deal that I probably would have been too edgy to do nearly as well, with less sleep. If you feel listless, especially in the middle of the day, why fight it? Every now and then, take a little nap, and then see how much more successful youll become! |
