This article first appeared in the Warrior. Every Day. LinkedIn Newsletter on June 1, 2022.
One of the principles of the warrior can be a bit controversial, especially among the most successful and wealthiest people in the world. Whenever this topic comes up as a success strategy, it can be met with a guffaw. But there are those at the top of their game, leaders, movers, and shakers that credit a good portion of their success to the bedroom.
Warriors drive hard and give their all. And they also know when it's time to lay down their weapon, remove their armor, and refresh their mind, body, and spirit. Today, we are on the fourth principle of the warrior, replenish.
As a reminder, the principles are Wealth, Awake, Raison d'Etre, Replenish, Invictus, Original, and Reverent.
Rest Is America's Shame
One of the oddest rituals in America is to compete with one another on the basis of being busy and not sleeping. Reflect on a conversation where you commented on your lack of sleep due to a deadline or a crazy project. How did the other person respond? Did they say OMG, you should be sure you get some rest soon and not burn yourself out? Or did they counter with OMG, I haven't slept more than four hours in the last six months because I'm working so hard?
Chances are you were one-upped in the battle to brag about a lack of rest. So you responded with oh yeah, I haven't taken a day off in six months, in fact, I have 43 days of unused PTO. Then they counter with...ugh, you get the idea. In the United States, it is seen as lazy or unambitious to take your rest and recharge. It is so ingrained in our society that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has raised the flag on sleep deprivation.
It's no big deal, right? Wrong. Remember the Exxon Valdez spill? Sleep deprivation. How about Chernobyl? Sleep deprivation. What about ~1,000 auto fatalities a year? Sleep deprivation (drowsy driving), according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Yet, it is considered to be a badge of honor to not sleep, not rest, and not take vacation days. At work, you're seen as not committed or not ambitious because you want to hike on a Saturday or not work 14-hour days every week of every year until you retire.
Warriors don't view a lack of sleep or rest as a badge of honor, they consider it an impedence to success.
I Hate The Phrase "I'll Sleep When I'm Dead" 😡
One of the reasons I hate the phrase 'I'll sleep when I'm dead' is because a lack of sleep will lead to death a lot faster and it diminishes the importance of sleep. It's not just about sleep, but rather the importance of replenishing your energy stores. A lack of sleep, and rest in general, is linked to cardiovascular disease, obesity, and general mental and emotional health. It's important to note that just because you're in the bed, doesn't mean you're sleeping or getting restful sleep.
My Fitbit and I will have disagreements occasionally on my sleep quality. I'll wake up thinking what a good rest I had only to find my Fitbit has given me a low sleep score. How dare it! Incredulous, I open the detail of my sleep to see I was practically awake or moving most of the night. If you're not waking up feeling refreshed, the quality of your sleep may be suffering.
Besides, you're not sleeping when you're dead. You're dead. Duh. I know the phrase is meant to mean we should make the most of every waking moment of our lives. You can sleep after you've accomplished your goal. But how can you enjoy the fruits of your labor if you're too tired or too sick? That is what some of the most successful people have come to embrace.
One of the craziest paradoxes to me is that airline pilots and attendants have a cap on how many hours they can work in a 24-48 hour period, yet, doctors in training (interns and residents mostly) are expected to work endlessly with little-to-no sleep. 🤔
Adequate Rest Can Boost Productivity And Innovation
Arianna Huffington is a media mogul. She is the founder of the Huffington Post and Thrive Global. While she was building the Huffington Post brand in 2017 she passed out at her desk. She was exhausted. Realizing that she couldn't continue down that path, she began prioritizing rest and an unexpected thing happened. Her business began to grow. Her journey is detailed in her book, The Sleep Revolution.
Jeff Bezos cites getting eight hours of sleep to perform at his best. Bill Gates credits his creativity to being well-rested. Jay Shetty transformed his entire life through the power of meditation and rest.
🛑 I hear you. But they can rest now because they're filthy rich. Yes, there are times when we have to push ourselves because of a deadline or major project, or family changes (like a new baby). That's not what I'm talking about. The constant and unrelenting lack of rest and sleep no matter the circumstances is unhealthy and unproductive. And these highly successful people reached that conclusion at some point.
When we're well-rested we can be more creative and problem-solve. We are more available for collaboration and building relationships. It gives our brains an opportunity to process information to learn and grow. It doesn't make us less ambitious, it makes us more ambitious because we have the energy to go the extra mile. Stepping back and disconnecting allows us to see the playing field, celebrate our wins, and re-calibrate our strategies. A warrior relies on rest to see things clearly and live to fight another day.
I can give more when it's necessary because I have it to give. If I need to put in additional hours in the evening or the weekend, I can because I'm not burned out. And when the need passes, I can replenish my energy. One of the ways I replenish is by creating content. I freaking ❤️ creating content for people to help them unleash their gifts and release fixed mindsets. Digging into my creativity fuels me for the things I don't find enjoyable. And, it also makes me an incredible problem-solver. When I have a big problem to figure out, I go to bed.
Warriors know that wars are won in the space between battles. They fiercely protect their time, their mind, and their health.
You can keep making excuses for why you can't unplug and enjoy the weekends, take a vacation, or not answer emails after a certain time. You can continue to burn your candle at both ends and run on fumes. Or you can make the time for yourself. When you do, you will see positive shifts in your mindset and productivity, and generate more game-changing ideas. And that is a win for everyone.
⭐Here's a tip to make your rest more productive. If you're struggling with a problem or question, think of it before going to sleep. Keep paper and a pen by your bed. Your brain will work on the problem while you sleep. The tricky part is that you will get an answer while you're still groggy, so be sure to have that paper handy. It may take a few tries, but eventually, your brain will produce an idea.
To be a warrior is not the exception, it is the rule.