Knowing this could change everything!!

What do you think is the fundamental secret of success? Do you think it’s hard work? Maybe you think it’s determination? Grit? Tenacity? Being in the right place at the right time? Luck?. 

You are wrong on all counts… The most basic key to success is Sleep.

Ya, you read that right. Sleep!

If you don’t get a good night’s sleep, it really doesn’t matter how lucky you are, or how hard you work. Eventually, you will crash. 

Now, I know exactly what you are thinking – “Sleep?! How can that be the key to success? I barely have enough time to finish all I need to do each day! I am actually trying to cut down on my sleep so I can get more stuff done… 

Read this to the end and you will see why what I am writing about could change your life!

We have always been taught, that to succeed you need to get up and get going, work hard, start a side hustle or three. And if that means you need to abandon your sleep – so be it. Sleep is for lazy people going no where in life…

The logic is Obvious. The more you stay awake, the more time you have to get things done. And more things done, means you are that much closer to success. 

Sometimes though – what seems logical, could turn out to be absolutely wrong…

The Increasing demands of our personal and professional lives have resulted in an epidemic of sleep deprivation that is sweeping across our planet. Millions of people are trying to cut down on sleep or are simply not being able to sleep. This is dangerous. 

For millions of years, we as a species slept 8+ hours each night. Over the past 50 years or so, the average sleep time for most people has become less than 6 and a half hours a night. Evolution has not had the time to create a safety net for this. When you don’t get enough sleep, the quality of your life is dramatically compromised. Cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and depression have been directly linked to not enough sleep. Brain degenerative diseases like dementia, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s too have been connected with lack of enough sleep.

You think you can achieve more with less sleep? Think again. 

Sleep deprived people are slower at completing tasks and they are prone to making more mistakes. Not enough sleep is a major productivity killer and the cost is much more than you realize. The US alone spends more than 450 billion dollars each year over sleep deprivation and related issues around it. 

You see, sleep is essential for our bodies and minds to function optimally, playing a crucial role in maintaining and enhancing physical and mental health. Sleep refreshes and rejuvenates you, freshens up your brain, and helps you get better ideas. Not enough sleep will make you cranky, irritable and impulsive. If you consistently don’t get enough sleep, your system yearns for rejuvenation. Your health goes for a toss, your interpersonal relationships go haywire, and you lose the ability to take good decisions.

Even if the stars bless you with fantastic luck – you will not have the energy to cash in on it. When you are sleep deprived, even lady Luck can’t do much for you. 

A study by the University of Pennsylvania found that people who slept more than seven hours per night had a significantly higher chance of success in their careers compared to those who slept less. 

Another study by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that good sleepers are more likely to have a positive attitude, and be better problem solvers than those who don’t get enough rest.

You want success in life? Start prioritizing sleep. This might mean saying no to things that interfere with your sleep schedule. It seems counter-intuitive. but when you get enough sleep, you get primed for success. You’ll be amazed at how much more you can accomplish with a well-rested mind and body. Most successful people realize this sooner or later. A social researcher conducted an informal study where she tracked the sleeping habits of successful graduates of the IITs and IIMs of India. 80% of these super successful people slept 8 hours or more each night.

It’s ironical that most people tend to sacrifice the very thing that will get them success – in the pursuit of success. 

There are always going to be demands on your time. And it’s quite tempting to give up on sleep to get those so-called short term gains. But if you choose to prioritize sleep, here is what your life would look like in just a few weeks. There would be five major changes you would feel … 

1.     You will feel younger: 

Better than the best cosmetics in the world – any fancy lotions and the so-called anti-aging creams, is the effect of proper sleep. Your skin will glow, your face will shine, and day by day your body will feel younger. Get your beauty sleep. It is a hidden treasure trove of grace and youthfulness. 

2.     You become Sexier:

A night of good sleep works wonders on your libido. In this environment of stress, and irregular schedules, prioritizing your sleep as a habit will extraordinarily improve your sex life. Want better sex? Sleep well. 

3.     You become smarter: 

If you are a student preparing for an exam, or a professional prepping for a challenging day, a good night’s sleep is more important than anything else that you can do. A great day begins with the decisions to sleep well the night before.

4.     You take better decisions

From moment to moment in life you are making decisions. And if those decisions are generally good, then your life will obviously be on an upswing. Lack of sleep can severely impact your day-to-day decision-making ability, thereby greatly compromising your chances of success. Better Sleep equals better decisions equals a better life. Simple. 

5.     Your interpersonal Relationships improve

A person who sleeps well is less inclined to be grumpy and cranky, is certainly more friendly, and is surely much more of a team player. Good sleep will improve your relationships. 

After all, who doesn’t want to be around a person who is smart, sexy and intelligent – all at once! 

We live in strange times. An age where you can actually sleep your way to success!

Read more about Sleep and Success in our book Sleep Your Way to Success. Click to get the audiobook exquisitely narrated by Dinesh