In 1947, a book called The Technique of Getting Things Done, by Donald Laird, appeared in the bookstores. The book gave example after example of how successful people were able to get more done by taking advantage of the early morning hours. A famous orator and judge would rise at 4:30 a.m. Some would get up even earlier. A quote on one of the pages stated, "I have always believed in long hours. It is the only way to get things done."
Over 50 years later, time management books are still advocating an early start. Some even remind us of the number of months or years we could save over a lifetime by extending our days by one hour. Successful people are still heeding their advice. An article in the February 3, 1999 issue of the Financial Post quoted David Lunsford of Dell Computer Corp. as saying, "I often hear people proudly claim they work 100-hour weeks."
In fairness to time management experts, most of them are not really advocating longer hours, simply a utilization of the most productive early-morning hours. They are assuming that people are getting enough sleep. The problem is that they are not. According to an article in the St. Petersburg Times [April 11, 1999,] "During the past three decades, Americans have put in longer hours at the office and packed even more into their pre-bedtime hours: working at home on laptop computers, surfing the internet and e-mailing friends, flipping among ever-expanding choices on television." The article claims that as a result, nearly two-thirds of adults get less than eight hours of sleep a night. Nearly one third gets by on 6 1⁄2 hours or less. And, according to the National Sleep Foundation, Washington, DC, this is a dramatic decrease from thirty years ago.
Has this decrease in sleep increased our personal productivity? Not according to an article in the May 7, 1999 issue of The Toronto Star [Feeling Sleep Starved? Welcome to the Club, by Leslie Papp.]
"Lack of sleep makes people moody, impatient, unable to concentrate, less attentive. Over time it can take a toll on their physical and mental health and significantly affect performance."
Working longer hours and cramming more activities into the day can certainly cause stress. And US Today, May 11, 1999, indicated that work stress, family stress and unspecified stress were the greatest reasons for sleeplessness. USA Snapshots also reported that three in four adults say they had problems sleeping at night.
There appears to be a struggle between the need to get more done and the desire to lead a balanced life. Unfortunately the extra time spent on work, family and personal pursuits is extracted from sleep time. This in turn reduces the quality of the time being spent as well as endangers our health.
We must realize that adequate sleep is not only a priority, but a necessity. If you need eight hours of sleep, make sure you get it, even if it means having a late afternoon siesta. Don't cruise the internet or watch an action movie on television and then expect to fall asleep immediately. Read a boring book [I have authored several,] relax, talk, and stay away from coffee for the hour or more before you go to bed. Try to maintain a similar routine each night, including the time you turn in. Don't work too hard trying to fall asleep. Simply relax and let your mind go blank.
According to the National Sleep Foundation, one third of adults don't keep regular sleep schedules, 21 percent have a caffeinated drink at night, and 90 percent report watching TV or listening to the radio in the hour before bedtime. Sleeplessness could be the result of medical problems; but chances are, it's self-imposed.
Companies are beginning to recognize the value of sufficient sleep. An article in The Toronto Star [December 13, 1997] told about a computer consulting firm based in Berkley, California, that views regular siestas as a fundamental part of doing business. Naps enhance morale, performance, production and safety."
You could argue that people should get their sleep on their own time. I would agree. But by the same token, don't try to get more done at the expense of adequate sleep. Sleeping one hour less each night might lengthen your day; but it could also shorten your life.•
Harold Taylor Time Consultants Inc.
1-800-361-8463
harold@taylorintime.com
