Ever wonder how much sleep ultra-successful people get? Are they all super-human and able to operate on barely any sleep (unlike the rest of us)?
Some of the most successful and wealthiest people in the world sleep AT LEAST six hours:
– Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX: 6 hours per night (1 a.m. – 7 a.m.)
– Tim Cook, CEO of Apple: 7 hours per night (9:30 p.m. – 4:30 a.m.)
– Bill Gates, Co-Founder of Microsoft: 7 hours per night (12 a.m. – 7 a.m.)
– Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group: 5-6 hours per night (12 – 5/6 a.m.)
– Jack Dorsey, Co-founder of Twitter: 7 hours per night (10:30 p.m. – 5:30 a.m.)
– Tim Armstrong, Chairman and CEO of AOL: 6 hours per night (11 p.m. – 5 a.m.)
– Barack Obama, President of the United States: 6 hours per night (1 a.m. – 7 a.m.)
– Jeff Bezos, Founder & CEO of Amazon.com: 7 hours per night (10 p.m. – 5 a.m.)
– Ellen DeGeneres, TV Host: 8 hours per night (11 p.m. – 7 a.m.)
Even Warren Buffett (The richest man in the world) knows that sleep is the most important thing you can do:
“I have no desire to get to work at four in the morning,” says Buffett. “I get quite a bit of sleep. I like to sleep,” he says. “So I will usually sleep eight hours a night.”
So how can you be more successful in your own life? Easy! Just sleep more…
1. You’ll be happier while on the job.
Psychologists from Sweden surveyed about 5,000 employed adults about their sleep habits and workplace attitudes. A single night of sleep directly impacts your day and even your week. Being consciously aware of your sleep habits allows you to really evaluate your happiness both inside and outside of the office. If you’re consistently unhappy at work, try getting more rest before going in search of a new job.
2. You’ll stay cooler under pressure.
Have you ever noticed that your own fuse seems shorter when you are tired? Your family and coworkers can probably confirm that it is. A well-rested mind is always more at ease. A good night’s sleep helps you tackle all of life’s curveballs. Vitamin Zzz may be the best type of “chill pill.”
3. You’ll be more popular.
In a 2016 study from US and Pakistani business school professors, where those who prioritized sleep were considered more engaging and likable: Turns out, well-slept leaders are perceived as more charismatic. It should really be no surprise, as a lack of sleep tends to make almost anyone cranky…and it’s hard to be cranky and charming at the same time.
4. You’ll actually process information better by “sleeping on it.”
Sleep solidifies information into long-term memories — make sure you rest before presentations to go in with confidence. While it might be tempting to let your nerves convince you to cram all night, put things aside for the night and let your unconscious do its job.
5. You’ll see that quality rest = quality performance.
Multiple studies support the argument that high-quality sleep helps create positive work performance. In 2016, a meta-analysis, a ‘study of studies,’ on work-and-sleep research looked at research starting with the 1970s and continuing up to the present day. The conclusions were consistent. Negativity is often contagious. A good night’s sleep fosters a positive environment for you and those around you.
6. You’ll be less accident prone.
A 2010 survey of more than 4,000 employees at four U.S. corporations, which linked insomnia and insufficient sleep to decreased productivity, performance, and workplace safety: Promoting a good night’s sleep across the company will not only save money but also increase productivity and employee happiness.
7. You’ll be smarter.
Sleep improves our ability to problem solve and recall information. By getting a good night’s rest, you’ll perform better the next day. If that’s the case, then one of the keys to working smart instead of just hard is knowing when it’s time to knock off and go to bed.
8. A better mattress makes all the difference
You spend about a third of every day in bed. Whether that time is spent blissfully slumbering — or tossing and turning — depends a lot on your mattress.
A mattress can impact a person’s sleep,” says Michael Decker, PhD, RN, associate professor at Georgia State University and spokesman for the American Academy of Sleep Medicine.
Ideally, a mattress that reduces the pressure points on your body should give you a better night’s sleep, Decker says. Yet the ideal mattress is different for each person.
