Have you ever heard someone say something like:
I only got 4 hours of sleep last night.
Or maybe it was something like this:
I don’t need to sleep more than a few hours a night.
And they say it with pride.
I’m all for hard work. I believe in it. I think that there are plenty of areas of our lives where we can take time away and do work instead.
Netflix? Reading? Hanging with friends?
But sleep? Sleep is not one of them.
The CDC says that a large number of adults in the US aren’t getting enough sleep.
You probably realize it already, but here are some of the things that happen when you don’t get enough sleep:
- Communication skills breakdown
- Errors increase
- Poor memory
- Loss of mood control
- And more…
Look, we all get tired sometimes. It’s the way life is.
The key is avoiding the most important things when you are tired. Even if they feel like they need to get done it’s worth setting them aside and getting sleep and getting to the task later.
1. Respond To Emails, Texts
We saw in the link to studies above that communication breaks down when you’re tired. You’re also losing the ability to control your emotions.
This also applies to phone calls.
It’s not worth it. You may push through your inbox, but the quality of what you’re doing won’t measure up and you’ll likely make some mistakes. Some of those could be costly.
Punctuation breaks down leading to confusion with employees, partners and vendors.
Even if you have to set things aside and let the inbox pile up it’s better to tackle it tomorrow after you get a full night’s rest.
If you tackle it while you’re tired you’ll have to spend even more time the next day trying to fix things.
2. Attend Meetings
I’m not a fan of canceling meetings, but if you’re feeling too tired it’s better to cancel than to risk attending the meeting.
This probably speaks more to meetings that you’re running or that you’re a key member of.
You won’t be able to pay attention. You won’t be able to remember points that others make. And you won’t be able to effectively communicate any important points you’re trying to get across.
3. Read, Study
Think about the last book you read that you loved.
How much do you remember?
5% of it?
Maybe even less.
That’s normal. Our memories work in mysterious ways.
If reading is important to you then don’t do it when you’re tired. You’ll remember very little if anything.
And obviously this speaks to things you need to remember. Like studying important reports and memos for work. Save those for times when you’re alert.
4. Negotiate
Sleep deprives you of your critical thinking skills. And your critical communication skills.
If you go into a key negotiation without enough sleep you’ll lose your sharp edge and you’ll likely come out on the wrong end of the deal.
Even something as simple as buying a used car or buying something from someone on Craigslist could be impacted by a lack of sleep.
5. Take Risks
Lack of sleep has been compared to having a few alcoholic drinks. The more sleep you lack the more impaired you are.
One of the key risks with drinking is a lack of awareness for risk.
If you’re missing out on sleep you won’t be able to think through risk and it could lead to poor choices.
6. Interact With Family And Friends
Those most impacted when you’re lacking sleep are those closest to you: family and friends.
The reasons are many.
Your prone to making errors. Forgetting about them. Getting overly emotional at a situation.
Your family and friends may simply get annoyed by the feeling that you’re not listening. Your communication skills and ability to listen and focus will be severely impaired.
7. Speak Or Present To Groups
This is similar to avoiding meetings.
If you have a big presentation it’s important to get enough sleep. Obviously nerves play a role in this, but do the best you can.
The more sleep you get the better your memory and ability to communicate will be. You’ll be able to go through your speech. You’ll feel more comfortable. You’ll feel more aware so you can adapt for anything unexpected that occurs.
8. Compete
Performance slips when you’re lacking sleep.
That may seem more important for athletes, but it works for the rest of us as well.
That trip to the gym likely won’t wake you up.
9. Eat Junk
When you’re tired your judgment is impaired. And for a lot of people that means letting inhibitions go for eating food.
Think about the last time you had a snack. One that you were ashamed about later.
Odds are good that being tired played at least a little role.
When you’re tired, be extra aware of what you’re eating.
10. Push Through
This is the first urge most of us have when we’re tired. We get frustrated by feeling tired and worry about getting even further behind because of it.
So we push through.
But that could be the worst thing to do.
Take the time to get sleep.
The work will be there tomorrow when you’re feeling refreshed.
Conclusion
Nobody plans on losing sleep. But it happens. Sometimes our priorities can get out of whack.
A good step might be to assess your daily activities. Place a higher importance on sleep. Then build your day from there.
With sleep you’ll give you work and your family and friends the focus and energy they deserve.
