Only Four Hours Of Sleep?

What’s the real reason some entrepreneurs and leaders only sleep 4 or less hours per night?

My brother and I recently had a casual conversation about our careers and the success we’ve both achieved. We come from humble backgrounds, and our parents were not business people, entrepreneurs, or executives. So, as we entered the business world, we had to learn everything from scratch. We had to figure out the politics of operating in the corporate world, which was intimidating for us. Things like how to secure a promotion, how to negotiate a raise, how to continuously improve our skills, and how to gain recognition for our excellent work were not intuitive to us. We had many questions, such as: What if we’re excelling in our roles but not receiving the recognition we deserve? The list goes on…

Thinking about our backgrounds and how we achieved the success that we have was a fun stroll down memory lane.

However, as it often happens, our conversation shifted to the present day and the things currently unfolding in our lives. I began my own business in 2002, while my brother has built a highly successful career in the IT world, earning a reputation as the “go-to guy” and a sought-after problem solver.

During our conversation, my brother asked me an important question which I found interesting.

He asked, “you know how you hear about business executive, CEO’s and COO’s and others who almost never sleep? Or at least they seem to get by with only 4 or 5 hours of sleep? Well, I’ve been wondering – do you think they are all genetically gifted or pre-disposed in some way that the rest of us are not?  How is it that they only get 4 or 5 hours of sleep then they are up at 4 am and in the office by 6 working….?”

I found the question intriguing, never really delving into it before. While my brother mused about whether this trait was innate or learned, my own experiences in the corporate world and two decades as an entrepreneur provided some clarity.

My response was straightforward: “They only sleep 4 hours a night because they’re worried!” My brother chuckled, assuming it was a joke, but I meant it.

Leadership, whether in Little League or a Fortune 100 company, brings increased responsibility and, consequently, stress. I’ve had countless sleepless nights grappling with financial concerns, payroll, layoffs, bills, insurance, and revenue generation. It’s a long list.

I worked 12-14 hour days and slept only 3-4 hours because I WAS WORRIED!

While some rare individuals thrive on minimal sleep, most, in private, would admit their sleep deprivation stems from a litany of worries, both those I listed and more.

The question prompted me to ponder when and how I began worrying less:

“When did I start worrying less?”

“What steps did I take to reach this point?”

“Am I deceiving myself? Am I still clocking only 4-5 hours of sleep?”

Today, I sleep soundly, but it was a journey to mitigate the anxiety inherent in taking on significant responsibilities.

Entrepreneurs, leaders, and executives often learn to combat fear, stress, and harmful projections through trial and error, without external guidance. It’s far from enjoyable.

The tools used to manage worry, anxiety, stress, and destructive thought patterns in our professional lives translate to our personal lives, aiding us in handling stress within our families and among friends.

Effective stress management is crucial for critical thinking, problem-solving, and future planning when you’re entangled in a mental battle with yourself. So, here are some brief tips to embark on a healthier, more controlled path, avoiding the pitfalls of crippling worry.

Eyes Wide Open

If you choose to be a leader in any capacity, you must approach that endeavor with full awareness. You must recognize and grasp from the outset that stress will be a fundamental aspect of the job.

Coping Mechanisms

I love baseball, and I adore baseball movies. One of my favorites is “Love of the Game” starring Kevin Costner. In the film, he portrays a pitcher nearing the end of his career, confronting the New York Yankees in front of a capacity crowd. The fans are raucous and energetic, and as a viewer, you wonder how someone can maintain their focus amidst all that noise – which could easily result in overwhelming anxiety. Then, he whispers to himself, “clear the mechanism,” and the noise vanishes.

Life isn’t quite that easy, but it is a way that we can find a trigger that reminds us that we have to focus on the here and now, and not allow our emotional mind to hijack our day, our week, our spouse’s special event or anything else.

Be present. Be mindful.

I had a client struggling with this issue. He loved being the boss and maintaining control but experienced significant stress levels. One day, I posed a direct question to him: “Are you in control?”

The question initially bewildered him, as anticipated, given his habitual high stress and quick reactions.  When he asked for clarification, I offered the following insight:

“You possess the tools to manage your time effectively. Your knowledge and skills enable you to handle stress and achieve your goals. You have achieved reasonable success and stand on the brink of taking your business to the next level.  So, I’ll ask once more: Are you in control?”

…………………………………

Stop running around like a chicken with your head cut off! You are not required to go through the same challenging process I did. Tap into the insights of those who came before you to fast-track your path to professional and personal achievement.

If you arrange a phone conversation, please show up as your authentic self, not a version of yourself you believe you should present. I assure you that you will get the most genuine, candid version of me. It’s just a conversation – that’s it.