Why sacrificing sleep may not be the secret to success
A columnist discusses the debate over whether sacrificing sleep is necessary for professional success, concluding that adequate rest is essential for long-term health. The piece also touches on the importance of critical thinking when choosing mentors.
Why it matters
It challenges the 'hustle culture' narrative prevalent on social media by grounding success in scientific health standards.
What do you do when the people you look up to are pulling you in different directions? A younger colleague came to me with that dilemma last week.
“One says they only sleep for four hours and that the secret to success is sacrificing sleep. This guy sleeps at 11pm and wakes up by 3am to begin working out, reading and getting cracking, according to his social media posts. The other person, whom I also look up to and is also successful, swears by adequate sleep. His life includes seven hours of uncompromised sleep and he believes success sprouts from a well-rested mind,” he said.
Turning to me, he asked, “Are you the kind of person who values your sleep or do you believe I have to sacrifice my sleep if I am to be successful?” he posed.
Read: Many successful people are products of mentorship
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