The Secret to Success: It’s Not What You Think
I’m often asked about my keys to achieving success, and while there are many factors at play, I believe one crucial element is often overlooked: getting out of bed and getting to work. It’s not about being cliché, but rather recognizing that everyone has the same 24 hours in a day. The question is, how do you choose to use yours?
A popular motivational poster found in many locker rooms across the country reads: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.” While this is true, I believe there’s more to it. A grown adult needs around 7 hours of sleep per night to function. So, if you want to stay up late, sleep in, and then get moving, that’s your prerogative. But if you want to get a head start, try going to bed early and rising with the sun.
This approach can put you ahead of the majority of people, simply by setting an alarm, waking up early, and getting started while others sleep. However, there are exceptions to this rule. Take, for example, a Japanese entrepreneur who has taken the concept of productivity to an extreme. For the past 12 years, he has limited his sleep to just 30 minutes per day.
His philosophy is to “double his life” by cutting out rest and replacing it with activity. He claims that as long as you exercise or drink coffee an hour before eating, you can stave off drowsiness. While I’m skeptical about the long-term effects of this approach, I’m intrigued by the idea.
However, if we do the math, staying awake for 24 hours only adds 33% to the average person’s waking hours. It’s impressive, but not exactly “doubling” one’s life. Moreover, is being awake all the time really desirable? The world can be a challenging place, and sometimes sleep is a welcome respite.
This entrepreneur’s passions include painting, music, and mechanical design, which is admirable. But perhaps he could try sleeping for 3-4 hours a night and see what he’s missing before committing to such an extreme routine. Ultimately, it’s up to each individual to find their own balance and rhythm.
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