Last Updated on January 1, 2023
So many people have the goal of achieving their own idea of success. Whether that means making tons of money, effectively balancing work and home life, or contributing positively to the world, there’s one important thing we all need: good quality sleep. Without a good night of rest, the chances of becoming successful, happy, and well-focused significantly decrease. Some of the world’s greatest minds and most distinguished innovators, dignitaries, and historical figures greatly value sleep – that may be the key to their success.
Ironically, it’s commonly thought that successful people such as Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk spend all their time thinking of new ideas and don’t waste much of it on sleeping. That couldn’t be further from the truth, and if they never got adequate rest, it’s quite doubtful they’d have ever become household names. The reason that sleep is vital to achieving success is that the brain thrives on resting each night. With enough sleep, we’re able to focus, think more creatively, and stay sharp. On the other hand, a sleep-deprived brain is slower to retain and learn new information, struggles to come up with solutions and is more prone to being unstable. In addition to the mental, emotional, and cognitive effects of sleep deprivation on the brain, the body doesn’t fare so well without rest, either.
If you physically look at the world’s most successful people, one thing is common among most of them: they appear to be well. They look alert, ready to get down to business, and in decent shape. Sleep is also to thank for this, as a rested body can repair itself more efficiently, maintain a healthy level of hormones, and effectively regulate the biochemicals that affect weight retention and appetite. Just getting good rest every night can seriously boost your life, health, and level of success. Need more proof? Consider the sleep habits of these successful people.
Marissa Mayer
Richard Branson
Barack Obama
Helena Morrissey
Jeff Bezos
Bill Gates
Establish Your Own Sleep Pattern
If you’re not already in your pattern of rest that allows you to wake feeling refreshed and ready to tackle everything ahead of you, there are several things you can do to get on track. Try to go to sleep and wake up the same time each night and day to maintain your sleep routine — this goes for the weekends and holidays too and is especially important if you have trouble getting adequate rest.
Those who find it difficult to wind down and feel too stimulated at the end of the day should try exercising a few hours before bedtime. Alternatively, do some light exercise right before trying to sleep, such as yoga. Exercising should help expend some of your energy, plus it will benefit your mind and body in the long term.
After looking at how several of the world’s top achievers sleep, it’s clear that it’s important to get at least five hours of rest each night, preferably six to eight. Getting adequate sleep is essential to reaching your personal and professional goals. What’s more, ensuring that you get quality, uninterrupted sleep is best and will lead to the brain and body having higher energy levels, greater alertness, and the ability to form the insight you need to achieve your success.
Additional Resources
Lindsay is a contributor and the senior editor of all content posted on this site. She is in this role due to her somewhat unrivaled expertise through previous retail experience in the mattress and bedding industry.