I don’t know about you, but I don’t buy into the fallacy that you have to hustle and grind to be a successful business owner.
Yup, I said it.
I think far too many people are busy but not productive, and they are working when they should be experiencing the other things that life has to offer. I know this is a contrarian viewpoint. And I know that far too many entrepreneurs have bought into the hype that they can sleep when they’re dead.
Truth be told, you may die if you don’t give your body a chance to refresh and replenish. I think there is definitely a reason why health experts talk about sleep as a mandatory vehicle to living your best life. That’s why Francine’s question is being featured in this week’s episode of Incredible Factor TV:
“Hi Darnyelle. When I quit my job last year to pursue full-time business ownership. I had no idea that my sleep would be sacrificed and I have to admit, I’m burning the candle at both ends and I’m so tired. Would you share your two cents on how much sleep you feel is needed to perform at your optimal best?”
See my response to Francine’s question here:
As I state in the episode, this answer will vary from person to person. For me, as an example, I have to sleep 8 hours each night – that is non-negotiable. The fact is when you are tired and “grinding” in your business, you’re not sharp, focused and productive. I’d rather live in the 8s and render the most productive 8 hours to my business and have proper balance in my life. And honestly with a few exceptions, I live in the 8s – 8 hours of sleep, 8 hours of work and 8 hours to enjoy my life, my home, my health, etc. I think there is a reason why medical reports show that 8 hours of sleep is optimal but there are tons of people who sleep way less and still make it happen so you’ve got to find what works for you. After all, how effective can you really be for your clients and customers when you’re tired?
As far as I’m concerned, there is nothing more important than my health. If I am not at my optimal best, the value I will add to the lives and businesses of others is non-existent and it is from this vantage point that I take care of Darnyelle Antoinette first.
You see, I don’t operate in a lack mindset. To “hustle and grind without sleep” to me means that you don’t believe in your ability to make connections and create opportunities in your business when you are at your optimal best, fresh, sharp, alert and productive. Working into the wee hours is usually not productive time; you’re just saying you’re working because it makes you feel that you’re doing something. But the truth is, if you had systems, you’d know that you can sleep and things will still get done.
In my opinion, not taking care of your body and sleeping as you need to comes from a lack mindset. Out of this sense of needing to control everything (the model of scarcity, you panic and over exert yourself to the point of exhaustion and missed opportunity.) The truth is, there is time for everything that is important for you because no one gets more than 24 hours a day. Buying into the hype means that you’re likely scared of the possibility of what might happen if you lost control. And that, Incredible One, will be part of the reason that you’ll never experience what you truly desire.
Now I want to hear from you, what’s your two cents?:
How many hours of sleep do you get each night? And can you tell when you’re at your peak of productivity? Do you have “balance” in your life and are you effectively able to make time for what’s most important or are you not sleeping because of a lack mindset?
©2014 by Darnyelle A. Jervey. All Rights Reserved. Darnyelle A. Jervey, MBA, The Incredible Factor Speaker, Business Coach and Marketing Mentor, is the founder of Incredible One Enterprises.com, Incredible Factor University® and the Leverage Your Incredible Factor System®, a proven step-by-step program for more clients, more income and more leverage in your business. For more information and a FREE audio CD “7 Critical Mistakes Entrepreneurs Must Avoid When Unleashing Your Incredible Factor So You Attract More Clients, Make More Money and Gain More Leverage” just fill out the form below.