I’ve identified that the most important thing for me to accomplish in 2012 is to get more sleep. In a recent conversation with my best friend of nearly 30 years, she pointed out something she has observed repeatedly through the years: Whenever I don’t get enough sleep, I have a variety of negative results which dramatically reduce my productivity. Listen as I share how I will use the Productive Environment 5-step process to overcome this and start a pattern for smart goal setting. Podcast Duration: 4:25 (MM:SS)
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Podcast Transcript
In the last podcast of 2011, I challenged you to answer the question, “What is the one thing that has to happen in 2012 for you to feel happy with your progress?” The most common reaction I get from people at this idea is, “I have more than one thing!” Well, so do I, but here’s the truth as I see it. IF you identify ONE outcome that is not negotiable in order for you to get the results you want in 2012, and you get results, the positive outcome will roll over into many other positive results, but if you don’t identify -- or acknowledge -- that one goal, the resulting negative energy will prevent you from accomplishing the other goals as well.
I’ve identified that the most important thing for me to accomplish in 2012 is to get more sleep. In a recent conversation with my best friend of nearly 30 years, she pointed out something she has observed repeatedly through the years: Whenever I don’t get enough sleep, I have a variety of negative results which dramatically reduce my productivity.
It turns out I’m not alone. Tony Schwartz, author of The Way We’re Working Isn’t Working, in a speech to Google employees makes the staggering statement that sleeping less than 6 hours/wk for 2 weeks has the same effect on cognitive ability as 48 consecutive hours without sleep. He further points out that we deny the effect, the same as someone who drinks too much alcohol denies any negative effects. If you’d like to learn more astonishing effects, do a search on YouTube for Tony Schwartz Google.
So, based on all this data, and more I don’t have time to share, I’m TOTALLY committed to getting more sleep in 2012, so I would share with you how I am using the Productive Environment 5-step process:
- State your vision. My vision is to get 8 hours of sleep at least 5 nights out of 7, and on the other 2 nights, no less than 6 hours.
- Identify your obstacles. One big obstacle will be my travel schedule. Another will be a tendency to watch TV with my husband when I could be going to bed. And, admittedly, one obstacle is not making sleep a priority.
- Commit your resources. My resources include my business partner and my best friend who are also working on similar goals, and are committed to helping me be accountable, and my husband who has been saying for years I don‘t get enough sleep. Other resources include My PlannerPad calendar, and numerous resources I have collected on the subject of sleep.
- Design your plan. First of all, I will track the number of hours of sleep I get each night in my Planner Pad so that I have to face the truth about my progress. I have shared my goal with Andrea, Flo, and Alfred. Once a week, at a minimum, I will read or listen to one of my resources on the subject to get encouragement and new ideas.
- Maintain your success. At the end of the 1st quarter of 2012, I will assess my progress and share with my accountability partners. If I have reached my goal, I will plan a night out at a new restaurant (one of my favorite things to do) to celebrate my accomplishment, and I will make any necessary adjustments for the next quarter.
So, that’s my story. What’s yours?
Post your comments or questions in the comments area of this episode at barbarahemphill.com. If you like this podcast and think a friend or colleague can benefit from it please share it with them using the Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn buttons on the podcast page on my website.” Until next week, I’m Barbara Hemphill. Happy New Year!
