“Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend.” Theophrastus
Time does not take sides. It’s impartial. With the time you have develop into a kind leader. Take the time to exercise your integrity, form your character. Each day you live becomes a memory of your past. Limit any regrets by the time your head hits the pillow each night.
Make each day worthwhile. Remember, your endurance will equal the days of your life. As you live each day well, you will build a life of influence. Your actions will allow you some calm. Evenings of good rest will provide days you’ll long to remember, not escape.
Take a Minute: K. Anders Ericsson’s famous study of violinists found that the best violinists spent more time practicing than the mere good students. But that wasn’t it.
The second most important factor differentiating the best violinists from the good violinists was sleep … the best violinists slept 8.6 hours in every 24-hour period, which is about an hour longer than the average American. Over the period of about a week they also spent an average of 2.8 hours of napping in the afternoon, which is about two hours longer than the average.
The authors of the study concluded that sleep allowed these top performers to regenerate so they could practice with greater concentration. Sure, they practiced more, but they got more out of these hours of practice because they were better rested.
SalesforLife. Sep 11, 2016, 3:00pm. Excerpt from Sleep Habits Of 21 Highly Effective Leaders, by Julia Manoukian
Exception … Thatcher Gene: A single mutation to a gene not only allow some individuals to get by on six or less hours of sleep per night but bolsters their resistance to the usual effects of sleep deprivation. The mutated gene has been colloquially dubbed the ‘Thatcher’ gene in honor of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s famed ability to run her nation on as little as four hours of sleep per night. American Sleep Medicine President Timothy Morgenthaler said in a statement, “This study emphasizes that our need for sleep is a biological requirement, not a personal preference.”
Genetic Literacy Project: Science not Ideology. August 7, 2014. Excerpt from ‘Only need 4 hours of sleep per night? New-found Thatcher gene may explain why’, by Kenrick Vezina
Grind Worth Taking
I tend to have a focused, intense personality. When I get into something I am encompassed. Early on in my career this was an exceptional quality. I was an overachiever by default due to being slower to process new information and ideas. It required a great deal of mental planning. After meeting and marrying my beautiful wife, Annie, and having two darling girls, Mackenzie and Bailey, I realized I had to sort my time management altogether differently.
My singular drive now was split between work, wife, and children. I had to make some major adjustments. I had to choose. Would I be the ‘everything’ for everybody in my workplace – good little Danny. Or would I take the time to balance my time with self, family, and work.
I took the time for self, family, and work. Tick-Tock.
Truthfully, it is not something that can be espoused in a few sentences. It is a grind. A grind worth taking. A time to dig within yourself. Develop your personal talents and skills. Find your inner voice. Your kind nature. Your limitations. Balance between doing your best, being the dedicated husband to your wife or visa-versa, and loving father to your children.
Learning to say ‘no’.
Setting your limitations yet fulfilling your responsibilities is a teeter-totter, no doubt. One day at a time. Take a moment. Get your rest. Tomorrow will come. Don’t get ahead of yourself, being a superhero.
Unwind, let time tick-tock and follow its cadence.
All will be good. Just you wait!
Take care, my friend 👍
