Missing out on sleep could stop you from reaching your organisational potential both at work and at home
There are only 24 hours in the day, and we’re often made to believe that we should be spending as many of them as possible striving towards our goals if we ever hope to meet them. This is known as ‘hustle culture’ – a mindset that states that the most successful people in history could function on a couple of hours of sleep a night; that rest is for the weak; and that true success requires an unyielding dedication to your career ambitions.
It goes without saying that this is a dangerous mindset to peddle, and it’s also one that’s come under a lot of scrutiny in recent years as people come to understand the importance of rest, recuperation and self-care.
Because, in reality, rest and success go hand in hand. Being organised can help to improve your sleep quality, just as making time for good sleep can help you become more organised. Let’s take a closer look at this relationship.
Sleep and organisation
The importance of sleep cannot be overstated, not just in terms of our mental and physical health, but also for our ability to conduct ourselves throughout the day. Sleep deprivation can impact many of our most vital mental functions, from memory and mood to reasoning and planning. This makes sleep an important factor when it comes to being organised.
Sleep-deprived brains find it more difficult to make accurate judgements, and this has a snowball effect on your day-to-day activities. Whether it’s knowing when to go to bed, giving yourself enough time to prepare for a meeting, or getting everything you need at the supermarket, missing out on sleep can make you more likely to sack off necessary tasks and follow irrational whims and feelings.
Research from McKinsey looked at 196 business executives, and found that sleep deficiencies impaired workplace performances, negatively impacted leadership skills, lessened organisation and, ultimately, had the power to result in financial repercussions.
To put this in perspective, the research found that after 17-19 hours of being awake, executives showed a similar level of cognitive impairment as having a blood alcohol level of 0.05 percent – the legal drinking limit in many countries.
And this organisational detriment doesn’t end at work. From family plans to household chores and more, failing to get enough sleep can prevent you from completing the various tasks you need to complete in order to stay organised and avoid stress.
Organising your bedroom for better sleep
Just as sleep better can help you stay organised, being more organised can also help you improve your sleep. This is a mutually beneficial relationship that starts with prioritising healthy sleep as part of your daily routine.
Setting (and sticking to) a clear sleep schedule will help you see sleep as a non-negotiable aspect of your day. Try to go to bed and wake up at roughly the same time every day, giving yourself enough time to enjoy the 7-9 hours of quality sleep recommended by the National Sleep Foundation.
You can also organise your bedroom space with better sleep in mind by removing all electronics, investing in blackout blinds, and keeping the space cool and dark.
These simple changes can make a big difference when it comes to both your sleep quality, and your ability to be organised throughout the day.