5 Things You Must Stop Doing Before Going to Bed
A few years ago I wrote a blog on 5 Ways Great Salespeople Should Begin Their Day as a sales professional. In contrast, I thought I would share the five things you should quit doing at the end of your day to achieve the same goal.
We live in a world where every second counts and it seems, if we aren’t squeezing the life out of every one of those seconds, we might be missing something. Here’s the challenge with that thinking. In a word: Burnout.
“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first hour sharpening the ax.” – Abraham Lincoln
I love this quote. It reminds me that getting rest and recharging are major factors when it comes to being the best me possible. It is one of the ways in which we sharpen the proverbial ax.
The way my brain works is often to look at what not to do. So with that backdrop, here are five things you should stop doing before hitting the sack to make you the best sales person possible.
1. Social Media
Yes…I said it, social media is public enemy number one when it comes to depriving people of sleep. I know because in the past, I was that guy. I am not saying don’t be on it at all. I am saying don’t scroll through the night.
Instead, pray or meditate. In addition, Social Media will likely cause you to think negatively. The longer you scroll the more likely you are to experience comparison, judgment, offense, envy and more.
2. Arguing
I know this seems like a no brainer, but it must be said. Studies done by The American Psychological Association show there are significant correlations to arguing and physical health issues such as cardiovascular disease and muscle and health ailments like arthritis.
You simply can’t be at the top of your game if you aren’t healthy.
3. Thinking
My wife is a self-admitted over-thinker. Although it is one of the things I love about her (because she’s a genius) she struggles with shutting down her brain. This causes her to have sub par sleep.
When she purposely turns her brain off at least an hour before going to bed, she is far more productive the next day. My guess is that will be true for you as well.
4. Checking Email
If you have read any of my blogs on productivity, you know that I am all about being proactive with your calendar versus reactive. That being the case, stop looking at your email before you go to bed. In fact, stop looking at it when you wake up in the morning as well.
When we check our email before bed we fill our minds with things we need to do, people we need to react to, etc. According to a study done by Dr. Glenn Wilson, a psychiatrist at King’s College London University found that checking email too often actually lowers your IQ!
5. Watching Netflix
Similar to Social Media, binge watching a show on Netflix or Hulu while in bed can steal your sleep. In addition, the type of show you are watching will affect you in different ways right before bed.
Whatever you are feeding your brain right before bed will stay in your subconscious throughout the night. That is another reason to go back to prayer, meditation or visualization of positive topics.
I am sure there are several other nighttime habits that could go on this list. Please feel free to share if you have any you think would help. If you are in bed reading this blog right now, shut it off my friend and get some sleep.
