Many driven entrepreneurs think skipping sleep is the path to success. However, this idea is wrong. In fact, good sleep isn’t just nice to have—it’s a powerful tool for business success. Moreover, it boosts your decision-making, creativity, and leadership.

Want to learn more about building a better-performing life? Therefore, check out our guide: “The Entrepreneur’s Guide to Better Sleep.”

Why Sleep Matters for Performance

Top athletes make sleep a priority for a good reason. Similarly, your brain needs rest, just like your body does. During deep sleep, your brain sorts through daily learning, builds stronger connections, and removes waste. In other words, it’s like basic upkeep for your most important business tool—your mind.

Sleep Powers Your Business Brain

Bad sleep affects more than just your energy. According to Harvard research, lack of sleep hurts key business skills:

• Smarter Choices: Without enough sleep, you’ll take risks without seeing the downsides. As a result, this can harm your business choices.
• Staying Calm: Need to handle tough talks or keep cool under stress? Consequently, your brain needs good sleep to do this well.
• Fresh Ideas: Your ability to solve problems and think creatively depends on REM sleep. Hence, this sleep stage helps connect different ideas in new ways.

The Business Value of Sleep: Real Numbers

Still not sure about sleep’s worth? Then, look at these facts:

• A major study showed that sleeping just 6 hours nightly for two weeks caused brain fog equal to staying up for two full nights. Yet, people didn’t even notice how poorly they were doing.
• Furthermore, poor sleep costs the U.S. economy up to $411 billion each year in lost work.
• Additionally, McKinsey found that better-rested leaders showed much higher drive and less burnout.

Simple Sleep Tips for Business Leaders

Don’t see sleep as wasted time. Instead, think of it as a way to boost your work:

1. Treat Sleep Like an Important Meeting

Top CEOs like Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates openly value sleep in their daily plans. Thus, block 7-8 hours for sleep just like you would for a key meeting. After all, what’s on your calendar shows what truly matters to you.

2. Set Up Your Bedroom for Better Sleep

Quality is just as vital as how long you sleep:

• Cool Room: Keep your bedroom between 65-68°F to help start the sleep process.
• Dark Space: Get rid of all blue light, including phones and small lights. Also, try blackout curtains if needed.
• Quiet Area: Use earplugs or sound machines to block noise. Even small sounds can keep you from deep sleep.

3. Try Helpful Sleep Tools

While you track business numbers closely, you might ignore your most basic success factor: sleep. Therefore, try:

• Using a good sleep tracker to measure both how long and how well you sleep
• Testing proven tools like cooling mattress systems or light devices

Companies That Value Rest Win More

Smart companies already know sleep is a business must-have. For instance, Google, Nike, and Aetna have added nap rooms, sleep classes, or sleep rewards for workers.

This creates a big chance for you. While others burn out from non-stop work, you can use proper rest to make better choices, come up with better ideas, and stay at your best for the long run.

Think About Sleep Differently

The biggest change starts in your mind. Stop seeing sleep as time away from work. Rather, see it as the base that makes your work hours much more useful.

Good sleep doesn’t fight against your goals—it helps reach them. In today’s busy business world, where brain power leads to success, good sleep isn’t just about health. Subsequently, it’s your most unused business tool.

Next time you think about cutting sleep for more work, remember: you’re not picking between doing well or resting. On the contrary, you’re picking between working at your best tomorrow or facing mental fog that will hurt every choice you make.