Did you know that one out of every two adults in the Western world isn’t getting enough sleep?
![](https://wslb.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Sleepy-1024x576.jpg)
It’s gotten so bad that the World Health Organization has officially labeled insufficient sleep as a global pandemic.
Bonjour, in this video, I want to share a simple piece of advice that could make a world of difference to your health, energy levels, and productivity.
As I speak, it’s 9:30 PM, and I’m just about to hit the hay. If you could see behind me, you’d notice that it’s pitch dark on my balcony—a serene evening setting. Now, when I work with leaders, one of the most common complaint I hear is about how exhausted they feel, constantly playing catch-up with their sleep on weekends, and the toll it takes on every aspect of their lives.
![](https://wslb.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Tired-working-late-2-1024x576.jpg)
If you’re keen to dive deeper into the topic of sleep, there’s one expert I highly recommend: Matthew Walker. He’s a neuroscience and psychology professor at Berkeley, and his book “Why We Sleep” is an absolute game-changer.
![](https://wslb.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/why-we-sleep-book-cover.jpeg)
Among his many pearls of wisdom, one simple yet profound piece of advice stands out: “Don’t set an alarm to wake up; set a clock to go to bed.”
Walker suggests establishing a consistent bedtime routine, and for me, that means winding down around 9:20-9:30 PM, aiming to be asleep by 10-10:15 PM. In the morning, I let my body wake up naturally around 5:45 AM, without the need for a blaring alarm—unless, of course, I’ve got an early flight to catch.
![](https://wslb.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/waking-up-1024x576.jpg)
Adopting this approach has completely transformed my mindset. I’ve become steadfast about prioritising my bedtime and ditching the morning alarm clock.
So, my questions for you are this: Firstly, are you getting enough sleep? And secondly, do you have a bedtime routine in place rather than relying solely on your morning alarm?
This is this week’s Work Smarter: Live Better tip.
Wishing you a lovely day, a restful night’s sleep and a rejuvenated day ahead!
A bientôt,
Cyril