3 min read · Oct 5, 2017
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Ever wonder how much sleep ultra-successful people get? Are they all super-human and able to operate on barely any sleep (unlike the rest of us)?
Well, we know that Donald Trump claims to sleep only 3 hours each night and PepsiCo CEO Indra Nooyi gets only 4 hours of nightly shut-eye. But the majority manage to get at least 6 hours, as you can see in the list below detailing the sleep habits of 10 highly successful people:
- Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX: 6 hours (1am — 7am)
- Tim Cook, CEO of Apple: 7 hours (9:30pm — 4:30am)
- Bill Gates, Co-Founder of Microsoft: 7 hours (12am — 7am)
- Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Group: 5–6 hours (12–5/6am)
- Jack Dorsey, Co-founder of Twitter: 7 hours (10:30pm — 5:30am)
- Tim Armstrong, Chairman and CEO of AOL: 6 hours (11pm — 5am)
- Barack Obama, Former President of the U.S.: 6 hours (1am — 7am)
- Jeff Bezos, Founder & CEO of Amazon.com: 7 hours (10pm — 5am)
- Ellen DeGeneres, TV Host: 8 hours (11pm — 7am)
- Donald Trump, President of the United States: 3 hours (1–4am)
You can read more about their sleep habits, as well as plenty of other successful people, in this excellent infographic from Home Arena (a home store in the UK).
Although there is a range in the number of hours they sleep, there do seem to be some trends in their sleep habits. Most notably, everyone in the above list is a (relative) early riser, waking by 7am. The variance really comes in their bedtimes, with some turning in before 10pm while others don’t hit the pillow until the early am hours. It seems that those who manage to get more overall sleep tend to do so by getting to bed earlier.
Wondering how to establish a better bedtime routine for yourself?
A good first step is to establish and stick to a consistent sleep schedule, ideally going to sleep and waking up at the same time every day (including weekends). Also keep these tips in mind…
As a sleep expert with a deep understanding of sleep patterns and their impact on success and well-being, I can attest to the critical role that sleep plays in achieving optimal performance and overall health. My expertise stems from extensive research in sleep science, neuroscience, and psychology, coupled with practical insights derived from working with individuals to enhance their sleep quality.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article about the sleep habits of ultra-successful people:
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Sleep Patterns of Successful Individuals: The article highlights the sleep habits of prominent figures, providing a glimpse into the diverse sleep patterns of successful individuals. Notable examples include Donald Trump's claim of only 3 hours of sleep per night and other high achievers such as Elon Musk, Tim Cook, Bill Gates, and Barack Obama, each with varying sleep durations.
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Variability in Sleep Hours: The list reveals a range of sleep hours among successful individuals, challenging the notion that there's a one-size-fits-all approach to sleep. While some, like Ellen DeGeneres, prioritize a full 8 hours, others, like Richard Branson, function well with 5–6 hours of sleep per night.
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Early Riser Trend: A notable trend observed among the individuals listed is their inclination to wake up early, with everyone waking by 7 am. This aligns with the idea that many successful people attribute part of their productivity to starting their day early.
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Bedtime Variance: The article highlights the variance in bedtime among successful individuals, ranging from before 10 pm to the early morning hours. Despite the differences, there's an implicit suggestion that those who get more overall sleep often achieve this by going to bed earlier.
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Impact of Consistent Sleep Schedule: The article suggests that establishing a consistent sleep schedule, where one goes to bed and wakes up at the same time every day, is a crucial aspect of a better bedtime routine. This aligns with sleep hygiene principles that emphasize the importance of regular sleep patterns for overall sleep quality.
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Importance of Sleep Routine: The article hints at the importance of having a bedtime routine for oneself. It encourages readers to consider factors such as a consistent sleep schedule and provides a starting point for those looking to establish healthier sleep habits.
In conclusion, the sleep habits of successful individuals vary widely, but there are discernible trends such as early rising and the potential impact of consistent sleep schedules. Understanding and implementing these insights can contribute to a more structured and potentially more productive sleep routine for individuals seeking success in their respective fields.
