11 Things The Most Successful People Do Every Night Before Bed
Dec 28, 2018 by apost team
It’s no secret to anyone that today’s world is moving at a more rapid pace than it ever has before. We are all constantly connected, constantly fighting for the next big promotion or big break, and constantly feeling that we need to push ourselves harder. That leaves many of us absolutely enthralled with the idea of reaching an incredibly high level of success.
People flock to hear or read the stories of successful people. We thrive on reading about how the ebb and flow of their past successes and failures brought them to the wonderful life they have today. We even look to self-made, self-help gurus that promise to offer us the secrets behind their path to success.
We are literally fascinated by successful people. We wonder how they start their mornings, how they balance work and professional life, and even the daily nuances of diet and exercise that we hope will help catapult us to the top. One thing that is often overlooked is the importance of sleep when it comes to finding success.
Have you ever wondered what exactly people who run Fortune 500 companies do before they wind down for bed? Have you ever guessed how many hours they sleep at night? Below are the 10 most interesting, and efficient, things that highly successful people do before tucking themselves into bed.
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1. They crack open a book.
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Did you know that experienced behavioral experts have found that the last thing the most successful people do before heading to bed is reading? Opening the brain with a good book is often a non-negotiable to everyone from national leaders, to business tycoons, to fashion icons.
2. They take time to unwind.
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Many people think of successful people as workaholics that fall asleep with an open laptop in the wee hours of the morning, only to wake up at a few hours later to start the day again. That concept is completely wrong. Those people are the exception to the rule and, frankly, that type of work pattern often leads to folks burning out.
The most successful people put a great value on the power of a good night’s sleep. They put together a specific ritual that allows them to unwind from the day. This could be things like time with family, meditating or simply taking time to prepare a great lunch for the next day. Successful people know how important balance is to success.
3. They permit themselves nostalgia.
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People who are truly successful know that the most important things in life don’t center on a paycheck or a corner office. Prior to going to sleep, the most successful people take a mental break to focus on something nostalgic that brings them peacefulness and happiness.
4. They don't rule out daydreaming.
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It isn’t just creative people that understand the power of daydreaming. Mindfulness has allowed some of the most successful people to discover breakthroughs or new inventions. Daydreaming allows the mind to relax, giving it the space to develop goals or find inspiration.
5. They prepare a concrete plan for the next day.
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Truly successful people won’t spend hours fretting about the next day’s workload. Instead, they will spend quality minutes to invest in the priorities of the next day. This allows them to wake up with a plan in place and leaves them with a sense of accomplishment for the day.
6. They disconnect.
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We are all constantly connected. Research has found that using electronic devices right before going to bed actually makes it harder to sleep. Electronic devices wind up the brain like a shot of caffeine. People who disconnect get better sleep and wake up ready to take charge the next day.
7. They make time for what really matters.
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The best of the best know that work simply can’t be everything in life. They carve out time to spend focused on their loved ones. Even the furry loved ones deserve a special time.
8. They make gratefulness a priority.
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People who are the most successful also tend to be the ones that are the most grateful for their success. It’s human nature to give mind space to the things we wish we did better during the day. However, practicing gratefulness for the things that went well breeds positivity and joy.
9. They know decompression is crucial.
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Successful people are naturally exposed to a higher level of stress. The most successful people take time every evening to decompress. Decompression can be whatever makes you happy, as long as you are free from the daily stressors.
10. They forget the booze.
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Most successful people know that alcohol before bedtime is a recipe for a poor sleep. While many successful people don’t completely abstain from alcohol, they focus on getting a refreshing sleep.
We would love to hear which of these steps you would like to take to become more successful in your daily life. These may seem like simple tasks, but each one has been shown to contribute to a highly successful life.