We all want that dream job—the one that gets us out of bed. But how do you reach your dream job if you're running on three hours of sleep and a whole lot of caffeine? You can’t. Literally.

The science backs it up, and my own journey confirms it: without quality sleep, you’re just running in circles, yawning through the day, and living in a mental fog. Since August 2024, I’ve been tracking my sleep with an Oura ring (I bought a Gen3 one), and let me tell you—those sleep stats don’t lie.

As an early-evening chronotype, I’m a person who can enjoy a late night but also have no problem calling it quits early.

We evening folks are known for our creativity, and while I haven’t exactly reinvented the wheel, I did come up with my SMS Approach—which is no breakthrough or disruptor, but hey, it’s pure me!

My optimal sleep schedule should be:

Here’s a quick snapshot of where I stand:

Not bad, right? But not great either. Those little gaps in REM and deep sleep, those few points off the ideal sleep score? They make a real difference. So, let’s look at how we can actually start sleeping long enough to bring our best selves to the table.

Ever felt like you were on autopilot? I’ve been there too.

It turns out, lack of sleep doesn’t just make us groggy; it actually eats away at everything we need to succeed: focus, creativity, decision-making. All those things we need to do meaningful work and make a lasting impact.

So let’s break this down. It’s not about just getting any sleep; it’s about getting the right sleep and the right amount of it. Based on my own sleep journey with the Oura ring, here are the tactics I’ve tried to move closer to that ideal balance.

Imagine this: waking up after a solid night of sleep, your mind clear, ideas popping, and a feeling like today, you could take on the world. That’s what a good night’s sleep can do. It’s not just an energy boost; it’s like a creative refresh button. You’re not just “getting through the day”; you’re crushing it, setting yourself apart, and enjoying every second of it.

That dream job we’re after requires us to be at our best—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. Consistent sleep is the best tool in our kit, yet it’s often the most overlooked. Want to boost memory, make faster decisions, or tap into more creative ideas? Start with sleep.

So how do you go from “barely scraping by” to a productivity powerhouse? By making sleep a priority. Here are the exact steps I’ve implemented to boost my sleep quality and make my days more productive.

Your brain loves routines. Pick a time (Mine is apparently 12:24 am. I'm not happy about it but will keep trying to go to bed earlier) and make it sacred. Treat it like a crucial meeting with your future self. When your bedtime is set, it’s easier to wind down and slip into quality sleep.

I’m a big fan of tracking sleep to get that full picture. The Oura ring, for example, highlights metrics like REM, deep sleep, and sleep efficiency. And if REM sleep is too low, maybe it’s time to put the phone down a bit sooner or tweak the evening routine.

This isn’t about spa music and fancy pillows (unless you’re into that). Think of it as a wind-down ritual. I usually avoid screens 30 minutes before bed (Not entirely though. You'll find out why in a second.).

Try something that calms you down—read, listen to a podcast, or journal for a few minutes. I read for at least 30 minutes every single night on my Kindle.

Staying up to “finish a project” might seem heroic, but it’s actually killing your productivity for the next day. Trust me, one extra hour of rest is worth more than an extra hour of tired work.

Once you’ve tracked sleep, you know what needs work. Not getting enough deep sleep? Aim to go to bed 10 minutes earlier or spend more time winding down. And if you’re improving in REM? Keep at it! Consistency is key.

When you’re after a dream job, don’t sell yourself short by skimping on sleep.

Prioritizing rest isn’t lazy—it’s the ultimate life hack.

Embrace sleep as your personal secret weapon for focus, creativity, and ultimate success.

Next time you’re tempted to sacrifice sleep for a few extra work hours, ask yourself: “Do I want to be a zombie at my dream job or bring my A-game?”

Trust me, your dreams (and dream job) will thank you.

Dream big, sleep well, and keep it simple—your best work deserves it! 🧑🏻‍🦲

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