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+64 3 351 2140 Did you know that our society is becoming sleep-deprived? This causes all manner of fatigue-related problems in the workplace - not just a reduction of effectiveness and efficiency, but also safety. We see messages about fatigue on our roads – but the same message should also be shouted in the workplace. Many of the worst accidents we’ve seen in recent times have occurred at the end of long shifts - Chernobyl being just one example.
Part of the cause is that almost all of us are awake for longer hours than a century ago, due to the opportunities afforded by electricity. Add to that the impact of an increasing global economy, the advent of the internet and modern telecommunications and we discover that since the 1980s many people have built up an increasing sleep deficit.
How many people do you know who never turn off their Blackberries or other PDAs (and will answer them if they ring during the night)? (No wonder they’re called Crackberries now!) Or take their laptops home almost every night so they can continue to work? Or work across borders and have to get up early or stay up late to talk to colleagues or clients on other sides of the world? Or do ‘stuff’ on their computers late at night? 
Less than 40 years ago we didn’t have 24-hour TV, we didn’t have DVDs, and we certainly didn’t have computers and the World Wide Web. In only a few decades the way we live has changed dramatically, and there are consequences.
Hey, I’m not trying to turn the clock back. I love the way we can communicate so freely and readily around the globe in today’s world. However, I do encourage people to notice what’s happening and how we manage it. Just because we can do something doesn’t mean we should. Efficiency isn’t about cramming more into any 24-hour period. Instead the more useful and higher-level skill is to become better at exercising wisdom of choice.
Any of us operating in a global economy (and I include myself in this group) has to do funny hours some of the time. Almost all of us will sit up late from time to time to watch a gripping TV programme, a favourite sporting event or the latest breaking news on something dramatic on the other side of the world. But ask yourself - how often is that normal for you?
If you’re finding that switch-off time is the exception rather than the rule, what are you doing to your body? And how effective are you - truthfully? How creative is your thinking? Or is there a sense of overwhelming commitments, relentless pressure, a feeling of being on a spinning treadmill.
A simple solution
You might think it’s a bit way out, but power naps are a very simple way to solve the problem. It was power napping that kept Winston Churchill operating at full steam through all the tough WW II years. When tired he’d pop upstairs (when he was working at Downing Street) and hop into bed for about 20 minutes. He also had a special nap chair near his office. A few of the other famous names who’ve applied the same habit - Margaret Thatcher, John F. Kennedy, Beethoven, Benjamin Franklin, Leonardo Da Vinci, Eleanor Roosevelt, Johannes Brahms, John D. Rockefeller, Dali, Robert Louis Stevenson and Albert Einstein.
Quite aside from the fatigue issue, have you noticed that the best ideas never come when you’re sitting at your desk? And how often is a brilliant idea or the solution to a problem sitting in your mind when you wake in the morning. Imagine tapping into that resource through the day. Often it is when we nap that fresh ideas, new insights, and solutions rise to the surface of our mind. According to the Salk Institute for Biological Studies (http://www.salk.edu/index.php) naps enable our brain activity to remain high throughout the day. If we fail to take a nap, our brain activity declines.
Einstein knew this. He was very deliberate in his use of power naps, using them to solve problems. He would relax in a comfortable chair or on a sofa, his head propped on his hand whilst holding a handful of ball bearings. When the hand relaxed enough to drop the ball bearings he would wake up and quickly write down whatever was in his mind. Many of his most brilliant ideas came to him in this alpha state or twilight zone. He relied on the noise of the falling ball bearings to wake him up; to have slept longer would have taken him into deep sleep.
‘But we’re a corporate environment. It’s not ok to nap at work!’ you might be saying. Really? This article is about ROI. Seems to me that this could be a very practical and easy-to-achieve ROI. If employers took time to analyse the benefits they’d reap from increased effectiveness if employees could nap as needed in the afternoon, you might be surprised how much support the concept would get. If the company can get higher productivity with fewer mistakes, why wouldn’t it support such behaviour?
Maybe many staff work in an open plan environment. There are other solutions – going out of the building, sitting in your car in the car park, utilising a sick room, or perhaps there’s a quiet room that can be accessed. Nike is just one of a number of large corporations who now provide quiet rooms (or relaxation rooms) which their employees can use as they choose (as long as there’s no talking). Other companies make it ‘ok’ for staff to leave their desks to refresh and revitalise.
If you’d like more information, check out a new company on the scene in New Zealand - http://www.metronaps.co.nz/nz/training_solutions.aspx or do a Google on “Power Naps”.
Robyn Pearce CSP (Certified Speaking Professional) is the Time Queen. She mastered her own time challenges and now helps people around the world overcome theirs. She can show you how to transform your time challenges into high productivity and the life balance you desire.
© All Rights Reserved to Robyn Pearce, GettingAGrip.com, PO Box 29 586, Fendalton, Christchurch 8540, New Zealand Ph.+ 64 3 351 2140
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Catalyst For Efficiency ImprovementsIt was great to introduce our two job-share receptionists to Robyn’s Getting a Grip on The Paper War text. It became a catalyst for us to improve our administration proce..." Marie Collins, Business Manager, The NZ Institute of Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery
Enhanced Efficiency Thank you for all the tips and words of advice you and your team have sent through.I have been constantly reading it and it does wonders to my line of work and also being a wife and mot..." Anaseini Liku, Communication & Media Coordinator, Ministry of Education, Cook Islands
Clear Directions Enhance Use Of TimeI have just finished reading 'Getting a Grip on Time' and 'Getting a Grip on the Paper War'. Particularly your book on 'Time' got me back on track, and during the day I catc..." Ingrid Geerlings, Owner, www.houseofmilk.com
Leadership Book Helps To find the Real Me‘I’ve just been reading ‘Getting a grip on Leadership’. It is very good and has had an impact on me. I realised I’d lost my way a bit re who I am ..." Heather Millar, Manager, Professional Practice, Central North Island Kindergarten Association, New Zealand
Additional $120,000 Billed After Time Management CourseI have personally known Robyn Pearce for around 16 years. From time to time my firm has contracted Robyn on a project basis to work with our professional staff as well as partners in the fi..." John Hackett, Partner, A J Park, New Zealand
The Librarian Who Got Her Life Back!The kick-start that I needed was delivered by a velvet glove, but make no mistake the iron hand within the glove ensured that the message was received and understood. If you are going to spend some..." Heather Jenks, Associate University Librarian (Research and Learning Services), University of Canterbury
Increasing Personal Confidence And Job ManagementHaving worked already very successfully with our NZ Team, Robyn's support of the Australian Team over a 12-month period was fundamental to helping us cope with increased day to day workload - espec..." Julia Braun, General Manager - Marketing, Beiersdorf Australia
A Great Empathy And Affinity With PeopleI have used Robyn as an Executive Coach for key Senior Staff for a number of years now and couldn't recommend her more highly. I've found as people step up in the organisation they often struggle t..." Merilyn Havler, Then General Manager, Beiersdorf New Zealand
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Motivational And Thought Provoking SessionI'd like to highlight the benefits felt both by the staff members attending your sessions, and the motivational flow-on effects experienced throughout the Hotel.In the developmental sta..." Human Resources Manager, Wentworth Hotel (part of the Rydges chain)
Successful Paper Management SeminarThank you for your interesting and indeed challenging speech. I could see all the people who've been buried under mountains of paper looking hopeful! You were succinctly able to get your point acro..." Australian Institute of Credit Managers, Sydney Branch
Personalised Seminar For Long-term ResultsOn behalf of the team at Strategic Lifestyle Management and our client Lend Lease I would like to thank you for the 'Getting A Grip on Time' workshops. My client was looking for a high quality and ..." SLM Conference and Incentive Manager, for client Lend Lease
Excellent Skilful Presenter "Thank you for the practical and informative Time Management seminar you recently gave to our senior management team". You are an excellent presenter and facilitated this seminar with great skill. ..." HR Manager, ANA Hotel, Sydney
Improve Your Organisation And ProductivityThe response to the program was extremely positive, with an average rating of 4.4 out of 5. For some the workshop provided an opportunity to revisit the disciplines around time management, ..." Noel Cook, GM, Outdoor Network, Australia
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Productivity Increased 50%Now several months later and my productivity has increased between 30% and 50%. I'm seeing more and better clients, almost 90% proactive. I'm starting around 8am, leaving by 6pm and spend sleep hou..." Senior financial planner, IPAC, Australia
Timesaving Techniques LearnedA wonderful surprise to learn how much I had improved since the first programme with you nine months ago. Even so, this time I learnt a whole new layer of further useful timesaving techniques and d..." National Sales Manager, Personal Insurance, GIO Australia
Control Gained In Managing TimeFeedback from the staff was very positive... all felt they had gained a great deal of control and discipline in managing their time in an effective manner. MD, C.Y. O'Connor College of TAFE, Northam, WA
Immediate Action For ChangeA lot of great new ideas and some very good new tools that I shall start implementing immediately. Group Services Trainer, Adecco
Increased Efficiency Saves 20-25 Minutes A Day"Many practical hints which helped me reorganise my office, to operate efficiently." In subsequent conversation this same partner also said "I would estimate I save myself 20-25 minutes a day becau..." Senior Partner, Baldwin (Patent Attorneys)
Invaluable Resources In Time Management BooksI would like to take this opportunity to commend you on the flexibility of your approach, and enjoyable delivery style. Even considering the spectrum of experience amongst our participants you were..." Human Resources Manager, Professional Services Review, Canberra
Self Management Crucial In Time ManagementYou presented a most informative and challenging training session. Your ability to gain quick rapport with the participants, focus on the group's key issues, and address various ways of overcoming ..." Human Resources Manager, Independent Pricing & Regulatory Tribunal of NSW
'Time Management Guru'!Once again you combine an enthusiastic presentation style with useful tips and techniques. Succinct and fun programmes are so successful with people who believe they have heard it all before! Furth..." Manager - Training & Development, Real Estate Institute of NSW
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Positive Feedback For SpeechRobyn, you gave a fantastic speech, and I am still having positive feedback about your talk to this day! Sales and Marketing Co-ordinator, Swiss Grand Hotel, Bondi, and co-ordinator of Eastern Suburbs Women's Breakfast
Work Life Balance Put Into PracticeI know everyone who attended was fascinated by all your planning tips and I know many have put them into practice already. Your enthusiasm and dedication to the assistance of everyone getting more ..." Solo Home Business Network, Sydney
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Professional Approach Reinforces Time Management PrinciplesFollowing a number of very positive reference checks we invited Robyn Pearce to speak as part of the 'Practice Support Staff' stream of our National Conference. She was a delight to deal with, and ..." Godfrey Pembroke National Conference, Hobart, Tasmania
Staff Queue For Time Management Tips!"Thank you! I'm sure you could tell from everyone's enthusiasm that they enjoyed your presentation - and from the way everyone queued to speak to you afterwards, they were very keen to learn more! Programme Director, Pioneer SWAP
Specific Personalised Advice Benefits GroupRobyn gave much more than the professional information imparted in this kind of session. She engaged directly with each of the participants' major concerns and provided helpful advice that was also..." Principal Heritage Officer, Heritage Council NSW
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L.J. Hooker Predicts Great Success In Using Their TimeYour down-to-earth common sense certainly hit home to a lot of people, and the feedback was very good. I would particularly like to thank you for the time you took in researching L.J. Hooke..." Lyn McDermott, Ass. Director, Marketing and Communication, L.J. Hooker Ltd
5 Stars For Time Management CourseRobyn, in light of this morning's session (and comments about short emails!) I could leave it there but I won't. I've "been around" long enough to be a bit ho-hum about "organise yourself" seminars..." Wilf Marley, Principal, Marley Loft Systems (Accountants)
Simple Practical Action Steps For Work Life BalanceWe've had great feedback since your last session with the NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants. Your pragmatism is so appealing. You gave us simple things to focus on that don't require a whole ne..." Denise Bovaird, Past President, New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants
Improved Focus And Concentration After Time Management CourseSince your time management course our managers have found that they can now focus better. Your tips on managing email, how to concentrate on the task at hand, and how to effectively plan first thin..." John Moore, Then-HR Manager, International Cricket Council, Dubai
Jam-packed Personalised Seminar Very EffectiveRobyn spoke to four of my Academy groups in the space of 11 days. I was really, really impressed, not only with her presentation style and the great interactivity, empathy and rapport that she gene..." Barrie Barrett, Chairman, Academy for Chief Executives, United Kingdom
"Awesome" Says Busy Law ClerkI just thought I'd spend a few minutes in the Proactive/Value-adding quadrant and let you know how informative and helpful your seminar for us law clerks here last week was. I particularly enjoyed ..." Law Clerk, Bell Gully, New Zealand
Excellent 'Management' Course, As Well As 'Time Management'I would like to extend a huge thank you for making your valuable time available to facilitate and present the "Getting A Grip on Time Management" Training Course to our advisers and administrators ..." David Greenslade, Managing Director, Strategi, New Zealand
We've Regained 30% Of The Time We Used to Lose!Since we worked with Robyn 5 months ago our team of 12 underwriters and support staff have improved our effectiveness significantly. Amongst other things we've regained about 30% of the time we use..." Paula Harris, Senior Underwriter, QBE Insurance, New Zealand
Fantastic Course - Team Feedback Extremely Positive!Thanks very much for the Time Management programme you have conducted over the last 6 weeks.The course was fantastic and I really appreciate how you accommodated our brief into your presentation an..." Gareth McCulloch, National Sales Manager, Southern Hospitality Limited
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