Sleep Is My New Superpower

For years, I used to say, “I only need four to five hours of sleep.” 

When I started my career, I worked five nights/week until 5:00 AM.
(Shout out to The Dome and other bar staff alumni from the 90s who can relate.) 

Then it was agency life. 
Fewer late nights, but it was hard to shut my brain off, and I would often wake up with ideas. 

Then it start-up life and the “Hustle” culture that told us that sleep was for the weak.
That you could grind harder, go longer, and somehow outwork biology.

But here’s the truth: the whole “Sleep when you’re dead” is a fast track to getting there sooner.
And at 55, I feel no need to speed that up.

In the 4th Quarter, quality sleep isn’t optional. 

Dr. Matthew Walker, author of the bestseller Why We Sleep, has shown in decades of research that quality sleep is the single greatest lever for memory, recovery, and even mortality. Sleep-deprived adults don’t just feel tired they increase their risk of heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and early death skyrockets. 

And cognition? 
Forget it. 
You don’t make sharper decisions on less sleep.
In fact, most of the time we make worse ones. (Walker interview here)

For me, the shift came when I realized I wasn’t impressing anyone with late nights.
Lately, I’m enjoying getting an early start on the day. 

So what can you do to improve the quality of your sleep? 

• Consistency. Making sleep non-negotiable.

• Wind down for 30–60 minutes. Shut the laptop, dim the lights, and read something calming.

• Keep a schedule. Go to bed and wake up at the same times. Your body loves rhythm.

• Set the stage. A dark, cool, quiet room beats any productivity hack.

In the 4th Quarter, your edge isn’t pulling all-nighters. 
It’s showing up with clarity, energy, and presence when others are running on fumes.

Sleep isn’t wasted time. 
It could be the most productive thing you can do.

Let’s play to win.