#887 sleep on it

In the frenzy of the NFL draft during the movie Draft Day, managers are on the phone with each other attempting to make a deal.  Typically they give each other an extremely limited amount of time in which to make a decision.

In one scene, manager Sonny Weaver (Kevin Costner) calls back a bit after the stated deadline.  The terms of the deal have become much less favorable for Sonny.  When he asks why the original deal isn't being honored, the other manager replies: "Because the world is different than it was 30 minutes ago." 

True, in the case of the NFL draft, but for most decisions you make there is time to make them.  Many studies have shown that "sleeping on it" is actually good advice.  Your brain accesses information during the night and you often find new solutions to problems during the night.

The next time you have a decision to make, try to make the terms such that they allow you an overnight period for incubation.  The draft may make for good movie material, but sleep makes for good decisions.

-- beth triplett
leadershipdots.blogspot.com

@leadershipdots
leadershipdots@gmail.com

Source: Eat, Move, Sleep by Tom Rath, 2013, p. 171-172.