Are you having trouble writing? Do you feel like you can’t regain your focus? Do you feel short-tempered and irritable?

When we feel this way, the first conclusion we jump to is that we have writer’s block or that we’re just not creative. The problem could be much simpler than that.

Maybe you’re just tired.

When your body doesn’t get enough sleep, you get irritable. Your brain doesn’t function as well. Your judgment is compromised and you aren’t as focused, disciplined, or creative.

Maybe you need the same thing that preschoolers need whenever they get cranky. It’s probably time for a nap.

A lot of people assume that taking a nap is lazy, or it’s just something that kids do. But many of history’s greatest leaders and creative minds were famous nappers. John F. Kennedy, Leonardo da Vinci, Margaret Thatcher, Winston Churchill, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan were all known to take regular naps. These leaders realized they needed to be well-rested and alert to function at their best.

I take a nap almost every day. I lean back in my office chair, put a small towel over my eyes to block out the light, set an alarm for ten or fifteen minutes later, and then sail off to dreamland.

Even if you don’t fall all the way asleep, you will still benefit from taking a break and resting your body, mind, and spirit.

The comedian Ben Stein said, “Sleep more at night. If it’s allowed at work or home, take a nap in the afternoon. You’ll be amazed at how much better you’ll feel.”

True words, for sure. If you’re feeling tired, don’t feel guilty about taking a nap. It is one of the most productive things you can do.

Today’s Challenge: Take a nap today and see how it energizes you for the rest of the day!