I can go for months having the most blissful sleeps.

When I awaken, I feel rested and really very good.

You might think that all of this wonderful repose is a prerequisite for setting the world on fire, enabling me to accomplish super-human feats.

Well, I have news for you. I am actually more productive when I have bouts of sleeplessness. In this way, I suppose Im like Thomas Edison.

Youve heard his story. Allegedly, he slept for only a few hours out of every 24, taking frequent catnaps to maintain his high energy level and to support his inventive prowess.

All of the reports Ive read seem to suggest that Edison, great man that he was, deliberately chose this sleep-style. I dont buy it.

I think he suffered from insomnia, as I do, occasionally. But his distinction is in how he used his malady, constructively.

My guess is that he wasted zero time worrying about missing sleep. When he awoke, he worked, and at the first hint of fatigue, he napped.

Most insomniacs perceive their sleep and wakeful cycles as problems to be perplexed about, and to be managed better, if not to be solved one day, entirely.

But I see it differently:

Sleeplessness isnt a problem; its an opportunity!

Used well, it can enable us to get a lot more done than were permitting ourselves to do.

An hour ago I was awake at 4:45 a.m. and worrying about a past due account that I have.

I knew I wouldnt be able to get that off my mind, if I stayed in bed, so I got up and I wrote an article called, The Deal Is Not Made Until The Money Is Paid!

Next, I started writing this piece, and at this moment I have plenty of energy, and Im happy as a clam, having jump-started my day so productively.

So, whats going to happen next?

(1) Ill keep producing, and get back onto my normal sleep cycle this evening; or

(2) Ill play it like Edison; if I tire, Ill catnap, and accept the productivity that comes with being as productive as possible whenever I awaken.

Either way, I win.

You can, too. Use your sleep patterns as constructively as you can. If you have a problem thats keeping you up, work on it. Accomplish something positive with respect to managing it better, or solving it.

Then, having done so, youll unconsciously feel you deserve your rest, and youll be ready, willing and able to let it gently come over you.