We think that our careers are all about action and especially doing things while we are awake.  Of course interviewing and networking are better when you conscious there are lots of things that you can do to have a great career while you’re asleep.

1. Use the power of your subconscious to work out your conscious issues

Before you go to bed tell your mind what you want it to do.  It could be to give you some help working out how to get your resume down to two pages or how to be calm during an interview the next day.  Whatever the thought your mind can work on these issues while you sleep.  When the next day comes round you may be surprised how new ideas come to mind or you have different answers to a problem that has been bugging you.  I have found that using this technique I have had difficult meetings go very smoothly or even problems with time crunches suddenly miraculously disappear because two conflicting calls were rescheduled without me even having to do anything.

2. Remember your dreams

Dreams are often messages that we can learn from but many of us have trouble remembering them or believe we don’t have dreams.   Most people do have dreams and you can remember them.  Techniques to recall a dream are to be woken up with an alarm – especially if it is earlier than you would normally wake up – rather than waking up naturally.  Having a notepad by your bed so you can immediately write down the dream.  I had a significant recurring dream about a house many years ago.  Everything in the home happened at the back away from other people.  I saw that I too had been hiding out in the backyard of my career and choose to step forward.  It worked out well and led to winning an award for a training program I worked on.

3. Sleep

The easiest way to improve your career through sleep is to allow yourself time to enjoy rest.  Many of us wake early and go to bed late and are walking around at work half asleep only awake because of coffee.  Get 7 – 8 hours sleep is what most doctors recommend.  Even if you can do with less treat yourself well and give your body permission to relax and renew.

Sleep well and have a great career.