As a free-lance writer, I’ve known this for years, Many times a strategic nap has gotten me past a challenging writing issue, which ultimately helps my customer’s bottom line. And it’s a win-win situation. I can rightfully bill my customer for the nap time, usually itemized as “Creative Development.”

My home office features a Herman Miller Celle chair, and I love it. Behind it, I installed a Murphy Bed—you know, the pivot bed invented in 1918 that you can fold up into a cabinet and that menaced the Three Stooges. I eschewed the cabinet to simplify use. Normally, I leave the bed in the lowered position to double as a handy credenza. Also, the lowered position gives me ready nap access. I simply turn 180 degrees in my Celle chair, then tumble forward into napping position. The entire process takes less than three seconds.

I am living proof that supporting the nap can produce positive results for everyone. This is something for corporate America to consider when planning workplaces. The New York Times, in the August 4, 2009 editorial, “To Nap, Perchance to Dream,” put it this way: “Plenty of us bring work home. Why not bring a little sleep to the office? It worked in kindergarten. It would work even better now.”

By Bill Holm