Being busy and being effective separate quickly when sleep disappears.

When sleep is intact, busyness and effectiveness can look similar, because you have enough capacity to make even the wasteful parts work. Take the sleep away and the difference is immediate. The same hours produce less, mistakes multiply, and you find yourself working long stretches with little to show for them. Sleep does not just support the work, it is what makes the work count.

Before adding hours to a struggling week, try adding an hour of sleep instead. Compare the two weeks honestly. Most people are surprised by which one produces more.