A happy engine is a fast engine

I saw this article referenced in one or two places I read before getting to Worthwhile. Let's Hear it for the Overworked Brain surgeon

So why do many companies entrust their creative and strategic thinking to people who not only must be very, very tired -- but also have no time to travel for new perspectives, or to read a book or magazine that introduces fresh ideas, or to think about much of anything but the piles of work before them?

In a seminar several years ago, a competitive cyclist was talking about doing a 24-hour challenge, where the goal is to ride as far as you can in 24-hours. The lasting remark I took away was that "a happy engine is a fast engine." In his example, he took a nap in the middle of the night, contrary to common practice, because he knew it would leave him refreshed and able to complete the ride in much better spirits. (This was Tom Bruni of Bruni Bicycles.) Anita Sharpe's post follows this concept directly.

A happy brain is an innovative brain.
[Update: changed the last bit to make it clearer.]