Sleep - how little can we get by with?

When I do the Time Choices workshop or coach people on how they use their time, the question comes always comes up about how much sleep is enough. A recent New York Times article, quoting research done at the University of Pennsylvania answers that question!

Most people (Adults) need 8 hours sleep. If we get less than that... we become impaired in our thinking. The average number of hours slept in the U.S. is 6.9...... There is a small % (less than 5%) that are effective with less than 6 hours and a similar small % who needs more than 8 hours.

So.... what are we doing to ensure we get those 8 hours???