A method of operating a wireless communication device in a wireless communication network is disclosed. The wireless communication device transitions between a plurality of modes, wherein the plurality of modes further includes a sleep mode, wherein the wireless communication device does not listen for downlink data transmissions, and the plurality of modes further includes an active mode, wherein the wireless communication device listens for downlink data transmissions. While the wireless communication device is operating in the active mode, it receives control signalling from a transmitter to adjust a length of time for transitioning between a first mode among the plurality of modes and a second mode among the plurality of modes based on one or more sleep rules. The wireless communication device transitions from the first mode to the second mode based, at least in part, on the adjusted length of time.