CHARLA HUBER
Taking lessons from successful people, Charla tries some improvement
A t 20 years old, I came to Victoria on a camping trip and decided to stay. I had a tent, a backpack and about $400. I remember walking through neighbourhoods looking at nice houses and wondering how people became successful. It’s humbling to think of those days now.
A few weeks ago, I started reading about daily routines of successful people such as Bill Gates, Arianna Huffington and Mark Zuckerberg.
I adopted a few new routines, and I’ve noticed a significant impact to my productivity, in all aspects of my life. I decided to ask successful people here in Greater Victoria and see what their routines are. Across the board, each person I spoke with wakes up early, goes to bed early and exercises — most do it in the morning.
Each day, Mark Collins, B.C. Ferries president and CEO, wakes up at 4:45 a.m.
“I wake up and orient myself and read the Times Colonist and some news websites. I scan my day, look at my calendar and decide what I need to prioritize.”
Collins is in the office before 6:30 a.m. every day.
“It’s the best time of day to be most productive, and my mind is clear,” he said, adding he divides his day in two parts. “Morning is for numbers and analysis, and afternoon is for people and relationships.”
After working an 11-hour day, Collins likes to spend his evening working on his small boat.
“It’s my hobby. When work is challenging, it’s nice to turn off in the evening. When I am working on my boat, I don’t think about anything else.”
When I told Collins that I have been waking up at 5 a.m. for about a month, he assured me: “It gets easier.”
For Sherri Bell, Camosun College CEO and president, the work week starts on Sunday night, as she schedules both her exercise routines and her work attire for the week.
“I organize all my outfits for the week. I pick my shoes, suit jacket or dress depending on what I am doing that day,” said Bell.
John Kafka was a partner in Cornerstone Planning Group for 18 years. He also has interesting routines involving clothes. At night, he sets out his clothes for the next day, so he doesn’t have to think about it in the morning. When he gets home from work, he changes his clothes, even if he went to work in jeans.
“It’s just how I transition from one place to another,” he said, adding he likes to work outside in the evening to remind himself he’s not in the office.
Esquimalt-Metchosin MLA Mitzi Dean makes an effort to leave her work bag at the front door when she gets home, then she devotes that time to her seven-year-old daughter.
“It really lets me switch off,” Dean said.
Creating a solid transition from work and home was another recurring theme among the conversations.
“My routines give me time to just be me and they help me feel refreshed,” said Dean.
When James McKenzie, Monk Office chairman, was the company’s CEO, he would start his day with its strategic plan.
“I would look at it and say: ‘What can I do to move forward on this today?’ ” McKenzie said.
Personally, I like this idea. It seems like a good way to ensure you are always working toward a goal.
Since retiring, McKenzie has added reading the newspaper to his early morning routine.
“The Times Colonist gives me a window to what is happening in the community,” said McKenzie.
At night, McKenzie enjoys time with friends and family, and makes a mental list of all the good things that happened that day.
“It’s so critical to take time for yourself,” McKenzie said. “I look after myself, in order for me to be there for my kids, my mother and my employees.”
Greg Connor, vice-president of human resources and corporate secretary for B.C. Transit, explained how he prioritizes volunteering in his daily routines. Connor devotes his time to working with many charities, including Make A Wish Foundation of B.C. and the United Way. He said he finds fulfilment through his efforts.
“Some people say they are too busy to help, but if you set it as a routine, then you can find the time,” Connor said.