It may take some time but you will see gains to your routine. For example, Mike Mack likes sunrise cycling alongside Edmonton’s stunning river valley.
If you think about your day like a bookend, the morning is on one side and the evening is on the other. Many times, you can’t control all the things that happen during the day (between your bookends). Last-minute sales meetings, traffic delays, customer service concerns, family emergencies – they all bring a certain unpredictability into daily life.
I gained great insights into the ‘bookends theory’ a few years back from a man I greatly admire – Darren Hardy, publisher of SUCCESS magazine. He is also author of the New York Times bestselling book “The Compound Effect”.
The concept is simple to understand, but more difficult to implement. Let’s start by establishing the morning routine of a few different personality types.
Person Asleeps past his alarm, races to the shower, grabs clothes from a pile yet to be hung, skips breakfast and grabs a quick coffee on his way out the door. His day started behind schedule and he’ll spend the rest of it playing catch-up, but he thrives on the adrenaline and rolls with the punches.
Person B, on the other hand, will set her alarm early, sip coffee and reflect on the day ahead. Maybe she’ll get up early for a run, or head to the fitness centre to strengthen her mind and body. She’ll be organized, having laid out her clothes the night before, and makes time to eat a healthy breakfast to provide needed brain fuel for her day.
Now, let’s look at the evening, leading up to bedtime. For some people, this means going to bed at 10 p.m. because they know they have a busy day ahead. These are the ‘morning’ people, and most of them find they work better in the earlier hours of the day and adjust their schedule accordingly.
The ‘night owl’, on the other hand, will most likely stay up later, unwinding with TV, a bit of yoga, perhaps meditation … and might even check a few last emails to get a jump on things before the next day begins. For the most part, both the night owl and the morning person can be an effective worker – sticking to a routine and behaviours can enhance our days, and our nights. The trick is to know which one you are.
I know I am an early person, and it is my personal goal to improve the morning bookend of my day. It’s easy and almost instinctive to go right into work mode within minutes of getting up. This leaves little time for wellness activities, reflection or even meditation.
It’s taken some time, but I’m seeing small gains as I work on my morning routine – like incorporating a sunrise bike ride along our stunning river valley. What a glorious way to start a day! It proves to me that even the slightest tweaks to our bookends can make a big difference, no matter if you’re an early bird OR a night owl.
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Lisa Hunka
Leadership and Executive Coach
“Lisa challenges others to push past self-imposed limits.”
Lisa works with motivated leaders, executives, and aspirants who are committed to evolving into their best selves. Her coaching style reflects an approach that is outcome orientated. Her motivation is centered around better leadership and is driven to help teams and individuals bring themselves to a new peak. Her warmth and presence allow her clients to feel at ease while drawing on insights that arise during the coaching conversation.
Having extensive experience in her professional career, Lisa is able to foster a partnership with her clients while bringing an appreciation to the challenges they are facing. As your coach, she will be alongside you at every step of your coaching journey. Before becoming a coach, Lisa held various roles in several industries including forestry, oil & gas, midstream, and utilities.
Mike Mack of X5 Management and Lisa have known each other for over 13 years, connected initially through their university’s MBA networking events. Their connection grew beyond these and other professional events, where they continued their enthusiasm for pursuing professional and business growth and learning.
Lisa holds an MBA from Athabasca University and a science degree from the University of Alberta. She is currently attending The University of British Columbia’s Organizational Coaching Certificate program. Additionally, she is a member of the International Coach Federation (ICF) and aspires to attain her Associate Certified Coach (ACC) certification after completion of the requirements. She is also a volunteer member of the Volunteer Steering Committee with Banff National Park as well as a volunteer Park Steward.
Lisa has spent her professional years in both British Columbia and Alberta and is currently residing in Calgary. When she is not working, Lisa feels privileged to spend time in the mountains connecting with friends and nature while hiking, backpacking, or climbing.
“Kris believes giving back is the greatest reward”
Kris is a focused and goal-oriented business professional with extensive executive experience. She has a passion for inspiring and coaching others and believes a positive work culture is key for business growth and sustainability. She is adept in training, leadership and promoting teamwork.
Kris engages in business mentoring, professional coaching to help leaders and businesses with organizational management, serving as a trusted advisor and sounding board. Kris believes leadership and executive coaching offers the insights and guidance to help leaders and entrepreneurs achieve their desired outcomes, with confidence and purpose. She believes everyone has potential, if they are willing to execute, and take action.
She has known Mike Mack of X5 Management for over 12 years and their professional paths have crossed many times, including their MBA program and the extensive involvement in Toastmasters. They are collaborating on supporting business clients through Coaching, Training and Consulting services.
Kris has her Distinguished Toastmaster designation from Toastmasters International and her Life Coaching Certification from New Skills Academy. She also attended Harvard Business School (A Culture of Health in Business) and Norquest College (Inclusion at Work, Business Economics). She holds an MBA from Athabasca University and most recently, published her first book, According to Wolfgang, My Business, a business reference book based on her entrepreneurial father’s successful equestrian business.
Kris and her husband, Brian, have lived in 4 major Canadian cities and now call Edmonton home. When she is not dog walking, Kris is at the stable riding her horse, running on the trails near her home or working out at the gym.
For Mike, every relationship is built on Like, Respect and Trust.
Helping leaders and C-suite executives move their businesses forward with tailored one-one executive leadership coaching is both a passion and calling for Mike. Specializing in leadership growth, employee engagement and culture enhancement, Mike draws on leading-edge coaching tools to deliver the biggest impact to each organization and leader. His unwavering commitment to help increase team cohesion, customer satisfaction, employee performance and retention, and enhance bottom-lines is a driver for him each and every day.
Mike’s coaching approach always begins with establishing trusted relationships, which he sees as foundational for achieving the desired outcomes of his clients. He then helps leaders clarify their vision and create measurable goals, aligning this insight with the leader’s natural talents, tendencies and soft skills to create an action plan they can execute. Mike is focused on helping leaders take ownership, learn productive conflict, develop their EQ (Emotional Intelligence), and break out of their comfort zones to help take them and their businesses to the next level.
Mike writes about the importance of, and work required, to build lasting relationships in his latest book RELATIONSHIPS FOR KEEPS– How to Build Powerful Relationships in Business and in Life, an Amazon bestseller.
I’m excited to get you started on the path to improving your business! You’ll also receive a free copy of my Amazon bestselling eBook, Remarkable Service, when you request a Discovery Meeting.
I’ll be in touch within one business day to schedule your complimentary Discovery Meeting.
Manulife Place 10180-101 Street, Suite 3400
Edmonton, AB.
T5J 3S4