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Work |
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Meetings |
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Sleep |
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Family |
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To-do list system :
Pen and paper where he constantly jots down reminders , lest he forget . “ I just don ’ t think it ’ s fair to forget about something when somebody asks you to do something .”
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7 hours |
3 hours |
Downtime Exercise Errands Meals |
How he stays focused : |
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An emphasis on sleep , exercise and healthy eating . “ Focus , for me , is just eating right .”
1.5 hours
8 hours
0.5 hours
1 hour 1 hour
2 hours music ( which is “ all over the board ” and can range from ‘ 80s alternative to upbeat electronica like Rüfüs Du Sol ).
9AM - Before leaving his car in the parking lot he ’ ll quickly check email on his phone , because as soon as he enters the building …
9:03AM - … he spends an hour walking the halls and catching up with the team , both being friendly and tackling ad hoc issues . “ I just think that visibility in the office is important ,” as it builds an atmosphere of trust and communication .
10AM - Desk work . Bergman keeps an open door policy for random pop-ins ( such as an HR conversation about new recruiting efforts ) and is now focused on reviewing UCP ’ s long-term strategic goals . Pre-COVID , UCP had nearly 6,600 clients and 900 employees and was eyeing growth ; then the organization was forced to switch to remote and socially-distanced care like virtual classes , dropping off supplies at the door , or even singing to clients over Zoom . “ We came up with ways to remain in connection with them ,” says Bergman , but even so the client base shrunk by over 37 percent and the employees by 22 percent .
12PM - Lunch at his desk ( such as a Chipotle salad bowl ) while knocking out emails and work .
12:30PM - Board meeting for a company he founded , MRSI ( Mission , Resource , Solutions , Incorporated ), that develops software to modernize paper-based systems . The software is now used by UCP and licensed to other caregiver affiliates and is now a revenue stream for UCP .
2PM - Pre-COVID , he spent afternoons visiting UCP ’ s clients at their day programs , and he is now trying to get back to that . “ The clients are inspiring and motivate me to excel in my role as CEO to continue to make life better for them every day .”
4PM - Twice-a-week conference call with his four direct reports . “ The first thing we talk about is safety ,” says Bergman , who ’ s proud that “ We didn ’ t lose any clients to COVID-19 .”
4:30PM - Knocks out follow-up calls and emails , such as helping the CFO untangle a billing issue .
5:45PM - Walks around the building to say goodbye to those who are still here — sometimes it ’ s just him .
6:15PM - Cooks dinner with Freda , his wife of 21 years (“ We just love each other to death ”). If he ’ s lucky , his daughter and one of his four grandkids might swing by for a visit .
8PM - Relax on the couch with a glass of wine ( he ’ s partial to Lewis Cellars ) and unwinds watching network shows such as “ Law and Order ” or binge-watching a TV series like “ Jack Reacher .”
9:30PM - Heads to bed . “ I know a lot of people can work if they have two or three or four hours sleep ; I can work better if I have eight hours .”
Jeff Wilser is the author of seven books , most recently “ Becoming a Firefighter ,” from Simon & Schuster ’ s Masters at Work series . On Twitter @ jeffwilser .
Each issue , we dig into the working habits of a top executive in the Capital Region , providing insight into how they get things done .
June 2022 | comstocksmag . com 35