Lost my work ethic how to build it back?
Looking for advice on how to get that same level of motivation and energy I once had when I entered the industry. Before my current position I was an analyst on the buyside, but my hours were pretty shitty. Would usually get in at 7:30 and leave at 10:00, also always had to work on the weekend and quarter ends I could be working till 2am daily. I eventually burnt out and took the first offer I could get out of desperation. Where I am now it’s very chill, I only come into the office once a week (if that) start at 9 end at 5 but, honestly mentally I’m out the door at 4. The comp is ok for the hours but in retrospect considering how young I am, I feel as if I made the wrong choice by choosing a career and company which lacked any material upside & honestly hasn’t built a very useful skillset. Fast forward to today and I managed to secure a private credit position at a very respectable firm. My worry is I feel like I’ve honestly lost my edge, I can barely wake up at 9 now and have gotten really lazy to be frank. The firm I’m joining requires 4 days in person a week and I expect the hours to be tougher than what I’ve gotten used to. Has anyone made the transition back to a more intense role from something super relaxed, how long did it take to build your tolerance for the increased hours and intensity up? Curious to hear if entering the new role coming from something quite chill negatively impacted your performance too as this is one of my concerns.
No fap. Use that sexual frustration as energy.
I did 75 hard to get my work ethic. But also will admit It was when I was in college so def easier to do vs when you are FT in IB. But definitely worked for me
Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some insights and advice on how to rebuild your work ethic and transition back to a more intense role:
Adjusting to a New Pace:
Building Tolerance for Increased Hours:
Mental and Physical Health:
Mindset and Motivation:
Support and Relationships:
Performance Concerns:
By following these steps and giving yourself time to adjust, you can rebuild your work ethic and successfully transition back to a more demanding role.
Sources: https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/how-has-ib-changed-you?customgpt=1, Q&A: Recently Left Role as Sr. Associate in LMM PE Due to Burnout, Burned out at dream job - time for a change?, Q&A: HF Analyst @ $5bn+ Fund - Breaking In and Transition to Risk-Taking Role, On-Cycle, IB Offers, Hair Splitting, Depression, and "The Path"
Bump
During covid I worked fully remote and I had never had a worse work ethic. I'm talking maybe two hours a day of work if that so I did not try hard at this job whatsoever. Switched jobs to a more demanding one to get my drive back, and I would say after a year or so it's gotten better. It was hard at first for sure but that's also because you're learning new things at the job. I think WFH jobs (although I prefer at least a few days per week) can really effect the work ethic. Grass isn't always greener and I miss the chill job sometimes though. I do feel more accomplished and the days go by faster with more work to do. I also have a clear path to advancement at the new firm and didn't at the last.
What job did you have before and what did you move to?
I worked in PWM for a large bank and now work at a multi-family office doing similar PWM things, but with a more endowment model investment approach.
Do you work in an investing role for the family office? I have not seen much about them but thought they were generally more chill and seemed interesting in the scope of investment depending on the families/CIO across privates, publics, etc.
I'm technically on the portfolio management side of the firm, but that also entails working on the private wealth stuff (financial planning, estate planning (big emphasis here since our families have large balance sheets), tax planning etc.). We have a smaller investment committee and my role is really figuring out demand from my families and helping them asset allocate to managers and construct a diversified portfolio. We pull client assets into and SPV so we are one line item on a cap table. We do all private asset classes and direct investments. Our families are mainly CA based tech entrepreneurs so our access to top directs in tech and managers is great. There are a few families everyone on WSO would know well.
I do speak with our investment managers and perform due diligence but am not really close to the final approval and IC deliberation process. I would say I work about 50 hours a week so not that demanding of a role compared to others (not sure if its chill though I'm basically working all those hours and not sitting around), but you just never know what a family is going to need each day. Lately, we have a big business development push so there are a lot of prospect deck build outs that are much more time consuming than existing family relationships.
what are you a masochist? enjoy being lazy. waking up at 9 shouldn't be easy. if you can't be happy unless someone bosses you around, then join military. you'll be waking up early too, if that's your goal.
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