Body hacks and energy boostings for productivity
Hi guys,
As I am preparing for a potential career in investment banking, I decide to mimic the work dynamics at an IB to train my brain and body. I am looking for some advice regarding time management, body hacks, and energy boosting methods.
Each day, I wake up at 5:30 am and read everything I find on the internet about that day. Then I have breakfast around 6:30am while watching market videos. After breakfast, I start working on various tasks. I give myself a one-hour lunch break and hop back to work until 8pm at which time I have dinner. Then, I read books until bedtime at 11pm. This schedule aggregates about 15 hours of work/reading per day. As I still have 6.5 hours of sleep, I think my plan is a good balance between working a lot and getting enough rest. Obviously, working at an IB will be even more demanding. However, I want to train myself step by step without burning out.
I have followed this schedule for two weeks until two days ago. The problem is that I have become tired very easily. My brain starts to procrastinate more often and demands more napping hours during the day. I try drinking coffee but somehow it makes me even sleepier. Thus, I have deviated significantly from my schedule. This worries me that maybe I am not fit physically/mentally for IB's working rhythm.
Is there a better way to transform myself from a "potato bag" to a working machine? I love being productive and on top of my game not only for IB purposes but also for my personal development as a whole. However, my body's weakness is preventing me from that. I would really appreciate your opinions/expertise on this matter :)
eat at your desk and take a quick power naps during your breaks.
This is hysterical
Reminds me of the Leveraged Sellout Article.
"I realize the possibility of long hours exists in such a position, and I am ready to work as hard as necessary. I have been practicing staring at a computer monitor for extended hours, I can currently sit motionless in front of a screen for 28 hours, and I am improving daily."
I have read Monkey Business, Liar’s Poker, and When Genius Failed each 3 times and consider them my collective bible.
Although reading is great, you're probably allotting too much time to it. There's really not enough good content on the daily news blogs to read for 3+ hours a day, unless you're planning on reading Harry Potter books or something like that. Get some damn exercise in there too.
I spent 1.5 hours in the morning for news and 2 hours reading business books before sleep. I should probably do more exercises you're right
Walk on the treadmill every morning and read the news there, 30 mins a day should suffice.
You need to make time for some enjoyment in your life during the week. It sounds like your life is consumed by work a reading, which is great to learn, but if you don't do anything fun for yourself you'll burn out fast. Have fun! Go play some PlayStation or something to turn your brain off and recharge.
Eat right and exercise, or just do cocaine.
I will take the first half of your advise
And I will take the second, ignored bit and give it its due respect.
And I have taken all of your advice albeit in a different order: cocaine, exercise, and then eat right.
that's the true pre-workout booster
How to be productive: tricks & tecniques (Originally Posted: 01/16/2018)
MBB Analyst here - we all know productivity is really important to survive in high-performance industries like management consulting and IB, because (1) all people care about is your output, not how many hours you put in and (2) being able to get things done quickly means more time for you to check your work and actually think through your model/ppt presentation.
While there’s not much you can do to increase your mental horsepower, you can definitely look smarter to seniors by allocating more time into checking/doing the thinking.
As I haven’t found any threads on this topic, I think it would be useful to share the techniques/tips we follow to make sure we’re productive throughout the day.
Here’s my list, in no particular order:
1) Learn to be extremely fast at purely executional tasks (i.e. ppt edits, or simple but long and boring tasks on Excel). Even if something is not urgent, set a tough deadline and challenge yourself towards it. By doing so, you’ll force yourself into being as fast as you can and you'll learn to get things done more quickly
2) Take some time to actually think and organize yourself before diving straight into your task – don’t be the guy who copy-pastes the same exact analysis across 20 worksheets in 3 hours when an indirect function would have done the trick in 20 minutes
3) Fully leverage on your firm’s resources – if you have a graphics team, use them; if you have a research team, use them. Book their time in advance and organize your work so as to fit your schedule – for example, I’d first draft my document, carry out the analysis on Excel while my graphics team is producing the ppt, then I’d send over my Excel, ask them to plug in the numbers. I work on other stuff while they’re number-plugging, and double check everything once I receive it back. None of your seniors cares if you worked till 5am or bribed the graphics team and managed to cut that down to 1am (provided output quality is the same)
4) Prioritize things that do not depend on you first – need to get data from the client or another colleague? Send that email out / call them ASAP
5) Take breaks – try the Pomodoro technique (or some customized version of it). In addition, always have the “output” (or part of it) in mind. Remember that time you worked 4 hours on something and suddenly thought “WTF have I done in the last hours?” – that’s the quintessential example of unproductivity
6) Cut distractions by half – assuming we’re all mature/professional enough to not be distracted by our GFs texting us, the biggest distraction is work emails. I open them and reply immediately: you’re expected to reply within 30-60mins anyways – so why being distracted twice (once for reading the email, another one for reopening it 30 mins later, and actually replying) when you can do it all in once?
7) Keep your Associate/Manager updated on your progress – once you have a first draft of the analysis/document, share it with them specifying it’s just a preliminary draft so you guys are on the same page. You don’t want to complete the whole analysis, produce the document and make it nice to find out 1 hr before the deadline that it’s actually not what he asked for. Seniors don’t have time to explain shit to juniors, juniors are sleep-deprived and overworked: misunderstandings happen.
8) Sleep well / limit drinking
9) Eat well, drink lots of water, “cheat” with coffee/soft drinks/red bull when necessary
10) Exercise
What are your productivity tricks, fellow monkeys? Feel free to add to the list.
Cardio.
Hi Abrix123, check out these threads:
If we're lucky, maybe these professional users will respond: JFreeze @dylan.m" Thanos-Terzidis
I hope those threads give you a bit more insight.
I don't work in IB but I have worked my share of 12+ hour days and 80 hour weeks. Reading the news and watching videos for 15 hours a day is a fucking far cry from working for 15 hours. Believe me. Whatever you're doing is a waste of time and weird.
I didn't say I read news and watch videos all day. I only do those activities early morning and before sleep. During the day, I do actual investment analysis work and study for credentials on the side.
Still a different ball game but that's better than reading the news all day. I'd say you have a heads up against the kids that are training for the long hours by binge drinking until 4 a.m. daily though. You seem to have an obsessive personality. Me too. It's not fun. Try and enjoy yourself some while you can.
This.
god bless whoever works with you
1) You're lacking a gym routine so you need to get that resolved 2) With this ridiculous schedule where is your time allotment for chasing sloots and going out? In college I'd drink/go out like 3 times/week lol.
Stop being so high strung, you don't need to "prep" for an IB schedule. You'll learn to put up with it in your internships and in your first year. Enjoy your life and experience college like how it's meant to be experienced.
Not to say you should be a TOTAL degenerate and fail all your classes, but let loose a little. Nobody wants to work with a nerd that read and studied all day and can't go out for a few drinks on the weekend or doesn't know how to talk to girls.
Yes I'm adding gym to my schedule now. This schedule is designed to build my resilience in the short term. I don't plan on living like this my whole life. I know there will be occasions when I should have fun and I will when the chance arises. Having fun is easy and I'm happy to do that, but right now I'm trying to push my productivity limit. I will keep your words in mind.
You can train your "resilience" all you want, but if you're an awkward kid that studies for 15 hours per day you won't get hired.
Plain and simple.
There are tons of smart candidates that also have strong social acumen and they will beat the guy who studied 15 hours/day every single time. Regardless if their GPA is a 3.5 vs a 3.8 etc.
All myself and everyone else here are saying is that along with training your "productivity limit" you need to allow ample time for social development as well. In your current routine mix you seem to be severely lacking in your social exposure and it will come back to bite you in the ass. This isn't to rip on you, it's just a glaring problem with the way you perceive one should prepare for a career in finance.
Good luck.
I'm going to start a new IB boot camp but instead of financial modeling etc... We're going to work on brushing teeth, the banker way. Live action drills: 4 am emergency email wake ups, people yelling at you to test how you respond, blasting heavy metal while you try to complete a DCF. Quizzes on appropriate watches, suits, and loafers.
We will discuss the proper way investment bankers order things, coffee, booze, bring lunch vs. buy lunch, an auto lease, & a luxury apartment.
& of course banker hell week.
Sign me up!!!
sounds like the white version of 'get hard' with will ferrill and kevin hart
haha sounds like fun. but can u do also a women version (for the watches,suits and shoes)?
Hey let's be dicks to a young guy and pretend we didn't have the same sorts of fears and never asked questions the old grumps laughed at.
OP I'm not a big believer in"training" to suffer. In the infantry I didn't become better at being out in the field for a week with wet feet by practicing being cold and tired. It just sucked and I got through it. Suck it up when the time comes and you'll be fine.
The worst thing you could do for this guy is reinforce his current behavior. A little roughing up is the price you pay for good advice. Plus it gives honest feedback on how his training is perceived.
Thanks for your concern Scott but it's ok for me to hear others' opinions. The people on this forum have helped me shape my thinking tremendously for the better.
At 5:30 in the morning, what are your sources for finding out everything about the day?
I mostly look for what's coming later during the day like economic data, earnings release, global events, etc. I use CNBC, feedly, world economic calendar, financial times, and a bunch of personal blogs.
Sounds like you're intentionally making your life suck before getting into a demanding career (which is "potentially" when?).
Bad idea, if you're good/smart enough to get in, there are many good resources to adjust to the lifestyle and you've already found one of the best (this website). Live your life and enjoy yourself before you make that plunge, you'll thank yourself later. Sounds like you have a shit ton of free time, a luxury that you won't have again for quite a while.
Interviews for 2018 IB positions are coming in one week. I guess that's why I'm very stressed about all these IB standards. As a recent graduate getting a contract job in 2 months, I do have some free time now to bring myself to the next level (or just enjoy my life like you suggested).
Focus on the interviews but in your spare time enjoy yourself man, you'll probably perform better in interviews if you're not stressed to the max anyway.
If you've truly been prepping 15 hrs a day for a while you're probably good. Don't overdo it, the social/fit side of the equation is important too
You are probably one of the weirdest people I have ever found on this website. Go learn to be normal or I'm not sure how you expect anyone to be able to deal with you. This honestly seemed like a troll post until I saw the consistency of your follow up comments.
No it's not a troll. This is how I am and discussing it here has opened my eyes to how weird I may be... All is good. I will adjust my plan accordingly. Thanks.
At my desk on this sleep Friday cackling at this.
Best preparation for success in IB is to focus on fundamental corporate finance (accounting, valuation, etc) and broaden your perspectives on life so that you can flourish in conversations with senior members. No matter how smart you are - if you cannot create conversations, you will have no upward mobility within IB / PE.
Seems from your comments just graduated and are looking for opportunities within IB. More than anything else, you should be networking like a mad person. No amount of reading will push your resume through the door.
Thank you. I have spent a lot of time to brush up on technical skills (found out I passed CFA level 2 two days ago). I'm gonna work on other aspects of life now
Since you mention having interviews fairly soon, I'd like to drop some wisdom on you: don't ever tell an interviewer you "practiced" staying up late if they ask you whether you're ready for the job. They will think you're weird, in the same way I think you're weird by reading this.
As many people are saying I'm weird, I will definitely not disclose that lol. I almost planned to say that, though, because I have seen some people branding themselves as being able to stare at the monitor for 20+ hours straight. I actually thought that was something cool to say to IB recruiters...
dude...
Saying you're fine with long hours is one thing, saying you've practiced for a position you don't have and sacrificed your social life for it is just freaking asinine dude. It's just a job...
Revelation: OP is Asian.
You got it. This is me
SB for that video.
Beta-Alanine. It's the chemical in pre-workout that gives you the tingling feeling. You can buy it pure on bulk supplements, assess your tolerance where it doesn't make you want to claw your face off but still gives you a little jolt. Infinitely better than coffee or energy drinks. Sounds like your going to start working out and cut the IB mimicking routine, but as someone in a similar position trying to break into IB, I try to fill my day with stuff I enjoy and that makes me a more interesting person where I'm busy 12-16 hours a day, but not where it's a self-hazing type thing. Ie. work 8 hours a day, work out, golf, and spend time with friends while also prepping for interviews, staying up to date with the news, etc.
I would go for supplements like this as the last resort, not because I think it's bad but because I don't know enough about it yet. I will start working out first and see how things go.
Hey Patrick (Tunancier),
Quick question, based on your post, do you spin a dradle or a menorah?
Thanks for the help.
Best,
iBankedUp
lol if you ever get into any interviews pls let them know ur routine to show how dedicated you are.
Parents never let you out of the bubble when you were younger.... Sorry to hear that
I know man. I envy with you guys who weren't overprotected. But things are ok now. I'm free and trying to shape my life the way I want
Four Sigmatic mushroom coffee. Tim Ferris uses it and so should you. Use promo code Tim to save 10% off your first order.
It's the first time I hear about mushroom coffee. Can you quickly summarize your expertise on this product? Have you tried it yet?
Sure thing, friend. For exactly these occasions I have made a video explaining everything. [Mushroom coffee](
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Jesus. I'm equally as workaholic but your commitment is too ridiculous. First and foremost, you don't have to follow the IBD schedule. Just follow your body's clock and focus on getting the job. I would only worry on "fitting" into IBD schedule only after getting the job. After all, maybe you want to change your mind on your career someday.
Secondly, the waking time varies between groups. If you are in S&T, you are waking up at the right time (4AM to 5AM). But if you are in M&A, the wake up time is around 7 to 8 AM. So know if you want to follow markets or more into advisory.
Lastly, if you are worried that you would not be able to fit in the schedule, you will only once after you start your job. The whole stress and adrenaline in your body from the firm's work and MD/VP's screams will allow you to power through +15 hours work days. By the way, you know that bankers actually don't really work +80h or +100hours the whole time? I don't know about S&T, but for M&A, there is a lot of time waiting for the clients to send their data or waiting for new drafts to appear, so you are not working your 100% for the whole 80+ hours. Just my 2 cents. For now, just enjoy your time before actually fully entering IBD.
Tip on coffee : Coffee reacts differently to people and I think we are the same; when I drink coffee, my body reacts by falling asleep as it detests caffeine. If you want to stay awake, drink a warm tea to warm your body up or eat a small snack that doesn't contain any sugar. Cheers.
Thank you very much man. I am more interested in M&A. I always thought I had to pump myself up for 80-100 straight. It's good to know there is some down time. I will take your snack idea into account. Actually, since receiving people's opinion on this thread, I have modified my schedule and currently living more happily and energetic.
Learn to value your real life and stop imposing self-inflicted work days on yourself. Forty years of this bullshit is long-enough, stop adding to it.
Focus on getting into investment Banking first, then seriously consider if this is what you want to dedicate 2-3+ years of your life to.
I would be more focused on getting your body to its peak physical condition in preparation for what is unequivocally an unhealthy, taxing, and potentially physically & mentally damaging experience. The lifestyle of 80-100 hours of work involving limited physically fitness, no exposure to sunlight, and high mental attrition is an extreme way of living that 90% of the population can't do without burning out. If not done with a sane mind, healthy diet, and a shit-ton of discipline, IB is not a health7 experience for your body or brain.
For now:
Eat healthy
Work out
Meditate, Yoga, anything that helps you get in a good physical & mental state
Network, network, network
Focus And learn only what you need to get that job
The rest is just pissing in the wind. You will be forced to adapt or drop out if or when you get the job. Focus on that first then just minimize the inevitable damage.
Lower your expectations & for sure Chill you half-a-fuckin-meatball.
Thank you for your input. As a newbie in this field, I was very nervous to deal with uncertainties. That was the reason behind my crazy plan. But now, I have made changes accordingly with people's advice. I'm doing much better now.
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