Feeling Guilty When I Don't Have Work, What Do I Do?

Background: Off-cycle IB intern with no prior IB experience, it hasn't been literally said but talked around that I'll be a FT analyst in 2 or 3 months. 

Issue: I'll have crazy days and weekends where things blow up, but I'll also have occasional 12-36 hour stretches where I don't have anything to work on. Obviously if I have all my stuff done by Friday night or Saturday I'll not work with no issues, but what about when I have nothing to do on a Wednesday afternoon? I've heard so much about not trying to ask for more work, and I know I could be put on a project that brings me back to heavy hours any moment.

I don't want to ask others for more work and then be put on a time intensive pitch/project right afterwards and screw myself, but I feel really bad not working in the middle of the day because I just don't anything to do. I don't even feel that good when I don't have stuff to do because I feel guilty not doing anything but don't want to accidently put way too much on my plate.


What am I missing? Is this normal? 

 
Most Helpful

This is not normal and you should get rid of the mindset. It’s not great to be so used to being a complete slave to capitalism that you are unable to appreciate free time for yourself

 

Use that time to live a life. You will be in IB for the next two years at least, it’s a marathon. You don’t want to exhaust yourself too soon. Sleep, read a book, have sex, pet a dog - use the free time

Use the time to gain new skill if above doesn’t interest you. Read up about a sector if you have one that interests you - that will score you a couple of points when you become analyst

 

When you’re busy in IB it gives you a feeling of importance (not in an egotistical way necessarily, perhaps could use the word “usefulness” instead “importance”) as you are running point on analysis and all members of the deal team are directly or indirectly revolving around you and your time frame of turning work around. When projects ebb and flow I’ve found the feeling of having time off can easily be equated with feeling unimportant / not useful. It’s totally artificial and if you recognize it for what it is, it can really help you enjoy your time off. Hope this helps!

 

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