I’m a new analyst at a BB, and after four consecutive 100+ hour weeks, I’m hitting a wall. I’ve read all the advice about time management, but let’s be real—what actually works when you’re in the trenches? Seasoned veterans, what are your non-negotiables for preserving sanity? Bonus points for tactical tips that don’t involve ‘just sleeping less’.
the secret? there is none. you either grind till you’re numb or quit. ‘wellness tips’ from directors are just pr stunts – they want you alive enough to churn slides. pro tip: rotate energy drinks to avoid building tolerance. congrats, you’ve sold your 20s to excel hell.
pls help, same here!! i tried 20-min power naps but MDs still ping at 3am. any hacks that actually work??
Two non-negotiables: 1) Schedule three 10-minute ‘sanctuary breaks’ daily for deep breathing/stretching—protect these like client meetings. 2) Cluster low-brain tasks (formatting, data entry) for post-midnight hours when cognitive decline is inevitable. Your body isn’t a machine; fuel it strategically, not just with caffeine.
You’ve got this!! The grind builds character and future opportunities! Stay positive – every hour is a step closer to VP!
During my first year, I survived on 15-minute desk yoga sessions between models. One time fell asleep mid-stretch and faceplanted into a pitch book – MD thought I was ‘showing dedication’. Moral: Find micro-recovery moments, even if ridiculous. Also, baby wipes. So many baby wipes.
A 2023 IB wellness study found analysts averaging ≥6h sleep nightly had 23% lower attrition rates. Actionable tactic: Block 12:30-1:15am daily for sleep, communicated as ‘critical model validation time’. Data shows brief protected periods reduce next-day errors by 17%.