I used to take at least 60 vacation days per year at McKinsey
The consulting profession is extremely intense and stressful. Burnout is a very common thing. Pacing yourself and finding pockets of downtime to recover is essential to make this sustainable.
I used to take at least 60 vacation days per year at McKinsey.
Before you start hating me, hear me out.
I joined McKinsey at 34.
I wasn't as young and sharp as I used to be.
I couldn't compete with people 10 years younger than me, at least not in terms of the number of hours I could work. My work stamina was pretty weak.
So, I had to be crafty.
I needed extra time to recover and stay productive.
First, I fully used up my 25 vacation days. Then, I strategically took unpaid days, ensuring I had at least two-week breaks between projects.
I have to admit it was quite difficult to hit the 60-day target, but I tried my best. I even created an annual calendar in Excel to meticulously track each day. I was a bit nerdy like that.
Surprisingly, this approach didn’t hurt my performance.
In fact, my performance dramatically improved.
Here's the thing.
MBB consulting is not a physical job.
You are not assessed on how many hours you work but on the impact you create.
So, if you are an experienced hire MBB consultant, give yourself enough time to recover and perform at your best.
Nobody will take care of you. It’s your personal responsibility.
If you are struggling as an MBB consultant, this is where I can help you.
The consulting journey is complex and treacherous.
Walking it alone is extremely difficult. It’s helpful to have the support of someone experienced (me, wink wink) who has gone through this journey and helped many others.
That is why I developed a coaching program for MBB consultants to help them achieve high performance and become successful.
If you are an MBB consultant and sick of struggling with performance and development, I would like to speak with you.
Book a Free 1-1 Consultation to discuss whether I can help you through my coaching program. There is no commitment, and you can ask any burning questions in a risk-free environment.
Read this post to learn more about the Hero’s Journey coaching program.