The most talented finance professionals have a common trait, which can become an Achilles heel as they grow older

The most talented finance professionals have a common trait, which can become an Achilles heel as they grow older.

The ability to obsessively focus on a goal – and doggedly pursue it while others become discouraged – is incredibly powerful and rare. But the hyperfocus limits one's success as they take on larger roles in their organizations.

My clients don't hire me to help them grind harder,
They hire me to help them zoom out, see the big picture and get Balance in their life.

Those who stay in "grind mode" a) hit a ceiling at work, b) burn out, c) lose connection to their / have no family – or some combination of all of these. It ain't pretty.

35-40yr old+ investment professionals with families struggle to find balance on their own. These are highly capable people, so what's the root of this block?

As analysts, you're trained to work 80-100 hour weeks. To say "yes" to most things, and grind with a singular obsession on work -- ignoring your personal life and health (I acknowledge these cultures may be changing today, but this is really true of today's Partners who were IB analysts 2000-2010).

As adults, with a family, spouse, personal need for exercise and relation, you have 35-40 quality hours a week!!!

As your time halves, but responsibility explodes, it requires a professional to have ruthless discipline about zooming out, prioritizing what will move the needle, saying "no" a lot, and delegating the rest. This is a big leap from being a pleaser/achiever with all the time in the world available for work.

What's your mindset? Do you get all of your "work" done and then turn to your family and health?

Or do you budget your hours carefully, and see it as an intentional exception when you do work outside of the allocated hours?

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