| Topic Name: |
Tips for new McK BA |
| Message Name: |
A Question For HBS2003 |
| Date Posted: |
02/10/2006 |
| In Reply To: |
OK, so in no particular order...
When I was at HBS, I would easily spend 90 minutes lifting, do a 45 minute run, and then on good days, swim too. Couple of key takeaways from that, HBS has great facilities, and the work load isn't too bad if you don't care to be a Baker Scholar.
Now that I'm married, and work for McK, my wife would be rather irked if I spent that kind of time at a real gym (with travel to and from a gym, I'd be gone for a couple of hours at a shot). Therefore, I have equipped my home with a decent home gym set up. I have a good selection of dumbells, a high quality squat rack that I can use for benching, a high quality adjustable-back bench, selection of bars, plates, etc.... For cardio, I bought a Concept2 ergometer (rowing machine). For $850, it is the best piece of cardio equip money can buy. I used to row, and I like the motion of the erg. I get bored with any other kind of indoor cardio equip. When it is nice out, I run outside.
When I'm home (Thurs - Sun), I get good home workouts. Best thing is, my wife doesn't miss me, and can even work out with me.
On the road, it is more difficult. It all depends on the nature of the study, workload, locations, etc...
In general, I try to stay in hotels that have good gyms. Try to hit them in the AM. If I'm in a good location for jogging, I'll go. I got lost jogging in Shanghai once. Not a good experience, so I save the jogging for nice rural locations, or good running cities (like Boston).
Team and client dinners (and drinking) put a crimp on working out in the evening. Though, when I have a lot of work to do, I'll take a break from work, workout, then get room service and get back to work. I need an afternoon/early evening break to clear my head, and regain my productivity.
Now that I'm an EM, my lifestyle has improved (since I have much more influence over the day to day schedule). Also, I strongly encourage my Associates to make time to work out, do Yoga, whatever... This job can take a toll on your health if you let it. Some McK people take pride by saying they are "insecure overachievers," as though that's something to be proud of. My philosophy is that we should be self confident overachievers, and have the self confidence in their abilities and work product to know when to stop working, take a break, and take care of themselves. In the long run, I am 100% sure that the quality of people's work is better, and they have more stamina for the times they really need it, if they are in shape, well rested, and healthy. |
| Message: |
HBS 2003,
Thanks for the post.
I'm hoping you will expand upon something you allude to in your final paragraph: the effects of EM-Associate (or BA) interaction on lifestyle. While an Associate, did you find your EMs responsive to your lifestyle requests? How did you communicate your needs? Have you ever been "punished" for demanding personal time?
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