What do you do if your corporate finance career is taking a toll on your work-life balance?

Self-assessment is a critical first step. Here are some ways to take an honest look at your situation : Time Tracking: Like you said, meticulously tracking your time for a week can be very revealing. Identify where the time sinks are and how much personal time work is encroaching on. Impact on Personal Life: Beyond hours, consider the emotional toll. Does it affect your ability to be present and engaged with loved ones during personal time? Identify the Culprits: Are there specific tasks or projects causing the imbalance? Pinpointing the root causes helps you address them strategically. Once you have a clear picture, you can use that information to make informed changes and create a better work-life balance.

Setting boundaries is key to taking back control of your time. Identify Flexible Areas: Prioritize ruthlessly: Analyze your tasks and identify what's truly essential. Can certain tasks be delegated or streamlined? Can some reports be automated? Communicate Effectively: Be clear and professional: Explain to colleagues and superiors the specific boundaries you're setting. Frame it as a way to improve your efficiency and overall well-being, which ultimately benefits your work. Be Prepared for Pushback: Anticipate Concerns: Consider potential objections and prepare your responses. For example, if someone expresses worry about urgent tasks outside your hours, suggest an escalation protocol for truly critical situations.

Everything feels important.. a lot of things are urgent… this cycle never seems to end.. there’s only one way to get ahead - - Choose one priority every week - Think of how you can do it in a better way. Think of ways to leverage this task - automate, delegate, organise, standardise, outsource… - Treat this leveraging as your no. 1 priority for that week Make life light… one priority at a time!

Prioritization in corporate finance is very similar to portfolio management. Evaluate Tasks: Impact vs. Urgency: Consider both the importance (impact) of a task to your role and its urgency (time sensitivity). High-impact, urgent tasks should be tackled first, similar to high-return, low-risk investments in a portfolio. Time Blocking: Schedule specific times for focused work on high-priority tasks. This promotes deep work and minimizes distractions. Review and Adjust: Regularly assess your progress and workload. Be prepared to adapt your priorities as new tasks or deadlines emerge.

Exploring flexible work arrangements is a great way to improve your work-life balance in corporate finance. Assess Your Role: Identify Flexibility Potential: Consider the tasks you perform and how much in-person collaboration is truly necessary. If a significant portion of your work can be done independently, you have a stronger case for flexibility. Build a Strong Proposal: Focus on Benefits: Frame your request around the advantages for both you and the company. Highlight how flexibility can improve your productivity, well-being, and ultimately, your work quality. Negotiate and Communicate: Be Prepared: Anticipate potential concerns and have solutions ready.

Investing in professional development can seem counterintuitive, but it can be a powerful tool to improve your work-life balance in corporate finance. Increased Efficiency: Improved Skills = Less Time Spent: By developing relevant skills like financial modeling, valuation techniques, or financial analysis, you can become more efficient in your current role. Tasks that were once complex and time-consuming become smoother, freeing up valuable time. Career Advancement: Increased Value: Upskilling demonstrates your commitment to professional growth and makes you a more valuable asset to your employer. This can lead to promotions or opportunities within the company that offer better work-life balance.