What do you do if your investment banking schedule is overwhelming while working remotely?

1 Set clear expectations

One of the first things you should do is communicate with your managers, team members, and clients about your availability, priorities, and deliverables. Make sure you understand the scope, timeline, and quality standards of each project, and clarify any doubts or issues as soon as possible. Use a shared calendar, a project management tool, or a daily check-in meeting to keep everyone updated on your progress and challenges. Setting clear expectations can help you avoid misunderstandings, conflicts, and unnecessary stress.

2 Plan your day

Another important step is to plan your day ahead and stick to a regular routine. Start your day with a clear list of tasks, ranked by urgency and importance. Allocate enough time for each task, and factor in some buffer time for unexpected interruptions or delays. Try to schedule your most demanding or creative tasks for when you are most alert and focused, and your routine or administrative tasks for when you are less energetic. Also, plan some breaks throughout the day to recharge your mind and body, and avoid working beyond your normal hours.

3 Delegate and outsource

As an investment banker, you may have a tendency to take on more work than you can handle, or to micromanage every detail of your projects. However, this can lead to burnout, mistakes, and missed deadlines. Therefore, you should learn to delegate and outsource some of your tasks to others who can help you. For example, you can ask a junior analyst to do some research or data entry for you, or you can hire a virtual assistant to handle your emails or bookings. Delegating and outsourcing can free up some of your time and energy, and allow you to focus on the most critical aspects of your work.

5 Stay connected

Working remotely can make you feel isolated from your peers and mentors, who can provide you with feedback, support, and guidance. Therefore, you should make an effort to stay connected with them, and build a strong rapport and trust. For example, you can use video conferencing tools, such as Zoom or Skype, to have regular meetings, discussions, and brainstorming sessions with your team and clients. You can also use instant messaging tools, such as Slack or WhatsApp, to chat, share ideas, and ask questions with your colleagues. Moreover, you can join online communities, forums, or groups related to your industry, niche, or interests, where you can network, learn, and exchange insights with other professionals.

6 Take care of yourself

Finally, you should not neglect your physical, mental, and emotional well-being, as they can affect your performance, motivation, and satisfaction. Working remotely can blur the boundaries between your work and personal life, and expose you to more stress and pressure. Therefore, you should take care of yourself by following some healthy habits, such as eating well, sleeping enough, exercising regularly, meditating, relaxing, and having fun. You should also set some boundaries and limits for your work, such as having a dedicated workspace, a fixed schedule, and a clear sign-off time. Additionally, you should seek help from your family, friends, or professionals if you feel overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?