By: James Sheep

Just about one month into my first project, I’ve learned something about consulting that I need to address.  I figured it would be a good topic to write about seeing as I did not think about it prior to starting.

I have always been a very active person, sometimes to my detriment.  I need to be moving or talking or stimulating my mind over a breadth of topics in order to stay alert.  Call it creature of habit or just plain A.D.H.D., but it is what it is.  Like most students in college, I was able to choose my own class schedule and fill in gaps with an extra curricular, a work out or a good old-fashion nap.  My previous job was in sales and therefore followed a very liberal work schedule.  As long as I was calling enough leads, setting up appointments and selling business, I could come and go as I pleased.  Lunch breaks were long and allowed for a midday work out to break up the monotony. 

Consulting is different.  Very different.  First of all, there is no set work day, other than you will definitely be working over 8 hours a day.  You will be bringing work home and you need to learn how to adjust.  They call it work/life balance.  Well, if you did ANY research about the consulting industry, you quickly ascertained that work/life balance is either tough or non-existent within many companies.    I have seen varying levels of work/life balance and have come to realize either first-hand, or through stories, that the balance is an individual choice. 

I am not posting to talk about how to balance your life.  I am posting to discuss what I think is an important part of the balance.  Staying active = Staying alert.  Because consulting commonly requires long hours and work-intensive projects, many a consultants are sitting for long periods of time.  Rarely are they up out of their chairs unless for a meeting or bathroom break.  I will preface my opinion by saying this it is based off of my specific experience, but I feel could be useful to the normal person.

If I sit for long periods of time, not only do I become tired, I loose my train of thought in a duststorm of monotony.  Variety stimulates me – variety of work, variety of scenery, variety of speed. 

Suggestions to break of the day:

• Stand up and do a lite stretch once an hour (get blood flowing through body and to your brain)
• Keep your body fueled (Have several small meals/snacks throughout the day, rather than three big meals)
• Stay hydrated (esp during the summer – hydrated body/brain performs better – this means water not coffee!)
• Try taking the stairs once a day instead of elevator (within reason for those of you on high floors)
• Eat outside if you can (I see an epidemic of laptop lunches – people serious live at their desk!!)
• Engage your team in conversation (good for team clarity, but also socialization stimulates the mind)

No need to follow this to the T.  I just know these are little things that help me.  If I didn’t do them, I wouldn’t be able to get through the day.  Just know, consulting is a much different lifestyle.

James