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Reset your mental capacity

tips
New answer on Jul 27, 2021
7 Answers
876 Views
Anonymous A asked on Jul 27, 2021

Any tips to reset your mental capacity to do cases after a long day at work?

(edited)

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Florian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jul 27, 2021
Highest-rated McKinsey coach (ratings, offers, sessions) | 500+ offers | Author of The 1% & Consulting Career Secrets

Hey there,

3 things that help me (scientifically proven :D)

  • An intense but short workout
  • A brief walk around the block
  • 10-20 minute meditation. I can recommend Sam Harris' Waking Up app

Cheers,

Florian

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Francesco
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jul 27, 2021
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success (➡ interviewoffers.com) | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi there,

Good question!

I would recommend the following:

  1. If you are tired in the evening, avoid the evening in the first place. If possible, go to sleep and wake up early to do case prep then
  2. If you must practice in the evening:
    • Have a small break. You probably need to do something to relax before starting the prep if you are tired. Everyone is different but some common options are reading, watching something interesting/entertaining, walking/exercising, listening to music/audiobooks
    • Create a routine where you do a little every day. Instead of doing a lot all at once, divide the preparation into small parts and keep a routine. Creating a routine decreases the fatigue to have to start something over. It doesn’t apply to live cases as you have to do dedicate at least 45 min to them, but can be applied to drills
    • Use the Pomodoro Technique. With this technique, you do 25 min of work followed by 5 min break. It helps to avoid overworking on something and maximize productivity

Hope this helps,

Francesco

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Erica
Expert
replied on Jul 27, 2021
Ex-McKinsey / 100% offer rate / LBS / Principle driven / Real case/ If you get the interview, you should get the offer!

Hi there. 

One thing that has always works for me is a 5-10 min medidation. There are many meditation audio on Youtube that you can find - some are guided, the others are just nice relaxing music, both work! 

Alternatively, you can workout for 30 min, a quick run, swimming, boxing, etc. I find short cardio sessions a very good way to give yourself that pick-up you need.

Hope this help!

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Agrim
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jul 27, 2021
BCG Dubai Project Leader | Learn to think like a Consultant | Free personalised prep plan | 6+ years in Consulting

Hi there!

This is so much of a personal preference question. You got to have your own personal routine on this. Some of the things that generally help in such a situation are:

  • Doing something completely mundane for a bit. Helps you decant your mind
  • Playing a crappy video game or something
  • Hitting the gym for a good run
  • Call up someone and chat for a bit
  • Or just literally do nothing - lie down on the sofa and stare at the ceiling

The options are many - you got to find what works best for you!

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Ian
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jul 27, 2021
#1 BCG coach | MBB | Tier 2 | Digital, Tech, Platinion | 100% personal success rate (8/8) | 95% candidate success rate

Do what you love.

Take a long walk, play with your kids, binge-watch a show, play music, go swimming.

Whatever it is that resets you as a person is what you should do!

Then, if you're still tired, don't case. You're not going to get value out of trying to learn cases when tired. If you're too tired to think after your work, then you need to rest/sleep.

Do cases in the mornings before work OR reserve a day on the weekends.

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Adi
Expert
Content Creator
replied on Jul 27, 2021
Accenture, Deloitte | Precision Case Prep | Experienced Interviewer & Career Coach | 15 years professional experience

Great tips from coaches and I agree with all of them.

From my personal experience if you want to look at this for the long term, Yoga and Meditation is the way. Not the commercial Yoga thats taught all around, but the real spiritual one. Worth trying.

Feel free to message me directly and am happy to share what I have been practicing for past few years.

All the best.

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Mia
Proficient
replied on Jul 27, 2021
Tiers 2 consulting moving to other consulting companies (MBB and tiers 2)

Hi There,

Something which works well for me is a 20-30 minutes nap to fully reset my mental capacity, stress reduction and fulfill my need for sleep.

Best,

Mia

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