Small hacks for enjoying a balanced life in Big 4
a) Always have your churlish attitude ON. The more comfortable you get with people, the more are the chances that you may get overworked or engulfed in office politics. Remain professional. Have congenial relation only with your peers, never your bosses. b) Always promise 10% less than you can generate (believe me you are gonna need it). c) Manage your year in phases. Max productivity in 3 months before appraisal cucyle. Rest you can take a bit easy. d) Never let someone put you down. If its not your faul then make the other party regret pushing you.
Almost 3 years. Was a rough ride in initial months. I slowly adapted with time by observing things.
Point (a) is spot on. I made the mistake of being extra friendly to make my colleagues comfortable given my department already has a bad name in general. Too many took advantage of it - common one being making their lack of time management my urgency. Boundaries created and complaints flowed in.
Point A is key. We are your colleagues. Not your friends. When things go sour, we’ll walk away leaving you stranded. So know the difference, and maintain an arms length.