Got Resolutions? (That You Can Actually Keep?)

Well, it’s that time of year again. The time of year where New Year’s Eve indiscretions are now just obscure memories for reflection, as hopeful New Year’s resolutions are being scribbled down on napkins and Post-It notes.

But too often those promising resolutions suffer a fate similar to that age-old agreement between male and female friends to try and be “friends with benefits.” Sure, it sounds like a great idea, and heck, it even works well for the first couple of months.

But sooner or later, reality sets in: you can’t keep coming into the dealership every weekend to test drive the Maserati. Eventually, that sales representative is going to give you a long look in the eyes and politely ask you: “Are you going to @#$%** buy this car or what?”

So how do you turn your New Year’s resolutions into a 2011 metallic colored Maserati Gran Turismo with red coral interior?

Or better yet, how can you make New Year’s resolutions that you can actually keep – even when you’re working 80+ hours per week in finance?

Why You Won’t Close a Single Deal in Your First Year of Banking – and What to Do About It

Everyone wants deals.

And if you just started working in investment banking – or you’re going to soon – you’ve already done extensive research on how many deals your group does and the probability that you will get into Blackstone based on your expected deal experience.

You need deal experience for buy-side interviews, for your resume, and you’ll certainly need it when you go out for bottle service and your MD makes you pick up the bill.

The only problem: you’re not gonna get any (deal experience, not bottles).

Most likely, you won’t even close a single deal in your first year.

Here’s why all your deals will fail, and what you can do about it to land offers anyway:

So, What Should You Do at Investment Banking Summer Training Besides Getting Wasted Each Night?

You’ve just been through a warzone to get your offer: 53 interviews, 3 weekend trips to New York, and so much time spent staring at Excel that you’ve developed a monitor tan.

But things worked out, you accepted your offer, and you’re about to start work in 2 weeks.

You just need to make it through the training program first.

But that should be the easiest part of the entire process, right? Right?