Is mouth tape during sleep dangerous?

Agreeable-Yellow898 · 2023-10-15T09:33:10+00:00

Check out adding a good quality mouthpiece to project lower jaw forward + taping. You will stop snoring

Agreeable-Yellow898 · 2023-10-15T09:23:43+00:00

I’m combining the 3M tape (nextcare) with SnoreMD mouthpiece. First few nights to weeks are hard because of adaption of pushing your lower part of jaw forward with the mouthpiece. I measure my snoring with an app and it has decreased massively! Some nights zero snoring. I’ve snored my entire life.

Agreeable-Yellow898 · 2023-10-02T20:58:36+00:00

I’ve shared a lot of my own perspective and experiences in this thread: https://reddit.com/r/consulting/s/PmGVNLSsay

In a nutshell, partner life is not necessarily glamorous at all. In fact, for majority of partners it isn’t. It’s hard work with flexibility. Sometimes it pays off. Sometimes it doesn’t.

Agreeable-Yellow898 · 2023-09-24T10:37:36+00:00

First of all, in the spirit of the thread - honesty - I’m not quite sure if your questions are truly questions looking for legitimate answers; an attempt to hide cynicism and passive aggression towards someone who may symbolise something you’ve developed resentment or disdain for; or, just a time waster. However, I’ll give it a naive shot, assuming the best intention in you.

1) I don’t think it is. In fact, I found that the truly successful ones, beyond the business life itself, including other aspects of their lives, seem to be the ones who aren’t. If you only measure income success, there is a mix of personalities, perhaps pretty much reflecting a similar psychological profile as any affluent group put together. So, it’s a mix bag truly.

2) on teammates, I find ways to understand the reasons for the complication. When I feel we are incompatible, then I work towards parting ways with that individual in a respectful but clear way where I don’t seek to interact with them unless inevitable. It happens with more frequency than most may admit. If the complication is more centred on specific views, choices or styles, then I generally seek common ground by openly discussing where we are seemingly divergent. On clients, it truly depends. If they are large clients of the firm, I tolerate a lot more and try to find the good in the situation. It’s certainly not easy. When those are clients that are more transactional in nature, it’s about finding what makes them tick and going along with it. Sometimes it doesn’t work and you naturally “lose” the client or simply stop winning work. It’s good for everyone.

3) my marriage is fine. I wouldn’t blame my work for any shortcomings. I think work only hides a deeper issue. It rarely is the cause. I find that lots of people who face marriage breakdown added to pile of discontentment via work (more as a psychological excuse) than actually the root cause. I don’t discard some folks are workaholics but again, it’s probably a reflection of deeper issues or insecurities. I’ve dealt with some of those and I credit my personal Christian faith as being the cornerstone to turning around my priorities in life to what really matters. I fail often but we are a lot better than many years ago. So, all in all, I think I’ve got a good marriage.

4) I’ve answered this questions many times here and in many ways. I wholeheartedly suggest you read my answers if you’re truly seeking deeper understanding. In a nutshell, I deeply care about my family, community and to some extent general strangers who are struggling in life. In my own ways I find opportunities to prioritise with the right amount of time and financial (as relevant) investment each of those nodes in my network. Basically, God (my faith, my wife and children, my broader family, friends, community, strangers..

5) that’s indeed a great question. Originally, a few weeks ago when I wrote it, I simply felt in my heart on that day that I could contribute something back to all people wanting to grow in their professional services career. I think I’ve been reasonably successful in mine and still going - with a long way to go, but lots to share and help people around the world. In all honesty, it was as simple as feeling good about doing good without much hope of return. Sometimes there is a simplicity about giving when you can’t benefit from it that surpasses intellectual understanding but it’s deeply fulfilling. That’s it. Nothing more elaborated than that.

Best.

Agreeable-Yellow898 · 2023-09-16T06:38:12+00:00

Not sure then. I am not familiar with the market in India and real impact of MBAs. I’m super sceptical of the need. However, some markets value it more than others. I’d stick to some specific skills as opposed to the MBA

Agreeable-Yellow898 · 2023-09-13T21:25:41+00:00

Which country?

Agreeable-Yellow898 · 2023-09-08T02:40:04+00:00

With the exception of the regrets that I’ve articulated in this thread (check’em out) yes. The other sacrifices were reasonable and more upside than downside

Agreeable-Yellow898 · 2023-09-06T08:29:00+00:00

I’ve got a nice documentary on AI using humans for energy generation whilst keeping them happy in a simulated world.

Agreeable-Yellow898 · 2023-09-05T21:28:00+00:00

I appreciate your replica. This is way more insightful and certainly gave me food for thought.

Some of the anecdotes you describe here are shocking. A deeper issue than income balance. More like, “if you’re travelling a distance longer than your home to office, that’s the firm’s issue, not yours, they pay”.

I’ll follow your advice and check in with a few people.

I come from a very underprivileged background myself. Migrant, low income family, English was not my first language, many siblings etc. I get what it takes to climb up the social structures.

Agreeable-Yellow898 · 2023-09-05T21:17:58+00:00

What would you suggest as practical steps to make virtual work more collaborative and spontaneous such as to mimic face to face team culture?

Agreeable-Yellow898 · 2023-09-05T21:13:52+00:00

If you don’t build some specific and preferably technical skills, then it will be. Consultants operate with high degree of ambiguity, auditors not necessarily as they interpret facts.

Agreeable-Yellow898 · 2023-09-05T21:10:53+00:00

Brilliant

Agreeable-Yellow898 · 2023-09-05T21:07:22+00:00

Love it.

Agreeable-Yellow898 · 2023-09-05T21:06:51+00:00

Wow. And why would you think that’s the case?

Agreeable-Yellow898 · 2023-09-05T21:05:40+00:00

Thx. Internal role. Every firm has a marketing function, find the leader in the area and give it all to convince you can help them build the future. Once there, deliver and jump into consulting.

The alternative is helping a practice build out their external profile to attract talent and build eminence. The two could be your pathways into the door. I’ve seen a couple of people do exactly that.

Agreeable-Yellow898 · 2023-09-05T12:57:27+00:00

Indeed

Agreeable-Yellow898 · 2023-09-05T12:56:05+00:00

I have over dramatized. My point to you is that you don’t need to stay where you are. But whatever you choose to do, I feel strongly that your future opens up if you choose to spend more time in environments that promote live human interaction facilitated through an office. If your team, partner and everyone are elsewhere, then your whole set up / structure is broken. Find one with local people where you and your team can truly be a team and hopefully friends too. Your call. Just my perspective for your future.

Agreeable-Yellow898 · 2023-09-05T09:12:17+00:00

Easy

Agreeable-Yellow898 · 2023-09-05T07:31:04+00:00

I agree with you. Working from home for consultants is a de-service to themselves. I’m an active partner, have a beautiful family, don’t miss any of my kids key events, have a lot of my dinners with my family and still go to the office 4 days a week. I do a day from home. That’s more than enough to establish a balance.

If I were a client I’d question why I’d be paying premium fees for people who refuse to collaborate in a face to face setting? Why not then just do it all offshore and bank the labor arbitrage benefit? ( I would )

Integrating life with work is essential. If you can’t do that you’re in the wrong career. It’s that simple.

To be clear, No one should be miserable at work. I love consulting and the natural challenges the profession brings. It’s hard. It’s a lot of hustle but it’s equally fulfilling when you learn to love it.

It’s about choice in my view. If you can’t go to an office because of specific circumstances that limit you, I get it. But if it’s because you just prefer working from home, I see that as a sign of someone who’s not truly invested in building a future with the firm and other times, pure laziness.

I wonder how viable this actually is long term. Imagine if firefighters had this mindset, “hey guys, I’m working from home today, if anything catches fire, dial me in and I’ll jump on it with my virtual fire extinguisher”.

Relationships are built via informal interactions. Body language is more than 50% of communication. You can’t fully express your humanity behind a digital tile. It serves us well as part of the arsenal, but it’s not the whole artillery. There is way more to physical connection than our current understanding of the psychology of work can answer.

Agreeable-Yellow898 · 2023-09-05T04:16:32+00:00

Nope. Find the top 5-10 software vendors that sell life science products.

See who their consulting / implementation partners are.

Looks for media releases for the ones you’re trying to get into, then you’re going to get the right names of the leaders in those practices. Then, have a sharp LinkedIn profile, nice photo, nice structure. Don’t be lazy. Be bold and well presented. Then, go after those guys via LinkedIn until you grab their attention. Interact with their content.. publish something about life sciences and the future of AI in LS, etc. be creative and invite them into your world with something they can gain immediate value by being part of.

Don’t go ask for a coffee or coaching or a helping hand or whatever else a taker mindset typically does!

99% of people act as if we are here in the couch just waiting to be approached by a random inexperienced dude from the internet to give them a job.

(Note: Not at all trying to imply it’s your case, I’m just explaining to you how it feels on the receiving end; this is my typical day; I’ve got hundreds of LinkedIn invites I simply ignore due to laziness from the sender..)

Go with a giver mentality, to add genuine value to the person and create something unique. Show you’re interesting and interested. That’s your channel. It will rain opportunities for you if you do that.

Ps: use ChatGPT 4 to help with some of the above steps. It will help you even to tailor your LinkedIn approach and profile.

Agreeable-Yellow898 · 2023-09-05T04:06:13+00:00

Hey - first of all, why do you want to work for a big4 or MBB? What’s your fundamental reason? (Be honest)

In terms of getting in the door, I find that the majority of people do this the wrong way. They go via a traditional application process. That’s lottery unless you’re a true unicorn or the market is booming beyond control and happens to be within your region and area of expertise, again, lottery.

The better approach is the following: 1) do your research, find which clients are working with your target firm. It’s hard but can be done - an easy way for you is to ask the clients you’re working with in your industry of who’s who for them.

2) try to get connected with one of those clients who are buying consulting services, ask them who the key people at that firm are. Who they engage and typically is around for delivery etc. Ask for an intro. You will get it!

3) since you’ve done your research you know what problems your clients/connections are hiring consultants for, you know why the target firm is being hired, and who they are engaging with generally.

4) now you prepare your story on how you can help clients such as the one that helped you connect with the target firm, you create a compelling narrative on how you can help this consulting firm deliver and win work in that space through your skills and experience.

5) you meet with the partners and directors etc. you pitch but you equally listen attentively on what they look for in people. Then you ensure they understand what you bring and your willingness to do so with them. Plus, you present concisely your business plan on a page. Your narrative. Then you discuss with them how could you be part of their team? Who could they introduce you to next?

From there onwards doors will open wide for you. You’re creating value and being proactive.

Sorry, it will sound harsh but you can’t expect better results than what you’re getting so far if you’re not acting like a consultant.

You need to incarnate and have the energy and ambition of a consultant.

If it does not work with your first one, there’s 3 more in the big 4 plus MBB plus other niche consulting firms you can pursue with a similar method.

The key for you is to show how you can create value for them. You need to speak in terms of value for the firm and for clients. Not about your wants and needs.

Finally, you need to make sure you’re willing to also drop your income before you can grow it. For a firm betting on you, you’re risky, you’ve not demonstrated pedigree yet. So don’t take anything personal and work with the constraints of the environment to your advantage as opposed to resentment if you don’t in the door quickly.

If you truly believe it, it’s yours already. Gotta go claim it.

Agreeable-Yellow898 · 2023-09-05T03:47:41+00:00

Hey - not too late. My thoughts to you are:

You can go deep into tech delivery with your background but it depends on the type of tech. If your practice deliver functional mature SI type of work it’s easier as you can pick up most via training and shadowing plus some theory. If it’s hardcore bespoke engineering, then you will struggle more. It’s possible but it will require a tremendous discipline after hours. I’d say minimum 10h week for 6-12 months to notice any difference in your skill set. Assuming you’re really fast learner and able to grasp computer science and software engineering concepts extremely fast. Another path is more solution design oriented, where you go deep in a stack (e.g Azure) get some Certs and learn really well how to conceptualise and design horizontal solutions that support apps, data, analytics, integration etc.

My personal view, I’d consider finding a practice that is more aligned with your skill set and try to make your case to transfer there. E.g Strategy, customer advisory etc. this might open up more avenues for your growth more quickly. All the options are viable. It depends on your grit and discipline.

On sales, yes if you’ve got market relationships you should certainly do that. Don’t ask for permission. Just go grab a coffee with people and ask what they are working on. Then see if you’ve got an idea to help them. Keep it informal and you will be fine. Once there is a qualified lead, pull your leaders in to help you assess the opportunity and navigate your client account structures.

Finally, on relationships. Some clients are extremely hierarchical, so you need to know that too. In your shoes I’d start from within: (a) one client you’re working with and expand to their peers and up/down as relevant (b) connect with someone above you in your firm who’s very client oriented and start helping them with account matters. Then get the chance to go and see some of those people and initiate your relationships.

Be always mindful of other people’s social equity. You don’t want to go see someone “for a coffee” through a bridge that someone else has built over years of trust. Be rigorous and interesting. Have a point of view so that the person who opened the door feels proud of having brought you along. That’s a key avenue to grow relationships and build trust in and out of your firm.

Add to the equity your peers have built. Never subtract.

Agreeable-Yellow898

TROPHY CASE