Help!

Anonymous

September 23,2021 at 1:58AM UTC

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Help! I am a store execution project manager and my position is killing me. I have a salary position for which I am on call 24/7 and I am working 100 hour weeks. Burnout doesn’t even begin to describe it. I am so beat down that I don’t even feel qualified to apply for positions in my pay range - let alone more because I have no more left to give. At the same time I am applying for positions constantly- some slightly under my current salaries with rejections left and right. Everyday I am worried I am going to snap and quit but I am the breadwinner of my household and I don’t know what to do next. I am having a hard time finding new positions to apply for - especially when I am trying to get out of corporate retail. I don’t know what my next steps should be. I have considered going back to school (I have my B.S. in Marketing currently), but positions I may be interested in/need additional education appear to pay less.

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AnonymousSeptember 23,2021 at 2:46AM UTC
When was your last break? I think you need some time off at a minimum. Then, once you’ve had a bit of relaxation, analyze your strengths and consider talking with a career coach if you still feel indecisive.
AnonymousSeptember 23,2021 at 9:32AM UTC
100 hrs a week??? No one should have to endure this.
Mikal Ann ByrdSeptember 28,2021 at 3:24PM UTC
Wow! This is not sustainable for anyone. The fact that you are coping so well up to this point demonstrates your strength. Take some time off, even if it is just a four-day weekend when you don't answer your work calls at all. This will give you some time to rest and relax and hopefully allow your company to see how heavily they rely upon you. With the level of stress you must feel it would be difficult to present your best self to an interviewer. A few days away from the stress may clarify your career goals, too. Good luck!
Jessica Virtuoso, MBA, SHRM-CPSeptember 30,2021 at 8:14PM UTC
Troublesome doesn't even begin to describe the concern I feel for you, anonymous...
First, let me acknowledge you for bringing this here to the forum; I hear someone who is responsible, holding themselves to account, and be open about hitting a wall. It sounds like there is an ask for help buried within your share around next steps.
I'm a coach, and I like to call people's gateway to me "The Sandwich" - because they usually find their way to me when they're wedged into a place they dislike and they're having trouble finding their way out of.
First things first - the burnout's gotta stop; it's intensely challenging to take steps forward when you have the burnout burden strapped to your back.
I want to invite you to schedule some time at the link in my bio to come talk to me, no obligations, and let's see how we can partner to get some things shifted before getting to the "snap and quit" phase.