Job Burnout? what did you do to change it?

[xtradoe]

I am fairly new here and have only posted a few times, one post was inregards to being transfered to another area which I am considering, I have been thinking alot lately about the whole situation, the move,where I am at with my career thing and how happy I really am here with the whole situation and the company in general.

It appears to me that I am suffering from job burnout, some of it is because the last couple yrs. they have required us to do about seven different reports every quarter that range from a points system report on what we sold to what they call a individual learning plan, now I am not saying these are not good, but I just plain dread alot of reports, we are sales reps, not reporting junkies! we also have weekly call reports due every week and expense reports (I totally understand the expense report and have no problem with that one)

But I am starting to truly believe because of all the reporting and general changing of our job description I should make a job change,I feel burnt out and Sunday's I start dreading the beginning of another week, I do not feel as though this is the way I want to spend another 20 yrs! I also have noticed I am not enjoying the things I really enjoyed as much, it seems somtimes I am numb to things and tend to worry about work, reports, reports and work!

I have been with this co. for 18 yrs. have a 401K, Co.car, and insurance, 4 weeks vacation (yes I like that!) I am basically debt free other then rent and monthly utility bills, the part that does worry me is there seems to be a downturn in the economy and I am not sure now is the time to be out looking around, I have lots of sales experience and very good experience in taking care of customers and building a good relationship with them,I am originally from the midwest and have a strong work ethic, however I do not have a degree and it seems every co. requires one today, even though some say with all that experience not to be worried about a degree?

I guess I was thinking and maybe hoping the transfer, if I take it would change things, and reinvigorate me .... but will it?

My hobbies are cars, trucks, anything with a motor or anything that goes with the car and motorcycle culture, etc.

Ok People's how about some good sound advice, anybody been in a simialr situation? what did you do?

Thank you in advance!

 

[Arc]

Buy yourself Dale Carnegie's "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living" CD's and listen to them while you are driving. They did me a world of good. And keep tuning into this forum - that has also done me a world of good.

 

[kumquat]

I am fairly new here and have only posted a few times, one post was inregards to being transfered to another area which I am considering,

Geographic area or area within mega-corp? If it's just location, the same old BS applies. If it's new duties, a change is as good as a rest. Might be worth a look.

Or not. In my case, I left a job I enjoyed to start a new area in mega-corp. Fun for a short while but I soon learned to hate it. Since I was FI, my choice was ER. Is that an option?

 

[DangerMouse]

Have no real advice but am wondering how close you are to FIRE as that would probably influence my decision whether or not to look for greener pastures (if they even exist).

 

[xtradoe]

Anyone else? please chime in ....

Buy yourself Dale Carnegie's "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living" CD's and listen to them while you are driving. They did me a world of good. And keep tuning into this forum - that has also done me a world of good.

Thanks Arc, I'll check the tapes out!

Geographic area or area within mega-corp? If it's just location, the same old BS applies. If it's new duties, a change is as good as a rest. Might be worth a look.

Or not. In my case, I left a job I enjoyed to start a new area in mega-corp. Fun for a short while but I soon learned to hate it. Since I was FI, my choice was ER. Is that an option?

Kumquat, it is a geographic change only.
And unfortunately ER is not an option, I am in my early 40's, not near enough cash or assets.

 

[growing_older]

When places I worked (not a sales rep, however) started asking for lots of extra reports, they turned out to be either 1. evaluating and about to downsize folks that didn't show well on reports or wouldn't play ball or 2. accidentally chnaging the nature of the reporters jobs without intending to.

If it's #1 you want to make sure you send the stuff in - even if it means making a reminder system for yourself so they don't have to ask twice. Also whatever they are measuring you want to make sure you look okay and don't trail the pack by their numbers.

If it's #2 you likely have much more room in the system. If there were parts of this job that you loved before all the changes, concentrate on those parts. If you do a good job with those parts you may be able to face the reports as a necexxary drudge needed to allow you to do your fun job. If you think about the reports as how can you provide whatever they ask for with minimal effort you may be able to shift the balance of your job back to what you enjoyed.

If you are at or near FI, you may also have a different perspective that lets you view this stuff with detachment and not let it get you down.

 

[NotSoonEnough]

It appears to me that I am suffering from job burnout
<snip>
I do not feel as though this is the way I want to spend another 20 yrs!

I know your pain, I too am burnt out, but I have an ER plan that is much shorter than your 20 year trigger. If I was miserable and facing another 20 years, I would start looking for something else. Seriously, if I was facing another 20 years I might even consider going back to school to change careers.

 

[xtradoe]

Keep em coming!

When places I worked (not a sales rep, however) started asking for lots of extra reports, they turned out to be either 1. evaluating and about to downsize folks that didn't show well on reports or wouldn't play ball or 2. accidentally chnaging the nature of the reporters jobs without intending to.

If it's #1 you want to make sure you send the stuff in - even if it means making a reminder system for yourself so they don't have to ask twice. Also whatever they are measuring you want to make sure you look okay and don't trail the pack by their numbers.

If it's #2 you likely have much more room in the system. If there were parts of this job that you loved before all the changes, concentrate on those parts. If you do a good job with those parts you may be able to face the reports as a necexxary drudge needed to allow you to do your fun job. If you think about the reports as how can you provide whatever they ask for with minimal effort you may be able to shift the balance of your job back to what you enjoyed.

If you are at or near FI, you may also have a different perspective that lets you view this stuff with detachment and not let it get you down.

It appears to us reps as it is #1, oh I am sending in my reports when they are due quarterly and the call report and expense report weekly, but it is just getting to be a real grind, not sure if I can even revive the option you give in option #2, good thought but realistically dont see it happening, #1 has made it kind of miserable, the guys in there late 50's early 60's are just trying to hang on until 62 or so but I think the guys in my range have a different issue, I also failed to mention the online tests they want us to take on "our time".

I know your pain, I too am burnt out, but I have an ER plan that is much shorter than your 20 year trigger. If I was miserable and facing another 20 years, I would start looking for something else. Seriously, if I was facing another 20 years I might even consider going back to school to change careers.

Yep got about 20 to go ....... unless the lotto hits!

 

[bbbamI]

Job burnout...I quit.

Alas, poor DH still has to work. When he got major burnout, he took advantage of the co's tuition package and earned his degree. I don't think it really mattered much in his job, but recent changes make his degree very valuable.

He took on line classes and really enjoyed it.

 

[xtradoe]

Job burnout...I quit. .

if I could I would be gone .... like yesterday!

 

[rocketdog]

Xtradoe--When I was 40, I got really burned out from a job I'd had for only 10 years. It was a good job with good benefits: 403(b), insurance, 4 weeks vacation. I had loved the job at first, but couldn't stand it any more and knew I could not face another 20 years of it.
So I quit and took a year off to rejuvenate, and think about what else I might want to do. I lived very frugally on money I had saved outside of my retirement accounts, and so I didn't use up any of my tax-deferred investments.
Is it possible you have enough money to take a "sabbatical"--a year off to think about the next 20 years of your life, recharge your batteries, maybe even take some classes towards a degree? Or maybe work at something part-time for a while?
This wouldn't work if you're in a field where jobs are so scarce you'd never find another job again--but dreading the next 20 years of your life is like wishing your life away...

 

[xtradoe]

Good one...

Xtradoe--When I was 40, I got really burned out from a job I'd had for only 10 years. It was a good job with good benefits: 403(b), insurance, 4 weeks vacation. I had loved the job at first, but couldn't stand it any more and knew I could not face another 20 years of it.
So I quit and took a year off to rejuvenate, and think about what else I might want to do. I lived very frugally on money I had saved outside of my retirement accounts, and so I didn't use up any of my tax-deferred investments.
Is it possible you have enough money to take a "sabbatical"--a year off to think about the next 20 years of your life, recharge your batteries, maybe even take some classes towards a degree? Or maybe work at something part-time for a while?
This wouldn't work if you're in a field where jobs are so scarce you'd never find another job again--but dreading the next 20 years of your life is like wishing your life away...

rocketdog, how funny, yes I have thought of this exactly! not quite sure where I would go or what sabatical looks like! but yes I have thought of this.

couple things though,
1) I DO NOT have alot of extra cash outside my 401k, some inheiritance but didnt really want to use that.

2) the good news is I am basically debt free,have no car payments etc.only monthly utility bills but they would be gone, ironically my lease is up very soon and I was not going to resign because of the possible job transfer.

3) I think I could find part time work, but here is where it gets interesting, I probably couldnt do this here in So Cal (the sabatical thing) to expensive here but have friends that have already offered up places for a short while in other states, also have a brother in AZ and another friend in Scottsdale. also friend's in Colo and family in the midwest. so yes I have options there.

as far as finding another job in this industry, not really sure I want too!? industry has really changed.

But I have no idea how to even act in a sabatical situation ... I guess because I have never done it, I have had a job basically since I was 16 but it does sound kind of exciting and adventureous and yes it could possibly recharge my batteries!?

 

[xtradoe]

Xtradoe--but dreading the next 20 years of your life is like wishing your life away...

And might I add THIS is a Very big reality Check!

 

[simple girl]

I changed settings which made a huge difference to me in job satisfaction. However, I work in healthcare so not sure how much this would apply for you if you were to change to a different type of sales job.

 

[Payin-the-Toll]

I too had burn-out big-time. I quit but called it 'retirement' because I had no intention of getting another job, and I didn't!

 

[xtradoe]

I changed settings which made a huge difference to me in job satisfaction. However, I work in healthcare so not sure how much this would apply for you if you were to change to a different type of sales job.

I like being in Sales, Sales Rep, Manufacturers rep,etc. but I just dont like where my current Sales job has gone, I dislike all the reporting and where it seems this co. is going.

I too had burn-out big-time. I quit but called it 'retirement' because I had no intention of getting another job, and I didn't!

but were you closer to retirement age?

 

[spncity]

Here's what I get from your post:

Bad stuff: job burnout....(due to) seven different reports ..... dread alot of reports....because of all the reporting ..... feel burnt out!

Good stuff: have a 401K, Co.car, and insurance, 4 weeks vacation (yes I like that!)

Other stuff: not sure now is the time to be out looking around... hoping the transfer, if I take it would change things, and reinvigorate me .... but will it?

Have you considered hiring a "virtual assistant" to do most of the work on these reports? Read the Timothy Ferriss book (Four Hour Work Week) for tips on how to outsource some of this drudge work for not much money. Particularly when the reports are similar from quarter to quarter and you get someone trained, you may be able to scan documents, email and/or dictate these things and get something back that only needs a few tweaks from you. After all, you can show the virtual assistant your previous reports and they can see the end result you are after.

You can even dictate or upload as you go through the month, so that the VA is the one compiling the statistics.

I can relate to the dread of reports. I used to stress out about and put off expense reports just because I hate the detail work. Finally delegated most of it to my secretary who didn't mind it at all.

The company car and four weeks of vacation are pretty sweet. You know the politics of the current company, where the land mines are, etc.

I'm not saying you still won't want to change jobs sometime, but when everything is pretty good (pay and perks) except for this report thing, it might be worth a try to outsource it.

You don't have to use a "virtual" assistant. You could find someone local who does that sort of thing if you feel you need face-to-face time. Might be worth a few bucks to get rid of what I call "Sunday Stress Syndrome" - that feeling of dreading Mondays.

FWIW

spncity

 

[spncity]

Upon re-reading -

I see your potential transfer is with the same company (and therefore I assume you keep your four weeks of vacation and company car). So if that feels invigorating to you, go for it AND try the outsourcing of the reporting.

Try to get some quiet time and figure out what the little voice in your head is telling you.

spncity

 

[Payin-the-Toll]

To Xtradoe: I was 51. I'm 58 now, we're not living off the fat of the land, but we're making it and loving it. Priorities have changed.

 

[xtradoe]

Here's what I get from your post:



Have you considered hiring a "virtual assistant" to do most of the work on these reports? Read the Timothy Ferriss book (Four Hour Work Week) for tips on how to outsource some of this drudge work for not much money. Particularly when the reports are similar from quarter to quarter and you get someone trained, you may be able to scan documents, email and/or dictate these things and get something back that only needs a few tweaks from you. After all, you can show the virtual assistant your previous reports and they can see the end result you are after.

You can even dictate or upload as you go through the month, so that the VA is the one compiling the statistics.

I can relate to the dread of reports. I used to stress out about and put off expense reports just because I hate the detail work. Finally delegated most of it to my secretary who didn't mind it at all.

The company car and four weeks of vacation are pretty sweet. You know the politics of the current company, where the land mines are, etc.

I'm not saying you still won't want to change jobs sometime, but when everything is pretty good (pay and perks) except for this report thing, it might be worth a try to outsource it.

You don't have to use a "virtual" assistant. You could find someone local who does that sort of thing if you feel you need face-to-face time. Might be worth a few bucks to get rid of what I call "Sunday Stress Syndrome" - that feeling of dreading Mondays.

FWIW

spncity

wow! another great tip! where do you find the VA thing, is there a website etc? this is all news to me, didnt know this really even existed!

 

[citrine]

xtradoe:

If it is just the reports thing....definitely find a VA....you can look on craigslist or post your own request under admin/office.
See if you can also have a mini-sabbatical.....a month or two to re-charge and think about what you want to do.

 

[xtradoe]

bump...

To Xtradoe: I was 51. I'm 58 now, we're not living off the fat of the land, but we're making it and loving it. Priorities have changed.

Payin-the-Toll, Glad to hear that you are making it work and enjoying it, good for you! trust me I certainly think about doing what you did, but I hear a little voice on my shoulder saying....no co. insurance,no Co. 401K match, no co. car, will you find another Decent job? etc,etc!

xtradoe:
If it is just the reports thing....definitely find a VA....you can look on craigslist or post your own request under admin/office.
See if you can also have a mini-sabbatical.....a month or two to re-charge and think about what you want to do.

citrine, mini sabbactical (basically a short leave of absense) would be out, a couple others have tried that with no luck. I am sure I could take some vacation time, but I did just take two weeks vacation the end of December, that might throw up a red flag if I took another few weeks off?
thanx.

 

[Walt34]

I took a page from What Color is Your Parachute? and got my employer to create the job I wanted from scratch. It took about three years but the change was sweet. For the first time in a long time I looked forward to going to work, and that lasted for about eight years.

Then the money for keeping it going got hard to get, I have little patience with government bureaucracy, and the traffic where we lived made going anywhere an ordeal. So we pulled the plug.

As others have suggested, for you the answer might be to delegate the part that you dislike the most. This is also one of the options discussed in What Color.... Even if you had to pay for it yourself, keeping the job you otherwise seem to like might make it worthwhile if the numbers work.

 

[growing_older]

If the trigger for the burnout is the reports, then I like the VA idea (and wished I'd thought of it). If the issue is the company changes in attitude that make them want all these reports and treat longtime sales reps as interchangeable parts, then there may be less chance to improve your situation. In any case, VA may just buy some time to see if the new changes in workplace stick or get replaced by something more palatable.

 

[spncity]

Just put the words virtual assistant into Google for lots of sources.

I once posted a proposal for work at International Virtual Assistants Association and got several responses. I then narrowed it down to the final candidate and had her do some samples of work.

For info on hiring a virtual assistant for less money (out of say, India) read the outsourcing chapter in the Timothy Ferriss book titled "The 4-Hour Work Week".

I know an author/freelancer in Maryland who has had a virtual assistant in Florida for years.

Not only will you probably like having the help on the reports, just making this move may help you feel more empowered and in control. It will also rescue some brainwaves needed to reflect on your situation.

FWIW

spncity