Burn out, phase one

I got nominated for a very cool, very visible Board that will help me as far as networking and furthering my efforts in being seen as a highly knowledgeable player in my field. I am very excited and hope they choose me. I got asked today to send a bio to the nominating committee. I didn't have one so I had to whip one up. A few things became very clear.

First, my God, am I busy. I had my assistant read it over to see if I had made any glaring mistakes and she pointed this out. Said something along the line of, "Crap. You do a lot." Yep. I do. I know how much work I have to put in to get where I want to be.

The problem is that I have no idea where I want to be. I feel like a college kid at last call. You don't have to go home but you can't stay here. In writing my bio, I realized I have been in my profession for almost 8 years. Almost 6 of which have been in the same place though I've served in three different jobs. Upward mobility is good. Problem is, I have hit the top of the food chain. I'm done. My career path just hit a road block. So, the key to my professional future lies in impressing the hell out of someone who in turn wants to give me a great job. My niche is so small that I have to convince someone that my genius can be applied to whatever it is THEY do. Good enough. Not easy.

In the meantime, my burnout levels are increasing fast. I'm estimating that I have approximately 18 months left in me. So exact, no? The upside is that I have 18 months to plan my next move. My sense of loyalty is so great that I have actually picked out my replacement and, after I pump him full of a stupid amount of liquor and he agrees to take my job, I can begin to train him to replace me. Always leave a place 10% cleaner than when you first got there.

I'm just tired and I need some rest. I'll keep plugging away for a while, refusing to go at it half assed but still continuing to wear a path from my cabin to the pond.

Comments

[JennyRyan]

I'm so sorry you're so close to burnout. I hope you can find some support and ways to rest and recharge.

[islaygirl]

God, i swear we're living parallel lives. today i was trying to decide if i had to be out of there in 6 months or if i had a year left. and also if i was willing to extend my commute for a better job. (i'm thinking that every extra mile is an extra 1k in salary.)I've just got NOWHERE to go at this place.

[robert bourne]

but are you happy?...just a thought

[kellypea]

Burnout is sooooo scary. I avoided it a couple of times with a little shift in direction and then dove in head first to a big change. That lasted about five years. Then I crashed and burned. I should've done what you're doing. Now, at least I have time to plan what I'd like to do differently with my life. That's nice. Of course, not crashing would have been great, too. Good luck!

[Lovebabz]

Take a breath, now take another breath. You have got to find some time to CHILL OUT! Look at this way, only you can take good care of you. You deserve some YOU time! All that shit will be right there waiting for you like a bad relationship...I think I am projecting my own discontent. No matter, gets some rest..NOW!