I'm in a well paying job that is very stressful. How do I get out?

Question

I've been an Executive Assistant with the company for 11 years. Last year I was given a very big promotion which I didn't really want but accepted it for the experience. It has been challenging but is very stressful, 24/7 (yep .. I work a lot of evenings and weekends).
How do I start to get out? What should I do first ? Should I talk to my boss? Look for a new position in another company? Cash in RRSPs?
My financial situation will no doubt change so I will have lots of re-arranging to do and I am afraid of that. Yet I don't like to be working solely for money. I don't mind hard work but this work environment is not at all fulfilling. It's making me ill.
I'm thinking of cashing in some RRSP's to give me a cushion while I am looking around. I am close to retirement age and don't have alot of money and thought I could work an extra few years but the stress is too much and it doesn't look like it's going to ease up.

Answer 1

Dont' do anything withour careful planning. GO over your current finances and spending habits. Determine what you can live with giving up, or some places where you can cut back.

Next talk to your boss if you can. Talk about your current work load, and how you are feeling. Maybe he/she doesn't even know that you are overwhelmed. Perhaps you can simply cut back your workload without having to change everything. If not, talk to him/her to see if you can go back to your former position. Obviously you were good at it if you got promoted.

If you prefer to work in a different company... try not to quit your current job b4 finding a new one.

Number one in life is your health and happiness. You could die tomorrow with millions of dollars but be miserable!! Live life to be happy. And if you are "burning you candle" too fast, you are bound to be sick, less productive at work, and generally unhappy.

Answer 2

You will never see a gravestone that reads "Here lies _ _ _ and he was a great worker". It's true, stress leads to many different diseases that just aren't worth it.
I have a suggestion for you. I have a home business in the health and wellness industry that I built while working. This is something you could do while still employed, and would give you residual income which would take you right through retirement. My Father started doing this at 71 years of age and is now earning a nice income. The reason this business is doing so well is because of the product...and we have only one. I tell people my story, what this has done for my health, and of course they can see what it has done...and people order right away.
Incomes of $10k/mo are definately not unusual in this business. I started in April, and by the end of November, I will be at the $64k/yr point, so it builds quickly. I dedicate myself to helping others achieve whatever their dreams are.
Something to consider.

Answer 3

Mexico4me.... you have given a classic mlm response. You have told us what your gross income will be, somewhere down the road. Tell us what your NET income is now. After you have paid for all of your tapes, and seminars and buying products for all of your downline so you can reach your "level".

A wise man once said... "Tell the world what you are going to do... but first show them." I think that wise man also said, quit telling people what you gross, it is your net that counts. Here is a classis example. I have a good friend that owns an apartment building in Cincinnati. He is grossing about 15 thousand dollars a month. Impressive really. The problem is.... he has 20 thousand dollars a month in expenses. Get my point.....?

Answer 4

Your age, the fact that you under stress and it is making you ill are important considerations. Once your health goes, then nothing else is worth it. Myself I would tell them. That might go wrong for you but it is better than either dying or quitting. They may want to accomodate you because of your experience. They might even realize that you are doing two jobs and hire someone as well!

I'm working under my capacity for that reason, it was a very very tough change and it did hurt me financially but it was still worth it.

Answer 5

There is no amount of money, that is worth your health, and stress is a killer, there are alot of people in a Grave Yard that has had heart attacks, developed mental illness, and they never get their lives back, call a credit councelor, put your bills in their hands and take back your life, it is just not worth it.......

Answer 6

look for something less stressful and that will make you feel comfortable and you will enjoy, or you could start teching at colleges/ business schools, or become a consultant for small business start ups....then when you have enough time scheduled or lined up give your notice and relax a little.........

Answer 7

Quit or die. I did so I wouldnt.