Struggling with overwork and looking for advice

Hi everyone, I hope you’re all well. I was looking for some advice if you had any to offer.

First of all, I need to come out and say that I am a 2nd year associate in a non-IB sector. I am currently struggling with being overworked and losing control over all the non-professional aspects of my life and I don’t know what to do or who to open up to.

I’ve moved into a new firm nearly a year ago for what was an important career step-up as they are the best/2nd best in my industry for the past 25 years. What I didn’t know at the time, is that my company is known for being a very friendly sweatshop. Over the course of the past year, I’ve watched my quality of life slip away: I forget to eat, sometimes don’t have time to make coffee, shower or even go to the bathroom. I sleep very little. I don’t see my friends or loved ones anymore. I have forgotten how to do normal admin or personal tasks I always knew how to do. I barely cook or clean and on that side my partner has taken such amazing care of me. All I do is work and it looks like it’s becoming the only thing I know how to do.

I want to change but I don’t know where to start. I feel like there’s something wrong with me, but also, I know I’m not the only person in my division struggling with this issue (no one opens up). I feel like a fraud and a failure. I’m scared that if I speak up, I’ll be told I’m inefficient but I also don’t think I can continue like this.

I am specifically posting here because I know that overwork is a real issue in IB having done a stint there very early in my career. Do you have any advice for me?

Thank you all for your time, I hope you’re all having a great day.

3 Comments
 
Most Helpful

I’ve been dealing with similar issues of overwork and it’s tough to alleviate, but you have to prioritize yourself. You have to express the issue to your manager and figure out ways to address them. In these careers, the job will always have long hours, but you shouldn’t prioritize work so much where it’s ruining your life. If you think it can get better, stick it out. Otherwise you need to have a constructive dialogue and address the cause of the issue and if still doesn’t get better, quit. Plenty of ways to make money without killing yourself (which is what working 20-hour days everyday truly does), especially in this job market.

 

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