Well, I haven't posted much lately... Work has consumed my entire life the past few weeks. We are at the peak of our busy season, two weeks ago our inventory manager (IM) called out for 2 days because she threw out her back. Not the best timing, but you do what you have to... but our IM not being there translated to, "Natalie will take care of all her responsibilities..." Let me tell you, it is not an easy job especially when you are trying to figure our what has been done and what hasn't been done and unfortunately, several major things had not been done.
Well, she was back for about 2 weeks, then last weekend our IM slipped and fell and broke her elbow and had to have surgery on it Tuesday... Let's just say, I have been EXTREMELY overwhelmed the past few days/week. Not only do we have 4 major events going on this week, but I have to make sure we have all the equipment in for all the events and in on time. If we don't have the equipment here in Charlotte, I have to contact our other stores in Raleigh or Atlanta or DC or wherever to get the equipment ordered and shipped in on time and that's IF the other stores are not already using it for something else. So, I've been doing our IMs job and neglecting my other duties, it's physically impossible to do her job and mine at the same time... Well, if I decided to sleep at our store I'd have time to get it all done, but that's not going to happen. I understand the importance of getting work done, but I can't let work take over my entire life. I have to have me time, I have to have Josh and Natalie time. I would like to have more time with my friends. I would go insane if I keep going like this... things have to change. Things will change!
It's in my nature to care, that is just who I am... our store has been struggling, we lost two outside sales, finally they hired a new one and then we lost another inside sales person when we were already down a person, the work load has been heavy on all of us. But it's too much, too much pressure to get things done and not enough people... I come home everyday worn out from the day, exhausted from the 50-65 minute drive home (awful traffic), I am not liking the person I have become. I'm stressed and just plain exhausted.... But at the same time, I've been working at this place for over 4 years now, I've grown and learned a lot, gained a lot of experience and knowledge of the industry. I've come to care for my co-workers. I want them to succeed and hate to see them struggle, I hate to leave them in a bind and that is the main reason why I have not left, I feel if I leave (especially now in the peak of our busy season) they would not succeed, we would get a bad reputation and many people would be upset because our job affects how others look. Not trying to "toot my own horn" but I was told several times over the past week that if I was not here, they would have been (for lack of better words) screwed.
However, I must realize, the company is not my responsibility, new people can be hired and trained. It's my job to take care of ME and my family and I must do what is best for us. I believe my time is almost up... No, I don't have a solid back up plan. But I feel like this needs to be done.
Wish me luck - who knows where life will take me next!
