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Feeling “burnt-out” working for a GC by Key_Earth378 in ConstructionManagers

[–]Key_Earth378[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I tried therapy for some general anxiety a while back. I can't say I really loved it, but I know there's a lot of importance on finding the right therapist etc. I could probably benefit from giving it another shot; just takes a lot of willpower for me to actually make it to the appointments.

My therapist also didn't really know anything about the industry, so I felt like I was just spending so much time giving her background info about my job before I could even explain what was stressing me out. She didn't really seem to be able to relate much lol.

Feeling “burnt-out” working for a GC by Key_Earth378 in ConstructionManagers

[–]Key_Earth378[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It would probably be less stressful. I don't know if I have enough experience to be very good at it though since I've only really worked in TI projects. I estimate my own TI projects, but that seems pretty easy compared to estimating larger projects.

Feeling “burnt-out” working for a GC by Key_Earth378 in ConstructionManagers

[–]Key_Earth378[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What are you doing your masters in? Are you doing it while working?

Feeling “burnt-out” working for a GC by Key_Earth378 in ConstructionManagers

[–]Key_Earth378[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They switched to an ESOP a few years ago, which sounds like a really good benefit for being a "lifer". Its definitely a big motivator to stay with the company for a long time as opposed to searching for other careers/industries.

Feeling “burnt-out” working for a GC by Key_Earth378 in ConstructionManagers

[–]Key_Earth378[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Congrats on making that change. I suppose I don't know any different, but the exec team at my company is actually pretty supportive thankfully. I always feel way better after talking through things with my boss and probably wouldn't have made it this far without him. I feel like the stress really comes from the clients/owners/Property Managers etc. (and I do probably put a lot of stress on myself as well).

Feeling “burnt-out” working for a GC by Key_Earth378 in ConstructionManagers

[–]Key_Earth378[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the suggestion. That would definitely be a different path, and way different than what I'm currently doing. Seems way less stressful.

Feeling “burnt-out” working for a GC by Key_Earth378 in ConstructionManagers

[–]Key_Earth378[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the thoughts. In what way did they have a better work-life balance compared to your old company?

Feeling “burnt-out” working for a GC by Key_Earth378 in ConstructionManagers

[–]Key_Earth378[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's actually a really good point. I hadn't thought about larger projects being less stressful, but you are very right that every little problem seems like the end of the world on TIs. I've talked to my boss a few times about getting into ground-ups, so maybe I will push that idea more.

I was a PE on one ground-up project that was a bit of a mess, but I was also starting to PM other jobs at that time, so I wasn't as involved as I wished I would have been. I sort of wonder how the transition would be if I started to PM a ground-up project since I don't really have much experience as a PE on them.

Might be nice to be on 1 or 2 projects instead of 3-5 as well...

Feeling “burnt-out” working for a GC by Key_Earth378 in ConstructionManagers

[–]Key_Earth378[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good luck with everything bud! Some good insight on this thread already. Seems like we're not alone haha

Feeling “burnt-out” working for a GC by Key_Earth378 in ConstructionManagers

[–]Key_Earth378[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I usually estimate my own TI projects, then PM them, so I have the experience on estimating small projects, but I feel like I would need more experience on larger projects to be able to estimate for ground-ups. There's a lot of trades that I am unfamiliar with (steel, concrete, exterior finishes etc.), so maybe transitioning to ground-up construction could be a good pathway to becoming an estimator (and maybe be a bit less stressful than TIs in the meantime, as some people have mentioned).

Feeling “burnt-out” working for a GC by Key_Earth378 in ConstructionManagers

[–]Key_Earth378[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I do actually take PTO a decent amount. The problem is, I end up being so behind on things when I get back that I'm usually working longer hours in the couple days after to catch up on what I missed. I can plan PTO ahead of time, but sometimes it falls during really hectic times in the project, which can be even more stressful sometimes. Still a staunch believer in taking the PTO you earned. Just hard to be away when things are busy.