I am self employed in the construction industry and recently made a switch from the field into sales. I had some salesman on staff that could never really create the numbers i needed. My whole life i always told myself i would stay in the field doing the physical work. However the last few months ive fired all the salesmen and took on sales. Luckily i have a good crew in the field that dont need me every moment.

So heres what ive noticed. I am more exhausted than ever. Im not getting dirty or doing physical labor, but the mental demand of selling and tracking jobs is draining me. I can dig holes and mix concrete all day, and get home and be ready to do anything i wanted. Now i get home after politic’ing with clients and i am fuckin GASSED. I never expected this. I will say ive learned that im a much better salesman than anyone thats worked for me (not that the bar was set very high).

I have a new respect for guys that do more “white collar” sort of work. Its exhausting.