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I quit a job as PR Executive three months ago because the "bosses" were overbearing, unmerciful, and down right manipulative. I loved my job but I started to become hypertensive under the pressure and stress. I think I made a huge mistake because I haven't been able to find another job. I guess I should have just stayed with the old job and put up with it.

Now that you've quit there's no use looking behind you. What's done is done. Don't spend your energy wishing you could take back a job you didn't enjoy anyway. It's time to ease up on yourself.

Have you taken some real time off since you quit? I recommend taking at least a week of vacation from your job search, and get some downtime. You simply won't be as effective in your search if you are still feeling frustrated and guilt-ridden about what happened.

There are more effective ways to deal with stress than quitting your job. Plan ahead now for your future and use some of your spare time to learn about stress-busting techniques. Try exercise, meditation or yoga. When you enter the work force again you will be better equipped to deal with the stresses of working life.

Much like other people who wrote in to you I've found myself back in the job market, laid off after nearly 15 years of continuous work in the automotive industry as a injection mold designer. For the last four years I've had my own design company on the side. After I was laid off I put everything into my business to try and get it going. Unfortunately the industry has taken a big plummet. I use to turn 10's of thousands of dollars in work away with out ever having to pick up the phone or go looking for it. Right now I don't think I could beg for work. I've since built up a customer database with nearly 400 potential customers that I keep in contact with. I have been searching across the entire country for work using my background and experience, but there is nothing out there.

Are you willing to walk away from some valuable business assets, simply because you're not willing to beg for work? What could be worse: learning to sell, or giving up on yourself and your business?

Successful entrepreneurs don't give up when times get tough. They innovate and re-invent themselves to stay afloat. They keep building on their strengths so that they are poised to bounce back when the economy does.

You have some incredible assets that aren't working to full capacity right now. My advice is to either figure a way around your distaste for selling, or hire somebody else to sell for you. I have a number of suggestions. Get out and meet with your customers. Keep those relationships strong and they will remain loyal until they are ready to buy again. Hire a business consultant to get a fresh perspective on your sales strategies, or hire a telemarketer to do the begging for you.

You are not alone. Many business owners say "I put everything into my business" and then give up, just before their efforts are about to pay off.