Career burnout

[fmullner]

I have finally admitted to myself that I am burnt out with my current career. I don't hate it. It just doesn't get me out of bed in the morning like it used to. The job itself is OK, the pay is good, there's advancement potential, etc. In fact, all those things that usually make you say "screw this place" are absent from this job, but I'm still not all that happy. In fact, I'm bored out of my skull. I'm also fully aware that going out and "doing something else" is easier said than done.

I know I'm not the only one out there who's been in this spot before, so any advice would be appreciated. How do you learn to love what you do again?

 

[Guest]

I heard a very wise person once say that you have to balance your work and away-from-work 'happiness' in order to really evaluate your happiness on the job. In other words, sometimes we accept the hum-drum job in order to enhance our away-from-work activities.

For me, I am at the same point of boredom with my job for slightly different reasons. I LIKE my chosen profession, so will be seeking alternate employment soon. Once I finish my M.S. degre .. Not to mention that I do not make enough $$ to support the things I would like to do away-from-work.

I suggest introspection as to what is important in your life. Once you find the balances between work and away-from-work activities, you can not only have a better perspective of YOUR situation but also make more informed decisions for what you might do to change your perspective.

Good luck!

JR

 

[niffur]

let me guess - you recently crossed the 7-8 year mark of the working life. i think it happens to everybody - that period of time where you just aren't excited like you used to be, but you recognize you have it pretty good.

 

[Polysloman]

I have finally admitted to myself that I am burnt out with my current career. I d In fact, I'm bored out of my skull. I'm also fully aware that going out and "doing something else" is easier said than done.

You need more hobbies; expensives ones. buy a set of hybrid ping golf clubs get your game strong. Start recruiting clients, try doing business development. Mentor & tutor at your H.S in engineering & sports.

Give to more charities, volunteer anywhere: Contribute to wiki P.E. notes, help others on this board with THE exam

"A job is nothing but work" It's a mean to get & do what you really want

 

[bigray76]

fmullner,

I don't care for my job... I don't mind the work, but I'd love to be doing something else (don't know exactly what)... however, my job pays the mortgage plus, it allows me to live in a nice house, raise a nice family, buy things we need, and enjoy a few hobbies. My goal is to get home from work every night and see my kids and wife. I'll never love what I do, but I love what it allows me to do.

Like Polyslo says, take up a hobbie - we all need a place to vent and destress - golf, fishing, fencing, volunteering, etc. It is a healthy thing to do.

Ray

 

[fmullner]

Hey all, thanks for the advice.

Niffur--I will have 10 years in my career in June. You pretty much nailed it.

I have to say that this wasn't really the advice I was expecting which makes it all the more interesting. The funny thing is that I've always had a hard time being good to myself, so acting on the advice may be easier said than done.

Thanks again.

 

[chavez]

I've been feeling it too....happens to me around December / January every year though...

 

[C-Dog]

I decided to get my PE and took the FE and PE in one year. That kept my mind occupied at work. I also got more involved in local town politics, as a watchdog, not a politician. That is how I did it.

 

[Dleg]

I think everyone "burns out" in their job eventually. Like everyone else said, concentrate on making the most of your life outside of work first. If there's something about your job that prevents you from doing that, such as long hours or being on call all the time, then I could consider looking for something different, perhaps even for less pay. Like government work!

Once you've made sure you've given yourself enough time to get your personal life up and running, then the best thing I have found to spark itnerest in your job is to set a goal. Like passing the PE exam, or earning someother certificaiton, or just learning something new.

But, like others above, I find that I can put up with quite a bit of BS as long as I am enjoying my life away from work, and have enough time to enjoy it.

 

[Dark Knight]

Do you think a professional burn out is bad? Wait until you feel the same about your personal life. I mean, feeling that you are on quick sand, that no matter how hard you try things never change and, as a matter of fact you go deeper. That sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Vishal]

^ +1 on that. At times, things just don't go your way, no matter what you do. In fact, they keep on spiraling down even with good intentioned efforts!! I am not enjoying life at work as such. I am just in my 5th year og my career and the beginning of this year has been very very damp for me. i hope i collect myself soon and get back to full force. however, i want to just take off for a week or two and do nothing. just relax, i think the vacation is overdue now.. !! will save this thot for some other time.. till then let's just get back to work

 

[csb]

I've hit this wall too...at the five year mark. Failing the PE was just enough to push me to really wonder, "Do I even want to be an engineer?"

I have no advice...just that I'm at this point too...it pays the bills, but it's getting harder to get here every morning.

 

[Brody]

One possiblility is to make certain you don't spend long hours at work and don't take the job home with you.

 

[NCcarguy]

I can honestly say that I've been through that about 10 times in my career. heck I still don't know if this is what I want to do when I grow up!!! I will say, to those of you that feel this way after failing the exam.....that's normal! I can say that mainly because I failed the damn exam so many times, but that feeling usually passes. What you need to do is commit yourself to passing the test, no matter what else, if you get this behind you, then that's done! Then you may be able to re-evaluate where you are with your chosen path. Those that are just feeling this way....take a look at what REALLY is making you feel this way. I doubt it's the career, but it could be what you're doing, or who you're doing it with, or for....I've been stuck in a corner spot just doing red-lines before and I HATED that job...now I spend all day on the phone some days dealing with ill developers.....and I LOVE it! everything that has to be done in this business isn't done by everyone, so there are MANY different ways to make money....and LOTS of it!

So take a look at what you REALLY want to do, and start working in that direction. If the opportunity isn't there where you currently work, look for another job, and be honest when you interview as to where you want to work toward......

Most importantly though......ALWAYS KEEP A GOOD ATTITUDE!!!!! I can't say enough how just CHOOSING to have a good attitude every morning will make a tremendous amount of difference in your life......try it!

 

[ODB_PE]

Most importantly though......ALWAYS KEEP A GOOD ATTITUDE!!!!! I can't say enough how just CHOOSING to have a good attitude every morning will make a tremendous amount of difference in your life......try it!

Though this is difficult to do, this is probably the best advice I have seen. When you start off the day pissed off, it can only get worse. I do this to myself way too much.

In my case It has always been "it will be better after this is done" - I have been on the fast track - 7 years ago I was 10 years removed from an engineering program I basically failed out of the first time. In the last 4.5 years, I managed to father 2 children, finish my BS, MS, get 3.5 years of experience and my PE, all while maintaining a family and 2 small children (and being able to keep my Saint of a wife at home the whole time) - each step along the way I told myself it would be easier when in fact is has somehow gotten harder and more miserable.

The hobbies and friends thing is important too - I have been so wrecked the last few years it seems I have abandoned all of it. Talk about depressing!

Just wanted to vent as well as add to the "you are not alone" sentiment.

 

[Capt Worley PE]

I've always been a big saver. That helps a lot when you get fed up and just quit. I've done that before after 6.5 years with the feds. Hated the job, hated where I lived, but I had the bank to quit and move. One of the smartest moves I ever made, over all.

 

[Dleg]

There are plenty of opportunities for "career changes" that don't require stopping being an engineer, which is where your degree and experience is best suited. If you've really hit a wall, that can be good for you. But you may have to start out again in an entry level position. I've done that three times now - started in the oilfield, got tired of having no life, moved into A&E work (total entry level), and then moved into government, where I;ve been relatively happy ever since, but paid poorly compared to private sector engineers.

 

[Wolverine]

Get a book called Pathfinder, by Lore. It's all about deciding what it is you really want to do based on what you're good at, and then resolving to be there in 5 years or 10 years or whatever it takes. Don't live in comfortable misery - have the guts to risk it all, even if you fail.

Some good inspirational stories right up there ^^^. In seven more years, what will you be saying to yourself? What do you want to be saying? I want to be where NC is, loving the job, with great attitude. Good stuff.

 

[RIP - VTEnviro]

I've been feeling it too....happens to me around December / January every year though...

I've kinda been in a rut lately and I'm wondering if that whole winter depression thing has something to do with it. I haven't seen much of my wife in the last month so that is probably messing with me too.

I don't wake up in the morning dreading anything, but a lot of times lately I've just been rundown with the daily grind, feeling like I should be doing more, and worrying a lot about stuff. I'm kinda sluggish and have a hard time pumping myself up to do stuff I normally love to do.

 

[Dark Knight]

Get a book called Pathfinder, by Lore. It's all about deciding what it is you really want to do based on what you're good at, and then resolving to be there in 5 years or 10 years or whatever it takes. Don't live in comfortable misery - have the guts to risk it all, even if you fail.
Some good inspirational stories right up there ^^^. In seven more years, what will you be saying to yourself? What do you want to be saying? I want to be where NC is, loving the job, with great attitude. Good stuff.

Thanks for this post Wolverine. I am showing it to my wife. This is how we are living now. In a comfortable misery. She does not want to risk moving out of here even when I showed her we would be better somewhere else.

But women, at least most of them, think primary with their heart. Their emotions get the best of them. My best reasonings and talks have not been enough to make my wife think about moving from a place that is beautiful...ok....but has us living on a check by check basis. For a couple that is going to celebrate their 20th year together I think that is ridiculous. Maybe I should be a bad husband and impose my will no matter what.