Occupational Burnout??
 

How would you recognize it?
What would you do if it were you?

I quit my job last August. I was constantly angry. I hated my clients (even though they were not the problem). I hated the managment (they are indeed deserving of this hatred). I hated our primary vendor (Microsoft, somewhat deserving of wrath).
Quit. Do something else.

[QUOTE=KevinP73;3996512]How would you recognize it?
QUOTE]

When all you do is surf on Pelican

I'm leaving my job as a consultant (with a consulting firm) tommorow to take a job with a former client on Monday. I'll do something different, but related. It will be a new challenge. Although very sucessful at what I have done, I have been burned out for a while and I think this will be a fun change. I'll probably work less and spend more time with the family. I need to manage my expectations about what I can accomplish, but I'm looking forward to the opportunity.

Are you cynical and no longer believe in your product? You're burnt out.

What to do? If you can't retire or change careers, the following is recommend:

1) Get in a serious physical workout plan.
2) Develop outside interests and start to associate with more people outside of work.

I've attended several training seminars on this subject.

When you've earned yourself a reputation of being the best by doing the best work, and then, one day -- maybe you are tired or maybe a customer has been a huge pain in the ass -- a panel isn't 100% and you say to yourself, "they'll never notice."

Office Space has the answers my friend.

http://media.movieweb.com/galleries/1519/890/lo/co4.jpg

Office Space has the answers my friend.

http://media.movieweb.com/galleries/1519/890/lo/co4.jpg

Buy a Porsche. It worked for me. And I'm not really joking.

Ian

I think many (most?) of us feel burned out at work at times.

I guess the question is, how realistic is it to switch jobs/careers, and what sacrifice(s) are you willing to make?

Most of us have responsibilities to family that preclude a big pay cut, and try to soldier on at work, while deriving pleasure elsewhere.

But if one is truly miserable at work, that has a cost to self and family as well.

So... no easy answers, I think.

I am reaching that point rapidly. I hit this place once before and I took 6 months off and moved to Santa Monica

When you just don't give a damn any more.

Either try to mentally re-invigorate yourself/figure out why you're burned out. (are you just tired of the work (for me if I do the same thing day in and day out I get bored.)

Change jobs, do the same work, just a different company.

Change work, do something completely different.

Cycling...just cycling a lot worked very well for me...

That is a funny but very real diagnose. It was really just recently 'invented'. Naturally people have been suffering chronic fatigue and dreariness symptoms at work for decades, but it was not many years ago it was addressed as a specific medical diagnose.

Amphetamines FTW.

I don't think that it was invented...and no....it's not funny...:(

I don't think he meant humorous, Syl. Marcus' english has come a long way, ( I think it's excellent), but sometimes the nuance of anyone can get lost in cyberspace.

I think it's normal, Kevin, for someone our age who has been doing essentially the same thing for years or maybe decades to get burnt-out. If a guy is lucky enough to be in a financial position where he can just take a 6-month trip around the world, the answer is easy. For those of us who need to work to pay the bills, it's a little more challenging. I'm kind of lucky right now in that it's been slow which has given me a break while making me hungry for work at the same time. Maybe branch-out somehow, I wish I had a better answer.

FWIW, when things pick-up for me I will be seeking your services. Hang in there, buddy. :cool:

A year in Ireland sounds tempting. Then maybe Australia. Both places have excellent kayaking from what I've heard.

I have been burnt out for a few years now. My career has become a job, and nothing more. I set a deadline to quit in 7 years. When I hit 50, good frigging by. Will I retire, no but will I touch a wrench for money again, no. I think my new job will involve saying, "welcome to Walmart, fishing poles on isle 14" :)

Don't want to end up like this guy:
<object width="425" height="349"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xTqz6a-PA5U&hl=en&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border= 1"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xTqz6a-PA5U&hl=en&color1=0x006699&color2=0x54abd6&border= 1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="349"></embed></object>


You know, travelling in central america I met so many ex-pats. People who never liked their jobs, dropped everything, sold everything, moved, and now own restaurants, hostels, bars....etc. You cannot wipe the smile off their faces. They all look so stress free and happy.