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Ask HN: Working through burnout?

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Re: Ask HN: Working through burnout?

#61

Post by derekp7 »

swalsh wrote: post #58

I was burnt out once. It got bad, I got depressed, for lack of better way to putting it, i felt "disconnected" from myself. My relationship was suffering, and nothing made it better. It only got worse. I'd get in this loop, where i'd work long hours. Get nothing done, so work longer hours. It kept repeating, getting worse and worse. I tried taking a vacation, that did little to help. What worked for me was changing j…

I was in a similar situation -- for me, I didn't feel like my contributions were welcomed, felt like there was too much of a load of work to do, but it also felt like useless work. Then the company downsized, and I was laid off for 4 months in the summer. During the recession, and only got a hand full of interviews during that time (I think 3 in-person, and 2 phone interviews). But that 4 months off made me a new person, so when I did get back to work (new job, with a strong need for my skill set) I felt (and performed) like I was 20 years younger.

So, "yes" to the job change, and a big "yes" to a real vacation (not just a week, but sometimes you need a month or more off). The best is if you can have some savings, and find a job that has a start date pushed out a bit (of course this is a bit risky depending on the job market and your ability to easily land a job).

Re: Ask HN: Working through burnout?

#62

Post by daw___ »

Countdowns! When I feel the burnout is kicking in (usually every 2 years), I just keep counting down how many days and then hours are left to the deadline. It's like visualizing your own well deserved relief that slowly takes shape, it's quite motivating.

Re: Ask HN: Working through burnout?

#63

Post by caffeine »

Seriously, the only practical thing that works is exercise and sleep. If you have to push through, exercise 1hr per day and sleep at least 6 hours during your ordeal. The exercise will clear your fog brain like nothing else can. Also, moderate your caffeine intake during this period - your adrenals are already shot from stress and exhaustion, no need to make it worse.

Re: Ask HN: Working through burnout?

#64

Post by s73v3r »

lkrubner wrote: post #8
Starwatcher2001 wrote: post #6

If you're as fogged out as you seem to be, then the hours you're spending at work are pretty much completely unproductive. I'd suggest you use them more wisely by going home and getting a really good nights sleep. Consider it an investment in being more productive tomorrow.

That is useless advice. More so, it is hurtful advice. "Get a long night sleep" is not always an option. And the person above is clearly asking "When a long night of sleep is not an option, what else can I do?" We all know there are professions (fire fighters, police, soldiers, nurses, doctors, computer programmers, etc) where it is sometimes necessary to work extreme hours. And the question being asked is clearly, h…

In his situation, it is always an option. The business is not going to come crashing down simply because he decided to get some sleep.

Re: Ask HN: Working through burnout?

#65

Post by s73v3r »

lkrubner wrote: post #33
juhq wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I see no reason for extreme hours for programmers, it's just wasted time. More companies should embrace 6 hour work days and 4 day work weeks, as people are then forced to work on only the important things and not do any busywork. Go get a good long sleep. Rest. Get a hammock and sleep on parks. Enjoy life. Work is not life. Work is means to an end but not life.

Do you realize that the question being asked has nothing to do with what you are suggesting? The question is clearly about those situations where "Go get a good long sleep" is not an option. Are you going to argue that "Go get a good long sleep" is always an option, under all circumstances? if so, make that argument: detail the cases where the whole company was depending on you to reach some crucial deadline, and you…

Bullshit. How often do those "critical deadlines" end up not meaning anything other than some MBA chose a date at random? And if the business truly does hinge on meeting this one deadline, why is he he only one on it?

As for your sob story, why in the holy fuck did you put off the work until the week of the meeting?

Re: Ask HN: Working through burnout?

#66

Post by gopalv »

caffeine wrote: post #63

Seriously, the only practical thing that works is exercise and sleep. If you have to push through, exercise 1hr per day and sleep at least 6 hours during your ordeal. The exercise will clear your fog brain like nothing else can. Also, moderate your caffeine intake during this period - your adrenals are already shot from stress and exhaustion, no need to make it worse.

+1 for exercise.

Also as you give up coffee/sodas, don't give up fluids altogether.

Keep a bottle of water near you at all times. Enough people I know have ulcers or kidney stones from pushing through late shifts.

Re: Ask HN: Working through burnout?

#67

Post by s73v3r »

hugs wrote: post #7

1) Stop reading HN. 2) Work your ass off for the next 3 days. You can do it. And for the next 3 days, have as many lunch and dinners with your team as you can -- meals with your team during a crunch time are a great morale booster. Also, don't pull all-nighters. Even if it's a crisis, you still need sleep. 3) On day 4, have the awkward conversation with your team lead, manager, etc... and quit. 4) Promise yourself yo…

If you're gonna quit, why bother killing yourself for the next 3 days? Take your time and do the work well, on a reasonable pace.

Re: Ask HN: Working through burnout?

#68

Post by masukomi »

caffeine wrote: post #63

Seriously, the only practical thing that works is exercise and sleep. If you have to push through, exercise 1hr per day and sleep at least 6 hours during your ordeal. The exercise will clear your fog brain like nothing else can. Also, moderate your caffeine intake during this period - your adrenals are already shot from stress and exhaustion, no need to make it worse.

meh, exercise and sleep are great, and they certainly help, but sometimes the job itself is the core problem... Doesn't matter how fit and well rested you are if you're sick of doing the same thing day after day after day after day...

Re: Ask HN: Working through burnout?

#69

Post by online_reader_ »

My general view is in the short term, you make those obligations. In the long term, you change your situation.

That said, there is a lot of good advice here -- sleep well, exercise, disconnect when not on the clock, talk to those who set the deadline and explain the situation in an advantageous way.

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