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Burnout Is Real

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Re: Burnout Is Real

#51

Must be nice to be financially comfortable enough to give that up. I’m glad that they’re addressing the issue, but how many people are stuck with the mortgage and the student debt and the family that needs almost every penny of their income to make ends meet for every person that has the resources to do drop out of the tech industry in less than half a year?

These are all choices you make. I chose not to have children, own a house, etc because I didn't want to feel like I was buried by these things. Many people don't feel that way and the decision to take on those responsibilities makes sense.

The tech industry is a major driver for gentrification as a result of ludicrously high pay rates, especially after the pandemic when tech workers have started to move into cheaper areas as a result of the adoption of remote work. If dropping out of the industry is what you want, an adjustment of expectations is likely required and I'd argue tech workers have plenty of room to adapt there.

Re: Burnout Is Real

#52
I wish Tim well, I don't know him but mental health is important and undervalued. That being said...

Maybe (definitely) I'm cynical but these two tweets turned me off:

"I started running google ads and I’ve had some good success in the short two weeks"

"I have detailed a car belonging to an Active Denver Bronco, and I’ve detailed a Mercedes, Volvo, and a Porsche."

Maybe I'm burned out?

Re: Burnout Is Real

#53
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You probably like making things. It's why we program. Find something you like making besides programs.

Creating programs isn't much like creating other things at all. People who likes to draw doesn't like programming more than anyone else and vice versa.

Depends what programming you do and how you look at it. To me, it is like creating/crafting/sculpting. I guess if your days are filled with creating CRUD apps, this feels different.

Re: Burnout Is Real

#55
post #10

I think burnout is just depression. but what do I know

Ive had both. For me, they are very different. Burnout is not being able to make myself do a job I am completely capable of doing, which I once loved doing, to the point thoughts of self harm start to creep in. Depression is feeling worthless about everything and anything. With depression, I cannot do anything. With burnout, I can easily keep doing things, I just cant do that one thing.

It’s like a localised depression. Having had both it feels very similar except, as you said, for burnout if you leave work then suddenly it’s not so bad.

Re: Burnout Is Real

#56

Personally, I find the biggest reason for burnout is lack of autonomy. The author seems to have found the same.

I've lost track of the source, but i saw a TED talk that outlines 5 happiness indicators for work. You need at least 3 of them to be happy with your job:

1. Security

2. Good pay

3. Connected with others

4. Satisfaction in work

5. Autonomy

These helped me understand my burnout experience. By the time I left, all of the others had vanished except for the pay.

Re: Burnout Is Real

#57

I wish Tim well, I don't know him but mental health is important and undervalued. That being said... Maybe (definitely) I'm cynical but these two tweets turned me off: "I started running google ads and I’ve had some good success in the short two weeks" "I have detailed a car belonging to an Active Denver Bronco, and I’ve detailed a Mercedes, Volvo, and a Porsche." Maybe I'm burned out?

Are you skeptical because it seems too good to be true that he might actually enjoy it? Honestly, i think I understand what he’s saying. I started doing some barback work - basically keeping the bar moving - after being in tech for a decade. It’s way more fun. The bartender I’ve worked with also used to work in tech. And honestly, the money can be good, too. Turns out you don’t need to spend as much just to get yourself unburnt out.

Re: Burnout Is Real

#59
post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have tons of interests, just wish I had 'lucrative' interests. My deep knowledge of Star Wars and the NBA is not leveragable.

Why can't they be lucrative? Fire up SEMRush or something similar, find a niche around NBA or Star Wars that's partially attainable, spend some time building a website in that niche that covers your interests. Monetise the traffic. That said, it's kind of nice to have interests that don't become 'work'.

>That said, it's kind of nice to have interests that don't become 'work'.

Many people, including myself, do/have felt guilt over doing things too much that don't make money. Where that comes from or how that works, not sure, but I have met many people who had that. And wanted their hobbies to make money in order not to feel guilty about doing them.

Re: Burnout Is Real

#60

Personally, I find the biggest reason for burnout is lack of autonomy. The author seems to have found the same.

I've lost track of the source, but i saw a TED talk that outlines 5 happiness indicators for work. You need at least 3 of them to be happy with your job: 1. Security 2. Good pay 3. Connected with others 4. Satisfaction in work 5. Autonomy These helped me understand my burnout experience. By the time I left, all of the others had vanished except for the pay.

I always keep this list in my mind: Autonomy, mastery and purpose.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drive:_The_Surprising_Truth_Ab...

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