Ask HN: Burnt-out, directionless but want to turn it around • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Burnt-out, directionless but want to turn it around

#511

Post by feanaro » Wed, Jun 01, 2022, 8:16 PM UTC

misja111 wrote: post #342

feanaro wrote: post #200

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> No-one will care about a month or two gap on your resume. On a related note, this "gap in resume" thing needs to stop being a thing at all. I don't know when it became a thing, but it feels distinctively like forcing a wage slave class to keep their head down and continue wageslaving. Why would an employer care whether I took time off to pursue other things otherwise?

> Why would an employer care whether I took time off to pursue other things otherwise? It's not that. Having a gap in your resume might mean that the candidate is trying to hide something. E.g. a job where candidate was fired and doesn't want to be asked to provide references. If you took a gap to pursue other things, put whatever this was on your CV, don't just leave a gap. If it was something interesting, it might…

I disagree with this reasoning. Not to repeat things that were nicely said elsewhere, see https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31569160 and https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31568962, but it boils down to "it's none of your business".

I will absolutely not ever be convinced that I should have to account all of my life to a company I'm considering joining.

I may explain a certain gap if I feel like it. But if I feel I'm being put into a situation where I'm expected to explain it, this isn't a company I would like to work with.

Re: Ask HN: Burnt-out, directionless but want to turn it around

#512

Post by ehonsey33 » Wed, Jun 01, 2022, 11:38 PM UTC

> I've put in countless hours of work every day (70-90 hrs), being on-call almost 24/7, sometimes for straight 7 days for months despite only getting paid on a salary basis on 40 hr work weeks; being a loner helps with working long hours.

Stop all of that nonsense now, even if it means quitting your job. As a smart man once said, "Work harder on yourself than you do your job." Don't think you can quit your job? The profession is hungry for Hard Workers that want to build great Software Tools.

You are not a Loser You do not need to be a Loner, many will help you Good programming is not just DS and Algorithms, they merely help You need a clear Head and Heart before you can be an effective Problem-Solver

Like other people have said, step away from the game for a bit and find out what you want to Build. You want to be more than a Code Monkey, and you will find a Way.

Re: Ask HN: Burnt-out, directionless but want to turn it around

#513

Post by supportengineer » Thu, Jun 02, 2022, 12:39 AM UTC

Keep a log or journal of your daily wins. I think that if you try this for a week, you'll have something that you can look back on, and feel great satisfaction.

Re: Ask HN: Burnt-out, directionless but want to turn it around

#514

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Jun 02, 2022, 5:40 AM UTC

pragmatic wrote: post #497

gumby wrote: post #362

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Interesting: over the last 30 years I’ve been lucky enough that my resume is more gap than “work”. I wonder if that would be a problem if I tried to apply for a job at a a big company.

Teach me your ways master!

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Burnt-out, directionless but want to turn it around

#515

Post by jasonm23 » Thu, Jun 02, 2022, 5:56 AM UTC

feanaro wrote: post #200

colanderman wrote: post #9

1. Take time off, like a month or more. [1] Use it to do anything other than coding. Hone a hobby, travel, volunteer, etc. No-one will care about a month or two gap on your resume. 2. You are worth more than you currently think you are. Internalize this, know this, that is key. "I am a sole developer for Mobile and Web platforms at this startup in a very small team" --> is a desirable skill in and of itself. 3. Stop…

> No-one will care about a month or two gap on your resume. On a related note, this "gap in resume" thing needs to stop being a thing at all. I don't know when it became a thing, but it feels distinctively like forcing a wage slave class to keep their head down and continue wageslaving. Why would an employer care whether I took time off to pursue other things otherwise?

As someone who spent the last 8 years in VP & C suite positions...

If someone is asking questions about a resume gap (implying it's important)... LEAVE THE INTERVIEW.

It will stop being a thing when people realize it's none of anyone's business except yours.

The push for arbitrary obedience is part of the same problem.

You will find companies that aren't run by psychopaths but you must vote with your feet. Discourage yourself and others from putting up with this shabby behavior.

Re: Ask HN: Burnt-out, directionless but want to turn it around

#516

Post by zhamisen » Thu, Jun 02, 2022, 6:05 AM UTC

Just reinforcing that you are not a loser, but a worthy and loved person. Have a blessed weekend :)

Re: Ask HN: Burnt-out, directionless but want to turn it around

#517

Post by twodogs » Fri, Jun 03, 2022, 12:51 AM UTC

Retreat, regroup, counterattack.

One way or another you need to rest. You are burnt out, and you cannot produce creative work while you are burnt out.

Rest. Get your life in order.

Start working on something new after you are functioning.

Re: Ask HN: Burnt-out, directionless but want to turn it around

#518

Post by rmsa » Fri, Jun 03, 2022, 10:28 AM UTC

Wow, this feels so incredibly like my situation (except for the extra hours, I just don’t do them) that it is kind of creepy. The main difference being that I’m 10 years older. Thanks for sharing this.

Re: Ask HN: Burnt-out, directionless but want to turn it around

#519

Post by llllllllllll9 » Sat, Jun 04, 2022, 12:59 AM UTC

rramadass wrote: post #509

llllllllllll9 wrote: post #508

Earlier quoted context omitted.

same story, different spin. but if it helps you ....

>same story, different spin. Nope. There is a reason i mentioned Deci's book; i highly recommend going through it. Peak: Secrets from the New Science of Expertise by Anders Ericsson is also relevant here.

nah. but happy that it helps you.

Re: Ask HN: Burnt-out, directionless but want to turn it around

#520

Post by gardenhedge » Tue, Jun 07, 2022, 3:41 AM UTC

zmxz wrote: post #320

madeofpalk wrote: post #306

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've taken multiple six month stints off, and in the UK no one has ever asked about it.

I'm in management, writing to confirm this. I've seen many CV's, many gaps, never asked about it, I don't even assume why it happened. Burnout is a known problem in our profession, I approach people with open mind, I experienced burnout myself and taking time off is desirable for mental health.

I am replying to this reply here because I can't reply on the original post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31203871

Firstly: Do you think every comment should be positive? Secondly, how is my comment negative enough for you to make that reply? I asked a question and gave (honest) feedback on my reading of the article/post.

> The list is obviously not for you

But it IS on HN which I read. HN is a public forum that anyone can join and make comments. It is fair game to give feedback on articles.

> this reflex where one needs to be so angry and vocal about something so benign (and useful) is what makes me question what have we done to ourselves as a society.

The usefulness of the advice is completely subjective and the main point of the comment section is to discuss that. Would you rather comments like "love this", "+1", "all great advice!". That seems completely useless to me.

Your questioning of society based on my question and feedback seems outrageously ridiculous to me.

Ironically, a quick look shows you have multiple grey posts and are not a positive commenter yourself. Maybe your reply was actually some self reflection.