[nukkad] IT Burnout Syndrome

[Sameer Upadhye <>]

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Is there hope after burnout?
Question:
I've been a project manager running million-dollar corporate software
projects for about 15 years. However, over the last two years, I've
found I just don't enjoy it anymore.

I'm sick of the stress, the never-ending deadlines, the frantic pace of
technology, and the "only as good as your last project" mentality. I
find myself checking my retirement projections spreadsheet more
frequently (if I could just double my money this year, etc.). I'm 41 and
don't think I can keep this up for another 10 years.

I realize this is classic burnout syndrome because I'm trained to watch
for it in others. However, I'm now finding that dealing with it myself
isn't too easy. Listening to Zig Ziglar used to help, but reciting happy
thoughts to myself in the mirror doesn't work like it used to.

I find myself wanting to go pound nails for a builder or mow lawns or
just do something mindless for a while. I believe that with my project
management skills I could step out of corporate life for a while and
come back to it later, assuming I recover. But I suspect it would be
difficult to justify to a new employer that I can still do it and won't
burn out again. Plus I'll have lost my contacts.

Changing jobs didn't help because I did that recently. More money isn't
the answer because with more money comes more responsibility.

What's the answer? "Would you like some fries with that, sir?"

Reply:
Welcome to burnout. It happens to most talented people at some point.
It's nature telling you to flip the burger because one side is done now.
It's time for the other side. You're allowed to get off the IT wagon and
kick the can for a while. Give yourself a break, or you'll crash. Jobs
can be replaced, but you get only one body, one mind. (There's no reason
for your contacts to "get lost"—it's not hard to maintain the best ones
even when you take time off.)

I was about 40 when I chucked it all to write a book, start an online
site, and follow my gut. Yes, it was a risk, and yes, it took time. But
I'm your happy ending. Now I handle only the searches I really want to
do. I also take on consulting projects that have strategic implications
for my clients.

I suddenly find myself doing things I haven't done in years—and no one
questions whether I can still do it, because I show them I can. I focus
on work I like. And I get paid very well for it because I've invested in
building my credibility and reputation in new areas by redeploying my
same old skills. (Well, I have developed some new ones. And I've worked
my butt off.)

If this were easy, everyone would be doing it. Here's the secret: Trust
your ability to earn a living and to do useful work. When you crash and
burn, you'll be able to get up, dust yourself off, and figure out what
to do next.

Life is short. Do what comes next now.

Nick Corcodilos
Ask The Headhunter®

--
Cheers

Sameer
mailto:sameer.upadhye@ae.ge.com
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