Work rut/burnout
- Thread starter cycloneworld
- Start date
It sounds like you could use a long extended vacation, like more than a week. Maybe to give yourself something to work towards, you can focus on figuring out a way to make that work if possible. No idea your line of work, but it could involve asking coworkers for favors you have to pay back later, but if I were in your situation I would likely think it's worth it to have that break.
How close are you to retirement? It's one thing to gut it out a few years like I chose to do, then trying to do it for the next 5 other 10 years. See if you can move to a new job in your office if possible, changing jobs brings new challenges but also new excitement. It's easy to get into a rut doing the same thing year after year.
Lots of good stuff in here, but let me throw in a dumb one. Change your office / desk.
For some reason, moving my computer on my desk, rearranging my office, really changes my outlook. It's dumb, but it just seems "new" and kind of helps me hit the reset button.
For some reason, moving my computer on my desk, rearranging my office, really changes my outlook. It's dumb, but it just seems "new" and kind of helps me hit the reset button.
50-55 hours is quite a bit but I see you said you dialed work back and I don't know your age, living situation/family, but if you need to create passion or job with work, have you ever thought about creating a side business with something that you like doing?
Food truck, wood working, art, etc to maybe give you that extra "purpose" type feeling that takes a little mind away from main job? Some would automatically say no and I would get why, just a thought. Or finding an extra hobby that you really enjoy that could alleviate the mundane side.
It also wouldn't hurt to ever look around or examine other careers. If you take some days off maybe use that as to search around and follow some business owners or other industries if you're in something that you're unsure of whether you want to keep doing the rest of your life.
Food truck, wood working, art, etc to maybe give you that extra "purpose" type feeling that takes a little mind away from main job? Some would automatically say no and I would get why, just a thought. Or finding an extra hobby that you really enjoy that could alleviate the mundane side.
It also wouldn't hurt to ever look around or examine other careers. If you take some days off maybe use that as to search around and follow some business owners or other industries if you're in something that you're unsure of whether you want to keep doing the rest of your life.
Does it not make you feel like a zone zombie though? I took it for a bit and I didn't like the way it made me feel. I have since tried Damiana and feel like that herb is a better stress ease.
Since it's been a few months I would first explore internal jobs or opportunities since you generally seem to like the place. Maybe a new challenge would help. Is there a specific part of your job that's making it feel that way? Maybe you can get that off your plate?
I go through this every 2-3 years it feels like. Usually after a month or two I just kind of get out of it and move on but if not I do the above. And if that fails then look for a new job (that's what I did but I've only done it once). I think with work not having a defined end date sometimes it's easy to feel blah about it
I go through this every 2-3 years it feels like. Usually after a month or two I just kind of get out of it and move on but if not I do the above. And if that fails then look for a new job (that's what I did but I've only done it once). I think with work not having a defined end date sometimes it's easy to feel blah about it
Think I’m in a similar situation. Been with my company for almost 10 years now and the past 2 have been rough for me. I think I know the causes in my case, so I’ll just vent and see if you find any insights into my situation.
I’ve always been a hard worker meaning when I’m at work I’ll give you my 100%. Heck in the middle of a few crisis I worked 24 hrs straight, so that they could have technical support on night shift until the issue was resolved. However, as a whole I usually tried keeping some work-life balance. I was big into self improvement as a young adult as well, but most of that focus went into learning finances and how to invest etc.
I was a top performer early in my career then at the 5 year mark I found myself in a position within a failing department with no real leadership to help guide the team. I made the position become what I wanted, meaning I’ll work on whatever is the most pressing issue for the site, so that I can help the company with the items that were driving big impact to the bottom line. I was actually having quite a bit of fun doing that, but we were in the middle of a business split and some restructuring was going on. This meant that my role would now have to report to someone outside the site, whom I had never really worked with before, and that had a tad of a negative reputation. When that was announced I shared with my team lead that I would like to go back to my old role. I was in a crucial time in my career, meaning the next promotion would put me into the significant bonus range, so starting brand new with someone that I had never worked with before could cause that promotion to be delayed by 2 plus years instead of happening within the next 6 months or so.
I go back to my old role (lateral move) and a few months go by. Promotion cycle comes and some co-workers that started at the same time as me get that promotion while I was left behind. No ego here, as one of the guys was definitely a great employee, the other guy was and still is a very good friend of mine and he told me that he had given them an ultimatum, meaning he was leaving unless he got a promotion. I was happy for both, but everyone knew that me being left behind was odd and not right. At that moment, I started getting calls from some senior engineers, including the engineer manager for the entire company, to tell me how good of a job I do and how they enjoy working with me etc. At that moment I knew something was up, came to find out that when promotion cycle came around my would be new boss at my old role, made a big deal about me getting a promotion and was able to get it shutdown. In summary, it was political. His feelings were hurt because I left the department that would become his and the reason why I left got to him, so out of spite or maybe to teach me a lesson he ensured that my fear/concern became real.
This event really put me in a rut for a few months. A department management position came open, and the site really pushed me to take that role. It is a position at the higher bonus bracket, and I needed a break from engineering after they failed or were unable to protect me from the political nightmare above.
As a manager, I actually really enjoy being able to make several decision every day that help drive company performance. Also, I really enjoy helping develop my team. Meaning, help them become the better version of themselves as Matt Campbell would say hahaha.
However, since becoming a manager I’ve had two kids. Managing a 24/7 operation means that I almost always get calls on nights and weekends to help manage the crisis of the day. I don’t even hate that, but that means I put 45ish hours each week and then have all the extra hour stuff, which easily puts me at 50ish hrs range for the week. Meanwhile my buddy that still in engineering and also has two kids puts 40hrs a week and makes about the same as me.
I could go back to engineering and dial back on my hours. That would probably help some. However, biggest thing for me is that there is very little innovation/new development in my company. Mostly we are just avoiding decay, meaning how do we keep the place running the same or maybe slightly better than it was 20-30 years ago. Early on, I was driven by career success, but now I’m at a point where there are not a lot next steps in the ladder. Company is on the smaller side, so even trying something completely different in another department is not an option as it would mean a big pay cut. Combine the lack of upward movement now and the lack of interesting work aka avoiding decay, and it becomes difficult to have the same drive as I once had. I also live in a very cheap community, so moving would require me to get a 25-30% pay bump to just break even. Good problem to have, I know.
Anyhow, what I’ve decided to do was to try and take things into my own hands. I’ve always wanted to the most with the time that I have on this planet. So far, for me, that has meant studying really hard back in college, and then pushing really hard in my early career. Now I’ve decided to start a side business. Maybe it won’t work out, but I needed to see what I could build for myself and my family if I were to put that focus from my earlier years into something of our own.
Do you feel appreciated? By spouse? Kids? Boss? Anyone? Are there people in your life who you appreciate, and do you let them know?
Perhaps an executive physical is in order. Maybe you blood sugar dips a bit low, etc.
Others have mentioned side-gig. I know people who are happy flipping houses on the side, taking advantage of the potential big tax-free gains. It can be a tremendous creative outlet as well.
Last edited:
- Mar 27, 2006
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Know what you're worth. Changing jobs should always be an option, especially if you feel burnt out. Life is too short to spend a third of your time doing something that makes you unhappy.
I spent a decade at a single company and while I enjoyed it immensely, I definitely felt like I was in a rut. And it definitely had a stagnating effect on my career. 5 years ago I was approached by a recruiter, whom I initially ignored, but thankfully was persistent and insistent that I was being underpaid, and should consider other options.
Listening to her ended up being the best move I've ever made. The growth of knowledge, responsibility, and overall job satisfaction has been tremendous. But beyond that, the new perspective on work has been the biggest benefit. There's nothing wrong with viewing work as transactional, because that's what it is. Time/effort for money. If the effort isn't worth the money, find something that is. Employers view employees that way. It should be no different in reverse.
I spent a decade at a single company and while I enjoyed it immensely, I definitely felt like I was in a rut. And it definitely had a stagnating effect on my career. 5 years ago I was approached by a recruiter, whom I initially ignored, but thankfully was persistent and insistent that I was being underpaid, and should consider other options.
Listening to her ended up being the best move I've ever made. The growth of knowledge, responsibility, and overall job satisfaction has been tremendous. But beyond that, the new perspective on work has been the biggest benefit. There's nothing wrong with viewing work as transactional, because that's what it is. Time/effort for money. If the effort isn't worth the money, find something that is. Employers view employees that way. It should be no different in reverse.
I have been in a bit of a rut this year as well. Got burnt out/pushed out of a major program and just been spinning my wheels since February. Had some disagreements with management on some stuff and finally have a new manager that I am developing a better relationship with. I have been looking both internally and externally to see where I stand and have received some good feedback internally but no bites externally yet.
A weird thing I noticed a few years ago was that that my overall mood was slowly being affected by what I would watch on tv or read. I was watching medical or police dramas, reading about heavy subjects or dark topics, watching documentaries on some historical tragedies, etc. And I'm not a big tv watcher in the first place.
After awhile, I had to pay closer attention to how I was occupying my free time. I wasn't giving my mind a break from negative things to let positivity in. It took me a while to really figure out the cause of my overall mood, but it's been a noticeable change. It was odd how watching or reading about something I enjoy led to that.
After awhile, I had to pay closer attention to how I was occupying my free time. I wasn't giving my mind a break from negative things to let positivity in. It took me a while to really figure out the cause of my overall mood, but it's been a noticeable change. It was odd how watching or reading about something I enjoy led to that.
I was just going to say this! I went through exactly what the OP stated. I had enough. Worked at 1 place for 20 years, was successful at it. Well paid. I got burned up and burnt out and was thinking the cure would be for a new chapter and take a new job. Went through the motions got offered another job but I couldn't make the move. For some reason I woke up 1 day and went for a run (4 miles). That day at work seemed shorter, so I woke up and did it again the next day, and the next day, and the next day. Suddenly I no longer feel burned up and burned out. I run everyday before work. I use to run in the rain, heat, snow, etc, but I realized it was kind of key to my mental health so I bought a treadmill for those days, doesnt matter as long as I run 4 miles I seem to have an easier time handling my work commitments.
