Dealing with burn out

I caught this article on Hacker News today.  It had a catchy title on there.


http://kentnguyen.com/personal/getting-rid-burnouts/
Who references teachings from Marissa Mayer

Kent sums it up as

NOT able to take break is NOT the cause of burning out. What I have learnt to be extremely crucial in looking at the matter is another way of defining it: burning out is result of not able to do what you love or important to you regularly.

It made me think about the past 7 years of my life.  Since the economy fell and the company I work for started downsizing in 2008, I've been focused on work and not on me/life.  I nor my company have enjoyed the "recovered economy" everyone talks about.   Its tooth and nail.  Hand to mouth.

Its easy for me to point at things I love or are important to me that I don't do anymore.

I don't drive my race car anymore.  Its an expense/luxury I have a hard time justifying - but there's also not enough time to prepare it nor days off to go do it.

I don't go for walks in the neighborhood - the economic downturn caused me to move to a neighborhood that isn't particularly safe.

I don't work on or care for my cars anymore.  In part the neighborhood, in part time in the day.

I don't enjoy wine anymore.  Part heath (mostly stress related I suspect), partly being on call 24x7, part a shortage of time.  Same with Bourbon and Scotch.  I don't like to drink by myself, but my work hours and where I live have kept me from family and friends.

My wife and I don't have weekend get-aways anymore.  There's no money to afford it, and I work most weekends.


I don't ride my motorcycle anymore.  I actually bought a 2nd one thinking that would re-invigorate me, but it hasn't.  I don't work far enough to justify riding to work (and I never know when I might need to run out to an appointment that's better suited to the car).  Weekends when I could ride, other projects creep in and get in the way.  And when I want to ride... bikes need work anyway.  1 of the 2 needs major service.

BBQ/Grill/Smoke - I'd like to spend a lot more time bbqing, smoking meats and grilling.  It takes more time and preparation than I give.  Its not much fun to do for yourself (and I'm away from family/friends).  Meat prices have also doubled, and when you're watching dollars that kind of spending is inappropriate.

Finally, I don't drive my classic car anymore.  Its part time to fix it, part money to fix it (it needs work).

So... I do sort of fit the mold.

Next post... how to deal with those things.