Preventing Burnout

[BJCooperIT]

Some of you may have read several threads I have started in the past few weeks and may be aware of my situation. For those of you who don't here is a brief recap. I am a consultant on a state government contract. I have been put in an impossible position to achieve a relatively simple task that circumstances prevent me from doing. I care a great deal about my work and not being accomplish this is a major stress factor. Compounding this are some family medical issues at home (I travel to my contract on Sunday night, about 250 miles, and home again on Friday afternoon).

I have been in the business long enough to recognize burnout and it is definitely chasing me down the street. Quiting is not an option at this time. Last year I was out of work for 5 months and there still is not much work out there in my state. I was lucky to snag this contract and the hourly rate is good. I need to work and this job was a godsend when it came along.

I know about documenting the problems and my boss is well-informed of the situation here. So it does not seem there is much that can be done to make the 9-5 hours better. So, outside of finding a new job, how do I prevent burnout? I find humor helps but it only goes so far...

So stress-busters anyone?

select * from Life where Brain is not null

Consultant/Custom Forms & PL/SQL - Oracle 8.1.7 - Windows 2000
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[Rhys666]

Reading you want, but having eyestrain probles? This may sound childish to some but what about audio books? I live in the UK, my wife is dyslexic and registered disabled and she has great difficulty with long text passages. She does however hold a bachelors degree and is an elected member of the local council, running the town so to speak I guess. For a lot of the University and preceding college work, we worked together to help her achieve it and one of the ways we did it was for me to read research, background reading and Assignments needing proof-reading onto tape. It was an invaluable tool and surprisingly good for stress as well, if your getting to hear the voice of someone you care deeply about. You can also do it comfortably in a bath, (aromatherapy or not). If your partner can't put things on tape/cd for you, you can buy an excellent range of audio books from Amazon and probably most decent book stores.
Give it a go, you may be surprised...
Oh, and don't foget to stop, close your eyes, take a deep breath and just chill with yourself every once in a while. It's amazingly easy to lose track of who you are and whats important in the hustle and bustle of a manic work life.
Take Care...


Rhys
Thought out... Maybe,
Opinionated... Probably
But it is only an opinion!

 

[BJCooperIT]

Books on tape are a godsend! I listen on my long commute... cannot even remember the last time I turned the radio on. I am currently addicted to old british mystery novels. I highly recommend them to anyone who has a commute longer than a few miles.

^{Everywhere is within walking distance if you have the time. ~Steven Wright}
Consultant/Custom Forms & PL/SQL - Oracle 8.1.7 - Windows 2000
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[AIXSPadmin]

BJCooper... you said your long commute. How long? I started a new job and have not moved yet, so I have a long commute too. Just curious what your commute time is.

 

[BJCooperIT]

I work in a city that is 150 miles (2 1/2 hours) from home and I stay there during the week. From the room I rent it takes about 40 minutes to get to/from the client site each day. I have been averaging about 450 miles a week. Glad to hear you got a new job. I hope it turns out to be everything you were looking for.

^{Everywhere is within walking distance if you have the time. ~Steven Wright}
Consultant/Custom Forms & PL/SQL - Oracle 8.1.7 - Windows 2000
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[AIXSPadmin]

The job is only 120 miles from my home, so I have been making the commute daily (1.5 hour drive, each way.)

 

[Zelandakh]

Thanks to all contributors on this thread - I've discovered I'm burning out.

I used to commute 2 hours each way each day and was tired but happy. Now I'm around 30 minutes away but start early, work through, work late when I'm not seeing my son, work from home, work weekends. In my spare time I solve computer problems for everyone else.

I guess I have to switch off too. I just gotta ask the leeches to stop calling through the evenings for free tech support....

BJ - you can't listen to audio books on a motorbike, but it sure busts the stress. Can you cut down the commute time in any way? Change rented accom to being nearer the office or home - either cutting midweek or weekend travelling.

 

[SF0751]

"Why make it worse by having some absurdly long drive to your workplace from home?" I guess it all depends on what you define as an "absurdly long drive". I live 45 minutes from my office, and I wouldn't move closer.

I use the drive into work to listen to the news from my local NPR station, and to enjoy the sunrise. The ride home is used to unwind, and I'll usually put the top down if the weather is nice (which it normally is, since I'm in southern Texas). Living any closer to work would be me in a fairly large city; by living farther out, I'm in a quiet rural area.

And - I'd rather drive for 45 minutes, and actually be MOVING the entire time; as opposed to living withing 10-15 miles, and being stuck in traffic for 45 minutes, creeping along!



Susan
Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer. - Mark Twain

 

[BJCooperIT]

The area around the client site is mostly industrial and not very safe. I chose to rent a room in a private home that was in a secure neighborhood closer to the interstate. Sometimes I think everything in this town is at least 30 minutes from everything else!

^{Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw}
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[MDXer]

I know with me the thing that is hardest and makes me feel like I am burning out is the isolation and travel. I spend 5 days a few hundred miles from home. I catch early morning Monday flights to work and late Friday nights home. I have always been very family oriented so the seperation form my wife and son make it difficult. I don't know about others out there but I find the hardest part is the lack of peers at my clients. In my experience consultants seem to work with people / for clients who usually have little or no experience or understanding in the area a consultant works in. There is a lot to be said for being around people who speak the same things you do or think the same way. I find this my largest frustration and pushes me towards burnout. I always seem to get Clients with unrealistic expectations and the unwillingness to listen.

I'm not quite sure how to battle this. I know I am starting to see if there are user groups/clubs in my Clients area so I can interact with people of my skills set. Being a Developer in MS Technologies working in a part of the country that is Very ANTI MS I find it hard.


Paul

 

[BJCooperIT]

PCorley:
I definitely agree that isolation both from family and peers is difficult. I work in a lab with users - no techies in sight, so I rely on Tek-Tips for the feeling of being with co-workers. Family communication takes place by quick e-mails and long phone conversations.

All:
Thanks for the support. My contract might be coming to an end in July. I am not sure what will follow, but since I survived this contract I know I can survive the next.

^{Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw}
Consultant/Custom Forms & PL/SQL - Oracle 8.1.7 - Windows 2000
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[tychochip]

I have been experiencing EXTREME burnout, too The semiconductor industry is so precarious right now, the pressure at work has really increased I found a web site that actually helps with this It's called "Overcoming Job Burnout, Self Paced Instruction" It's a really good site with a program to help you overcome this horrible situation It's been quite helpful to me I hope it works for you too,

 

[Lozbinator]

tychochip, could you please provide us with a URL so we can have a look at this site?

Thanks.

 

[sitatex]

Hi Zeelandakh

Yes after reading your reply , i do find myself in similar situation as yours .. after moving close to my work place , found that my earlier travel time was replaced by spending more time in office and was on 24 hours on call support during week-days (after office hours) and week-ends

--- Yes I have got the leeches off my back now as a desperate measure and going off for a break for some time to re-arrange my priorities in life , a little unusal way but had to do take a call on the same

Yes Church and reading non -tech books(Better Yourself Books) /music helps a lot

Cheers

 

[AnanthaP]

"I have been put in an impossible position to achieve a relatively simple task that circumstances prevent me from doing. ...".

(1) So what are the circumstances? If you can, change them (at work).

(2) You seem to have mixed feelings about your boss.

"I know about documenting the problems and my boss is well-informed of the situation here. ..."

and later on

"On this contract "work" often equates to looking busy because the client has me "handcuffed" as far I getting real work done. ..."

First resolve this. It will help you decide whehter to get your boss's help in solving the problem. In any case, can you try to move the customer up the value chain. Or if not, imagine if you can how you would do it. It might give you the sols to the current probs.

End.

 

[BJCooperIT]

As I stated upfront, the circumstances of this contract had been discussed in some detail elsewhere (see thread655-526769 and thread655-504713). This thread was intended to simply address the topic of burnout.

^{Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw}
Consultant/Custom Forms & PL/SQL - Oracle 8.1.7 - Windows 2000