There are two kinds of programmers, my colleague once said. The first kind is the one who views programming as a smart career move. The second kind is the one who has the passion for it. I think I belong to the first breed of programmers. I enjoy programming sometimes. Sometimes I even get so involved in a project. And I missed software research and development when I was in law school. But I don’t think that is enough to qualify my for the second breed of programmers because I think that I can still be professionally content without programming and reading scientific papers.
When you are in a career just because it is a good move for you financially, I think either of two things might happen. You might grow to love your job. Or sooner or later, you burn out.
Since I belong to the first breed of programmers, I am afraid that I might be burning out. The signs are there. I feel tired when I work. I get easily distracted. I make excuses. Or do I just feel overwhelmed and daunted by the job responsibility and difficulty? Or is my personal life messing with my professional life? I feel I am underperforming and I feel that no longer have that drive to do well.
It has been a tough 7 months for me. I need to clear my head.
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July 25, 2007 at 8:57 pm
Ace
It is true. Sometimes people make choices not exactly on what they know they should be but on what they think is more practical in facing the realities of life. A dillema most common with artists.
It is true. Burning out comes easily when..as you have said in a career just because it is a good financial move. I think ‘burning out’ happens as well to those who love their jobs and have so much passion for it.
I take my case. Since i was a kid, i’ve always had this passion for architecture…not only the buildings per se but everything relative to it, the people who uses it, the culture, materials, etc…i love drawing but i wasn’t as good as a gifted one but my passion brought me to a level where i can say that i can die for it…project or no project..i will be an architect and practice it in any form. Relative to life’s realities, i displaced myself for the sake of the family’s financial security and future…leaving behind a practice at a level i can say is ‘comortable’ enough…so starting in a foreign land means starting with scratch…and yes i did what is practical..working odd jobs for survival. Anyway…the passion was so strong that i’ve always think of the present as temporary but necessary..and of course directing myself (in gradual steps) to my goal..which is to get back to my profession.
Either way, ‘Burning Out’ happens because we are only mortals..and it’s not the mind which is really tired but the body. If you think there is too much workload in our head..all you have to do is empty it.
What I usually do is just step back and have a smoke…then have a good smile…and get a massage.
July 26, 2007 at 2:58 pm
Lisette
A regret of mine was pursuing a degree in commerce/finance instead of media/communications because it was the economically rational decision to make. So now stuck doing accounting/finance =(
Have committed myself to studying again – but this time I’m following my heart!
Hopefully you’ll find something to ignite your passion – or maybe you already have…
July 27, 2007 at 3:53 am
himantayon
take a vacation.. it helps sometimes
..
July 28, 2007 at 3:40 am
ofel808
Thanks guys.
Himantayon, you are right. I need a vacation- not any work-related trip, but an honest-to-goodness vacation.
A massage is a good idea Ace. There is a massage place right across where I live. And I never go there!
Good for you Sette, that you’re following your heart, career-wise. I still am finding my calling, I guess. But slowly, I am resurfacing from my job-related angst. I have just been given a challenging project in the field I like. And I am never one to back down from this kind of challenge! =)
January 14, 2008 at 3:45 pm
Breecorse
Make peace, not war!