I have been in the same job (with a promotion so very slightly different) for almost 5 years now. This has definitely been my longest job, by at least 2.5 years 😅 but I have found that the nature of the role is really one of those things where days don’t tend to be the same and all that jazz, but recently I have found myself getting that itchy feet feeling.
At the same time, the job is getting busier and deadlines have been coming faster with more last minute change than there had been previously.
I am definitely on the edge of burnout or maybe I’m in “functional burnout” or whatever that is… anyone else find that boredom or feeling like you need to move onto the next thing contributes to burnout?
Also I started meds back in November so not sure if that is contributing. I have been insanely productive since starting meds but I feel like every day is a hyperfocus day now and I am not sure if that is making things worse.
And if anyone is curious I am a finance business partner working with a sales leadership team, it’s quite interesting really but I am definitely in need of moving onto something else.
People keep telling me I am driven but I don’t think it is that so much as a constant need for stimulation/novelty that drives me forward. Somehow I have made myself important in my organisation and now I have regrets 🤣🤣
I hate to say it, but i am having trouble squaring the statements that you’re burning out, but the job is quite interesting, and the work is varied and you’re super productive. Maybe I need to hear more? Can you expand on the feelings of burnout? How is your boss? How do you like your coworkers? Does the work feel important or valuable to you?
Having fun with something and being forced to do the job of 3 people isn’t that tough to imagine, I’ve seen it happen often.
The work itself is interesting in that there are new issues, questions or commercial options that people come up with more often than not. So the role itself I like, but the burnout bit…
For the last few months the number of things our rather small team has been asked to do has roughly doubled, so I am working longer hours and taking fewer breaks. I have been having dreams/nightmares about work, having anxiety when I’m not at work because I am thinking about things that haven’t been done, unable to sleep, appetite changes, frustration and snapping at my family, etc. I know I haven’t been in the best place mentally during this time. All of these things have clouded over the elements of the job I enjoy, because instead of being able to think about those or let my mind wander around to consider various options I am forced to make snap decisions and work on outputs instead of the thinking bits of the job.
My boss tries to support but he is under the same pressure and can’t do much about it. My coworkers are okay.
It feels important and I don’t know if that is the problem or not. Everything I do contributes to the top line of a large business but really my actions are a drop in the ocean of a vast and complex system and I am annoyed with myself for letting it get to me this much.
You need to simply cut back, it’s not your business, why would you sacrifice extra hours and your relationships. i have been in your position of doing the extra work, but it was for career advancement and wanting to get to a place where I make enough to live comfortably, once there, there is no reason to go above and beyond to the extent of burning yourself out, take some time out, recover, then do what’s required, do your 40 hours then turn your brain off and focus on yourself and family
I’m undiagnosed, uneducated, but I haven’t held a job longer than a year after 12 years in the workforce. I lose interest in the job a month in, usually right after training and getting a grip of it.
All the Jobs I’ve had were min. wage entry level junk. I haven’t worked anywhere that had vertical movement. These types of job are mind numbing, the culture is awful, and it’s borderline slavery.
I don’t self-medicate with alcohol, caffiene, or smoking, as nearly all of my colleagues do. Therefore, I don’t tolerate things that are “normal”.
I think everything we are forced to do will result in burnout. Work, chores, homework. If we have to do it to get by, it’s going to burn us out at some point. You can either cope by self-medicating, or find a new job that sounds interesting to you.
In many states, work is at-will. You are allowed to leave at any time. If there is a better opportunity for you (not just financially, but mentally) take it.
I agree, being forced to do something, or the monotony of daily life is a killer.
I’m not in the states, but definitely looking into options.
Best of luck
People keep telling me I am driven but I don’t think it is that so much as a constant need for stimulation/novelty that drives me forward.
Pretty sure that is what driven means.
Meds didn’t remove the feeling that I should be doing something else, although it certainly helped with focusing on the stuff I enjoyed at work. Made huge strides, but after a decade the people based problems have tended to stick in memory stronger than the positives and I’m getting burned out on people as opposed to the work. Not even terrible people, well meaning people who just have unrealistic wants and needs and too much to do.
Even with meds I can get overwhelmed when there are too many competing goals and I know there isn’t enough time to get them all done. Too much energy is spent trying to mitigate the fallout from the ones that don’t work out.
Is it? I feel like people think I know where I am going but it’s not that… I just don’t like feeling stuck
Even with meds I can get overwhelmed when there are too many competing goals and I know there isn’t enough time to get them all done. Too much energy is spent trying to mitigate the fallout from the ones that don’t work out.
This is really well put, good way to unravel some of that stuff going on in my head. Thanks
Is it? I feel like people think I know where I am going but it’s not that… I just don’t like feeling stuck
Yeah, being driven is about the drive to do things. Often it is tied to overcoming challenges and might have overall goals, but the main thing is actively doing things and having initiative.
In some cases there is a plan, and that is the common one given for people in publicly visible or leadership positions. Like someone driven to succeed at business and whatnot. But there are also driven people who respond to their environment without having a set goal.
Someone might be driven to be a firefighter, but without a plan to become chief or move up the ranks. They are just driven to help people.
I am 8 years into my current position, and 20+ in my industry and the only thing that keeps me going has been the constant evolution of the technology and workflows. If you are starting to feel burnout along with that itch, then maybe you dont need a new job but some different focus. Right now I am working with my manager to slightly reduce my primary focus and expand into some other areas where my unique skills and ADHD can be put to more productive use. We are always looking for new markets, workflows, and products but we never have enough time to dedicate someone to exploring that, so I am trying to build it into my job description.
As long as I keep learning new stuff, playing with new things, and pushing the boundaries I can handle the rest of the job.
Yes… I know exactly what you mean!
I had tried to carve out a Lean/Process improvement role for myself but it didn’t work out.
Looks like I might get to move into M&A soon which would be good though, new stuff to learn and try and all that jazz.
Thanks for the insights !!
