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Captain Code Junior Member Posts: 3 From: Registered: 02-02-2001 |
Hey guys. I am totally burned out. I have been in software development since around 1992... I have done lots of stuff. Mostly C++ on Win32, GDI, DirectX & Direct3D, COM & ATL, you name it. I even worked on a video game thing at ImagiNation Networks called CyberPark (it's all gone now...). And I also did a lot of work for the professional recording industry- coding custom GUIs for a neat digital mixing console (used at Skywalker Ranch and other places). Anyway, that is not supposed to be impressive or anything. I just wanted to explain that I *used* to think that if I was just doing the right kind of programming (games, music/movie industry, etc.) that I would enjoy it more. Well maybe I did, but not anymore. Out of boredom, I decided to make a website. That was fun for a while, but is more of a money pit than anything else. I dunno. I am just plain worn out writing code for the business / secular world. It is so totally uninspiring and boring. So now what do I do? I have been praying a LOT for guidance... so I am praying and waiting and just trying to hang in there... Anyone else ever have this problem? Have any experience, strength & hope to share with the "group" ? Seriously, I am at a crossroads right now. I'm at the point that I would be willing to head off to cambodia to be a missionary if only I could really hear God calling me to do that... I just want to do something with significance to the Lord. (I might add that I am almost 30, happily married and father of 2 kids (7 and 3)). Maybe it just happens to everyone at some point... -Alan
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Krylar Administrator Posts: 502 From: MD, USA Registered: 03-05-2001 |
Heya CC, I *totally* understand the boredom of the industry concept. I've been in this industry for over 10 years and am yawning a lot lately. Interesting that you worked on Cyberpark...our paths most certainly have crossed (if even only team-wise). I was Producer and then the Director of Content Development/Executive Producer at Engage games online for over about 3 years and we were looking into Cyberpark for a while there. *Maybe* your boredom is an indication that's it's time to try something new. I think it *may* have something more to do with the fact that you're about to hit 30 and are probably thinking "what have I really done with my life other than make games?" I had that revelation too...which is one reason I started up this site Here's a little trick that worked for me. Sit down and think about the last 30 years and look at the cool things you did and the not-so-cool things. Write down what you're most happy about doing. Then picture yourself at 35 doing the same exercise about the years between now and then. What will you be writing? The idea is to write the stuff ahead of time, so it turns into just a review. If that includes a mission trip to Cambodia, that's cool...just remember that the Lord has also intrusted you with a family and they need to be a major part of that consideration too I'll stop preaching. I just have been there too so I thought I'd tell what I went through. God bless! -Krylar ------------------ |
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Krylar Administrator Posts: 502 From: MD, USA Registered: 03-05-2001 |
VERY cool site, btw! You should post it up in the links section here. Did you code all that stuff and do the graphics and such? It's nice -Krylar ------------------ |
Briant Member Posts: 742 From: Stony Plain, Alberta, Canada Registered: 01-20-2001 |
Hey Captain, I think most have had that feeling to some degree, but I am amazed at how similar your story is to my own. I have to run right now, but I'll write later. Bri |
joeG Member Posts: 90 From: OK, US Registered: 01-20-2001 |
I only lasted about 3/4 of a year before I became burnt out with a project that involved writing Perl Fortran parsers. There were several factors, like the project being too big for one person (yours truly). No end in sight + not very many new things being learned = no motivation. And the bad thing about it is that all the motivation from my general motivation reserve seemed to be sucked up by that job. Even motivation for school-related work (hence bad grades *shivers*). Hmmm, some things in life are just plain unhealthy I guess. And that was one of them. However, I currently feel motivated to do a bunch of designing for a real-time (can't even call it a game engine, it's so multi-purpose) engine of mine. Even now it's easier to do my homework and spend time with God (another bad thing that results from unhealthy obligations) since I am no longer working at that job. If you really are seeking God, He'll be leading you where He wants you to go. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths. Why do I have the feeling that I am second to no one on these boards in regards to age (younger than everyone else)? joeG |
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cyber Junior Member Posts: 1 From: knoxville, tn, usa Registered: 01-28-2001 |
I know how you feel. I have been in a similar industry for 3 years. On average i work about 50+ hours a week. I find it very to be burned out. I still enjoy the work I do, which involves a variety of system administration functions, yet for personal projects, I do find it very difficult to work a lot of them. Write now i am trying to get an IP Subnetter program written in perl. The trick i found that works for me is try to take a break, dont do anything above and beyond your job requirements for a couple of days, and go home exactly at 5pm (or try to) when you are feeling burnt out. This seems to help me somewhat, when i really start to feel burned out. I just pray to God to so that He will give me enough time to accomplish these tasks. |
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Phillip Martin Member Posts: 56 From: Yeppoon, QLD, Australia Registered: 01-31-2001 |
Every programmer I know gets this at least every now and then. I seem to go in some sort of pattern. For a few months, I'm really keen on doing some programming at home, and then I lose interest, and then a while later I get interested again.... Lately at work, I've been doing low level API design with a couple of people, and its taking a while, so I don't really feel like doing low level stuff at home. I've been trying to get a 3D game off the ground at home, and its taking quite a bit of energy, and I'm starting to lose interest in that. When I get that way, I just try and get some variety happening. My wife and I are starting to do some serious budgeting for the long term, so I thought, why not try and write an app for that. So I've been doing that and its been going great. I'm enthused and interested. Once that gets near to completion, I'll probably be interested in 3D programming again. So basically whenever I really don't feel like doing something, I normally don't, and try something different instead until I do feel like doing it. I draw sometimes, do long stints of bible reading. Just something to break the monotony. I've been feeling a great deal of eagerness for being involved with the church and the lord more, so I'm finding that much more attractive than finding another program to write. I'm really looking forward to the coming years being more involved. I can't wait. Basically, God's guiding me away from what I used to do to something thats most likely a great deal better. Phillip Martin |
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Captain Code Junior Member Posts: 3 From: Registered: 02-02-2001 |
Thanks everyone for your thoughtful responses. Krylar, I really appreciated your insight and the "little trick" -- it has helped me gain some valuable insight. Alos, my pastor recommended a book called "Half-Time: Moving from Success to Significance" (or somethign like that) which I have been reading - it has been a great help. So I am slowly coming up with some new direction... nothing too radical (no Cambodia On a different note, Krylar, that's pretty neat that you knew about Cyberpark. I worked in ImagiNation's Burlingame, CA office (not the one near Sierra Online). I ended up leaving about 1 month prior to their closing down (I heard there was a technology buyout by Microsoft). About the CC site, Thanks for the compliment. I did all of it *except* for the graphics (I paid someone to do them - actually 2 people worked together, a cartoonist and a computer-artist). So thanks again everyone-- it means a lot. |
