Burned Out? Try this.
There are lots of way to recovered from being burned out. Physical activity is near the top of my list, as is a beer and a hockey game. Another good way is to direct your brain in a different direction for a while. Reading about something new works great.
I’m always torn between reading a book about a new technology that could potentially further my career and a book about something totally cool and fascinating, but unrelated to my field. There are many times when I find a book that satisfies both criteria, like some of the books I’ve read on cryptography (The Code Book, by Simon Singh is fantastic). I’ve also been reading a lot of books focussed on Biology lately too. I find it fascinating that the process of natural selection, by definition, can always find the best solution to a problem, given a specific toolset, and enough time. Often though, the books I’m interested in reading have nothing to do with my field.
I often fall into the habit of reading programming book after programming book, and I find that after a while I start to skim, just trying to finish the book as quickly as I can, which is a terrible way to learn. It’s not a lack of interest in the subject matter, but a desire to let a different part of my brain take the reigns from time to time. It’s been shown that sleep can actually help your brain learn a concept more than staying up all night reading about it. I think that letting your mind switch gears for a little while does the same sort of thing.
My Conclusion? When you feel burned out, find a book that totally fascinates you. Read a bit of it every day, even in the time you set a side for work. It will rejuvenate your mind and make you work harder.
Pingback: Tweets that mention Burned Out? Try this. – Chris Mallinson -- Topsy.com
Nice post. I don’t read that many books but I do like to redirect the mind to something different when I am feeling burnt out. I’ve tried recreational lock picking, mountain biking, snowboarding, and archery. All are more physical activities but they help release my mind.
I will try your release and read a book. Thanks.
P.S. A List Apart posted on burning out a while back, check it out.
http://www.alistapart.com/articles/burnout/
Thanks, that’s a great article from ALA. Recreational lock picking? Is that what they call it now? :-)
As for the physical activity, I think it’s the best thing, hands down. I started biking to work recently, and find that even though it cuts half an hour out of my day, I arrive far more willing to sit down and concentrate, and the addition of an audiobook on my iPod on the way kills two birds with one stone.