3 ms·

It may be harsh to sum up this article in a single word, but I recognise this as "burnout". It's not uncommon, and it affects people in different ways, but is

• jmduke 14y ago
  What you see as 'burnout' I see as closure. Don accomplished pretty much everything he wanted to, and more. Why continue running laps around a familiar track when you could go someplace else?
  • donmelton 14y ago
    Closure — that's actually a very good way to put it. I didn't feel burned out. Just tired and complete. But I was very fortunate to have the means to retire. Many who experience burnout don't have that choice. Which is another reason there's such churn in this business. As a manager, one thing I always watched for were the signs of burnout. I always said I spent way more time coaching people to pace themselves than to work harder.
    • at-fates-hands 14y ago
      I would agree, this is more closure than burnout. I had the same thing happen to me with sports. I played soccer at a very high level (semi-pro) and although I knew I would never make the pros, I already accomplished what I set out to do. After so many years of working hard and finally getting there, you wonder what else you want to do now you've surpassed your own goals. For me, it was the same thing, I just walked away from the sport. My life as a soccer player was complete and it was time to move on. I can already tell in 5 years, your mind will never cast doubts over your decision. Few people get to the level you were at and leave without a few doubts in their mind. Kudos to you for leaving with a clear conscious and mind.
    • jusben1369 14y ago
      Don. How big was your team?
      • donmelton 14y ago
        Not that big. About 140 I think. My admin would know for sure.
• mbateman 14y ago
  Burnout is accompanied by a drop in ambition. But not all drops in ambition indicate burnout.