I’ve been working in IT for 15 years. At one point I LOVED it. I would go home every day and do crazy IT projects at home along with stuff at work. Now in those past 15 years, I’ve gotten married had two children bought 3 houses. ( I only live in one and sold the other two not that rich lol just moved to new better towns). I feel I’ve lost my passion for it. After 7 grueling years as a Sr. System Admin at an insurance company, it totally burned me out. For the past 6 months, I’ve been working at a new company. Small family owned company about 800 employees and 1 large location and 8 small location. My boss is someone I worked for in the past and a friend great guy… and I have one helpdesk person under me. My title is a Network Manager which in turn really means Network Administrator/ System Administrator lol. I get paid well and the company is great and there is great technology here for me to thrive on and learn but for some reason my passion for it not there. I need some motivation or maybe a better way to handle projects and feel more like I’ve achieved goals. My boss is a great guy but has super ADHD he changes his ideas like he changes his underwear so its tough sometimes to stay on task lol.
Ok, that’s my rant… not even sure if I’m asking a question in that rant or just bitching lol but if anyone else has lost there passion for IT and can think of a way for me to spark it up again let me know.
Also, let me add I quit smoking Jan 1st and gained some weight and feel like garbage lately so this all could be a health thing that I need to get in shape and that’s why I’m so unmotivated lol
end rant.
43 Spice ups
I think it comes and goes for everybody now and then. I’m only 27 so my career isn’t nearly as long but I’ve certainly had days-weeks where I just wasn’t into it. For me lately I’ve been so focused on my house renovations and I just started a new position so It’s a refresh for me. My last position was a dead end due to having a boss that kept most things so close to the chest he didn’t like to give up an ounce of control and it drove me insane. My new position is much more specialized so I think mixing things up a bit and taking on new challenges often helps jolt interest again. I think having a hobby after leaving work helps too. With working on my house (mostly DIYer) I’ve found I really enjoy projects and carpentry so I honestly think if one day I’m done with I.T. I’d get into being a contractor…maybe. I originally used to be a tattoo artist when I got out of high school but I got burnt out on that because I did enjoy artwork and drawing but when I finally started doing it for money it really killed my passion for it because how people are.
I think sometimes just ranting about things and getting someone else’s perspective on the matter helps clear things up so hopefully you’ll find interest again soon.
It sounds like a goal for you could be to reign in your boss at your new position and perhaps let have him let you take the lead on some infrastructure changes/improvements which might spark the passion flame again.
2 Spice ups
I hear you on last boss my last 3 bosses “all fired by the way” were horrendous when it came to keeping things close to there chest. It drove me insane as well lol. Thats why I ended up leaving. It was funny also on my last day there prior to giving my 2 weeks notice they asked me if I wanted to be the IT Director. After dealing with 3 terrible bosses over three years. I told the CIO no… and moved on …now there in shambles but it servs them right,.
I’m going to chat with my boss and take the lead on more things i think he will listen. As for home project I have a few coming up lots of landscaping and Deck work and im a DIYer as well so it will prob help. Thanks 
1 Spice up
I never had a passion for IT when I started, and I still don’t. I don’t have any crazy projects at home, I don’t take my work home with me, and I am fine with this. I am still going to school for IT so I can improve my skills and to continue being an asset to my current employer. I have a strong work ethic and I know what I am doing, I never let those two things change. I am enthusiastic about the projects at work and I complete them on time or ahead of schedule. I use IT to pay my bills and provide for my family and I keep my passions outside of work so they don’t die and I can continue to love them.
13 Spice ups
glomo
(The Glorious Morris)
5
I had a passion back in the 90’s. Then working professionally started and the passion died along with the realities of life and business. Working for a Micromanager for instance. Working for beancoutners. I no longer have it. Doesn’t mean I don’t keep up with trends, and am still very good at it, I just “don’t care” about it anymore. It’s a means to an end. A tool to get the job done.
3 Spice ups
Damn wish I coulda done that… I grew up as a huge geek and loved all things IT… so thats what got me really into it my love for it… but once u do something for as long as I have it tennds to get old lol… think im just having a shit month lol
1 Spice up
edwin10dam
(Rusty Platter)
7
Your boss changes his underwear - that’s gotta be a plus.
7 Spice ups
wiesedj22
(David Wiese)
9
I am the same way as rayaustin2. IT pays my bills and allows me to spend time with my family. I don’t have a home setup like some do, just a media server. I spend enough time in front of screens at work so when I go home, especially on weekends, I go camping, golfing or just spending time outside. Do I put 100% in at work, yup, do I put time in at home when needed, sure. But for the most part when I leave the building for the day, I try as hard as I can to leave work at work.
@rayaustin2
5 Spice ups
Good thinking … I think after all these years I need to adopt that. My last job I was on all day and when i got home after like 6 i was logged in till at least 10pm working (lots of work and little staff). I think going forward im going to try and keep work at work and keep home at home…
1 Spice up
Do you think you’d have a passion for something else?
There’s nothing wrong with a career change if it makes you happier and still pays the bills.
1 Spice up
I applaud your work ethic and drive but by working after work you are just perpetuating the problems in America’s work culture. If you are working 40 hours a week at work and then another 30 hours a week at home but only being compensated for the work done while at work you are devaluing yourself and masking a problem that needs to be addressed with the staffing. This is also feeding the feeling of burning out that we are discussing, do the work that you were hired to do not the work that needs to be done.
4 Spice ups
I always wanted to be a race car driver or a professional juggler but those arnt gonna happen lol j/k…not really i have a strong passion for IT i do love and i love the work i do… just lately im in a slump and dont want do to it lol…
I know this isn’t for everyone, but what about teaching/mentoring?
Take those years of experience and passion and instill it into someone new to the field?
1 Spice up
More physical activity and working out can help feeling better over all which can lead to better focus etc.
2 Spice ups
You have, what is known in the industry as, a job. Do it and do it well. Take their money and go home and enjoy your family.
2 Spice ups
Those of us who got into IT because we love it face that challenge at some point, usually tied to burnout/overload. I used to be just like you, then had a job go sideways (last job) and it destroyed my drive to do more. I’m 20 years in IT, married 19 years this year, 3 kids… and up tip last week trapped in a job I had grown to hate. My greatest skills were turned against me, I can learn most anything quickly and am a proficient troubleshooter so every time there was a new deficiency I got thrown at it after everyone else gave up on it. Often the stuff was only marginally IT related.
I got burnt out, I stopped maintaining my home lab, I stopped trying new things, I lost that passion to know it all.
I replaced it with other things, I became a volunteer firefighter, I coached youth sports (hockey, curling, soccer, baseball, etc) I started turning wrenches on my own cars again… I turned to other things that fired up my mind. I also came to the conclusion that I just didn’t have the same amount of disposable energy I did before. Now my time after work is my time, I do what i want with it and it usually isn’t IT related anymore.
5 Spice ups
Sounds exaclly like what I went through. I think im slowly starting that. I picked upa guitar the other day. Yeah ive never played but why not try and learn… think i need to throw allot of exercise in the mix as well and more time with the kids…
2 Spice ups
I would seriously die if I bought a Harley i drive to fast and stupid as it is. I did however look in the garage the other day and realize I have a brand now bike I never ever use… should prob start hitting the road a bit with that.
3 Spice ups
