Every professional programmer encounters several challenging software development projects throughout their career. Challenges are generally healthy and a frequent requirement of the job. Nonetheless, all programmers are ultimately human beings and they need a break. A balanced lifestyle is integral for survival; an idle mind or an over-occupied one are both equally hazardous. As a project manager or lead programmer, you may have worked on a project that killed you (theoretically speaking). If you’ve never gone through such a devastating experience, thumbs up to you!

Reasons and Symptoms

Lengthy projects with unrealistic deadlines and complex requirements are the main reason for Programmer’s Burnout. Programmers often give in to completing a product on a certain date despite lack of clarity, under desperate circumstances. Once the project has been thoroughly dissected and interpreted, they realize the death sentence they brought upon themselves. This article will focus on how to identify when you’re nearing a burnout or have already entered it; also how to escape it for the sake of everything! It develops slowly and then suddenly you’re past your breaking point, undergoing a major meltdown.

Programmers burn out when they sacrifice themselves to work beyond personal limits. They tend to be like this when a project’s stakes are too high and the goals seem impossible. In times like this, the general motto is “Do or die”. Sadly, this resolution does not pay off and only makes things worse. Overworking the mind and body has a negative impact on health, and greatly reduces productivity. The scenario starts with emotional + physical fatigue, alongside concurrent thoughts of self doubt.

As time goes by, your attention span declines and takes down your performance with it. In the middle of a burnout, the programmer’s depression and anxiety levels are over the top. Lack of proper meals and sleep lead to dizziness, headaches, horrific mood swings and more severe health problems, depending on the individual’s medical history. It is human nature to forget that health comes first; nonetheless, nothing else is worth sacrificing it. Project managers don’t realize that they’re doing no good to themselves, their team or the company/client they’re working for.

Taking Control

The occasional sweaty palms, heart racing and dry throat is quite normal. However, when your mental and physical state starts to deteriorate, it is time to take a deep breath and slow down. The first step towards taking control of your life is through identifying and accepting your limits. Some people are okay with working 10 hours a day, some can do 6 at best. Your colleague might appear energetic whilst coding 12 hours straight, while you could be losing consciousness at the beginning of the 7th.

Everyone has a different working capacity and energy level. A person that worked 2 hours could’ve done more work compared to another who put in 5 hours. Whatever the case, you must acknowledge your boundaries and declare them openly. It’s no shame if you need 8 hours of sleep, even if your co-worker says that 5 are plenty. Coding is a passion for every successful programmer, so it shall only be taken as far as it can be enjoyed. Over-selling yourself is futile and will only lead to an ocean of lies and disappointments. Be truthful about your capabilities, even if it means you won’t be getting a promotion.

It’s necessary to add a few extra-curricular activities to your day; this includes anything that makes you happy or feel relaxed. Whether it’s gaming, watching your favorite show, painting, cooking or something else – you’re allowed to make time for that. All these things help rejuvenate you mind and body, which will prove to be extremely useful while taking on development projects. Nutritious meals and exercise will further boost your inner strength and confidence. As you can see, a little fun and nurturing actually helps improve your productivity at work.

Coming Out Alive

It’s never too late to get out of a situation that’s killing you. All you need to tell yourself is that you won’t let your passion die and let down everyone around you. You have to be transparent with the people you are answerable to. It will take some guts, but you’ve got to confront them with the reality. Just keep calm and prepare to negotiate; even take a day or two off if you need it. When it’s evident that you can’t deliver anywhere near the deadline, just admit it rather than dragging it to the last minute and ruining things for everybody.

Be adamant on what you know is practical; give your opponent a “take it or leave it” ultimatum. You won’t be satisfying them in any way, so it’s best to lose with dignity. However, if you make a strong case, chances are high that you’ll get what you want. You just need solid reasons for the extra time or resources you are asking for. It also helps if you’re polite and patient during the discussions. Any reasonable boss or client will understand and accommodate you for their own interests. They’ve invested a lot in you for their project, so hopefully they won’t compromise on quality by rushing it.

If your claims are true, it’s obvious that giving the project to someone else will not accelerate the final outcome. Hence, the client will agree to lend you some time instead of starting from scratch with another party. Before you make an argument, talk it out with your team and exchange opinions. The more people on your side, the more convincing your narrative will become. The worst case scenario is losing the client and maybe your job – even so, hang in there. There’s no project that’s worth your life, so be thankful for making it out alive.