What do you do?

When your burned out on your career. I have been doing the paint and body thing exclusively for years now(18)and in the last few months become very burnt out. It's getting to the point I cant sleep because I dread going to work. Its not really this job in particular as much as it is this line of work. Only one other time I felt this burned out I went in to management and became a paint shop supervisor at a Luxury Motor Coach manufacturer , but it was very stressful and I left for other employement after two years. Now I am repairing and painting Semi trucks and its very hard work especially in this damn heat.Anyway,its all I have ever done really so I feel trapped. Anybody ever had to "fall in love" with your line of work again. And if so,how did you do it?

I have about a 5 year tolerance for my job.
I have been at this one for 5.5 and that is a record.
I am going back to school and getting an MBA so as to have training outside my current field (engineering). I took 5 years off and owned my own business, everyone should do that at least once in their life...
I guess I have no other comforting words except to say I feel your pain.
KC

I have done landscaping, Built custom Salt water fish tanks, Weapon simulators, sold cars, and now I am working at Ford. I am a mechanic and I love what I do.
chris

I would like to go back to school. If I can afford it. Last I heard finacial aid programs were getting cut. I think I would still enjoy painting as a hobby,something to do on the side for myself or for others on a limited basis. But it sucks doing it all day everyday and then coming home and doing it all night. I have college credits in computer science and 3d animation so I may go back and finish that if I can afford it. And Chris,if you are really 19 years old then I would say thats a hell of a lot of work experience at your age. I cross trained at one job to be a mechanic early in my career and I hated it.

Look at drafting. Allot of the drafter's now model everything in 3D and you only have to have an associate's degree / diploma in it to get a job.
Still lotsa financial aid now, might be cut in future, but you can get at least a Stratford Loan that you do not pay interest on or make payments on until 6 months after your out of school.
No financial aid for graduate degrees though
KC

If you want to do some 3D modelling, Zmoddeller2 is a free program that was used for NASCAR Heat development. I was into that for about 6yrs, editting and creating Mods/textures. But I never got paid for it. I dedicated a lot of time to it. I did go back and do most of the older carsets and I did an updated Craftsman Truck Series for the 2006 season.

themodsquad.info

NASCAR Heat editting site. Yeah that was a PC game that came out in 1999 and it is still being ran in series and online racing weekly. I'm known as rpm750 on that site as well.

lol, Yes I'm 19, turn 20 next month

Wow, this is an old post. Guess I'm late but ok. I paint. I dropped outta high school to learn my dream job
I have painted cars, I did production a long time. I burned out. I have worked dealership and private insurance only joints.
I thought I hated what I used to love . I learned to tattoo. 2 year apprenticeship. What a waste. Rather color sheet metal than ppl.
8years of smelly, rude drunks. I was painting cars when I got my current job. Now I do custom cabinets. I paint cars as a hobby. Much happier this way. I do kitchens during the day and my cars at night.

yes i found out working on cars is no fun for a living but if you do it on the side you dont seem to get burnt out as much . i switched jobs always done low voltage stuff . but had a job 4 years ago i was at and was doing 70 hours plus a week and just got completely burned out i finally took another job and most weeeks do 25 to 30 hours and get paid for 40. love t there even though the money isnt right but ive learned if you take the money you make balance it and pray daily things will come together and youll get by with puttting up just enough

My current job is stressful, don't get me wrong. But I have a really understanding boss. I can do whatever as long as it doesn't get in the way of shop jobs. If I could do aircooled all day, I would be all over it. Theres not enough cars or dedicated owners let to make what I make.

[quote="jamesmichael73" If I could do aircooled all day, I would be all over it. [/quote]
Best way to ruin a hobby is to make it your job!

New box at work

hly3rd wrote:

jamesmichael73 wrote: If I could do aircooled all day, I would be all over it.

Best way to ruin a hobby is to make it your job!

speakin from experience there Hank!??

vwtattooed wrote:

hly3rd wrote:

jamesmichael73 wrote: If I could do aircooled all day, I would be all over it.

Best way to ruin a hobby is to make it your job!

speakin from experience there Hank!??

Yep, two hobbies ruined. Not going to do the same with the dubs!

cook meth an grow water melon but i think the water melon is making my teeth fall out

I can now answer my own question. What I did was take care of the personal problems in my life aside from work. Payed off debt,refinanced some things etc. This took much of the weight off and allowed me to think clearly. I also re-connected with my artistic side and music which was great therapy. I discovered,your work always requires effort and responsibility,and if you are dogged with personal issues you spend much of your work day dwelling on them. Taking care of these issues has allowed me to love what I do again. I'm also much happier having my OWN business and a co-worker helping me get jobs done so it doesn't get overwhelming. I guess....sometimes when things a bothering us,we can identify the wrong source as the culprit. I can honestly say,I love what I do again. After all, im good at it,and it pays the bills.

i make aircraft alum. i melt it and add alloys and elements to strengthen it to aerospace grade then, cast it into ingots so it can be shipped off to be made into airplace structures. i work alot and its hot as balls but im happy to say i love and enjoy my job. work really isint work when you actually love your job.

International Buyer for a wheel engineering firm. I buy 25 inch material needed to manufacture wheels/wheel parts for earth movers, tele-handlers, etc. Most pieces I buy come from India, Sri Lanka, South America, China, etc. I've only been in this position since January of this year. Previously worked in Sales/Marketing at Pirelli Tire for 7 years. meh...

60andslow wrote:i make aircraft alum. i melt it and add alloys and elements to strengthen it to aerospace grade then, cast it into ingots so it can be shipped off to be made into airplace structures. i work alot and its hot as balls but im happy to say i love and enjoy my job. work really isint work when you actually love your job.

sounds like a good gig

its unique and 50ppl only work at my job. 50-83hrs a week sucks sometimes but i still love it.

Engineer... Whoo Whoo.
KC

ASBug wrote:Engineer... Whoo Whoo.
KC

Somebody has to keep "things" on (the) track!

I'm an industrial valve sales rep. My territory is the whole southeast and I travel at least a few days a week throughout the five lower states. I have recently started to let most of my customers know that I am into old vws so that possibly one day I can run across that one person that tells me they know where an old one is somewhere. So far all I have come across is a 77 that had been sitting under a tree since the 80's!

I work on Volkswagens and I love it.

bakertim2 wrote:I work on Volkswagens and I love it.

if this site had a "like" button...