A Civic Technologist's Practice Guide

A while ago, I spoke with a civic tech colleague whose yearslong stretch on the same project had been especially taxing. He had an overwhelming sense of just not wanting to, in general. Furthermore, he had taken short vacations—the kind of time off that would have restored his mojo in the past—and had returned to work only to find the same don’t want to waiting for him. This unshakable don’t want to is the hallmark of burnout, and it may even escalate to can’t, especially if work challenges are combined with other stresses.