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So even when some IT folks have jobs, they're dissatisfied. Everyone, including me, has witnessed call-center staff telling callers, "The computers are down; try again later," even though several workstations were available. Yes, my IT department lives to be your department's scapegoat! Other frustrations include repetitive task syndrome. Let's face it, once you've configured firewall No. 8,308, it's hard to get excited about configuring firewall No. 8,309.

Tough times in the tech world may mean fewer jobs, but for those of us still fortunate enough to be employed, it means picking up the slack and listening to management tell us how lucky we are to still be employed. Usually, that translates into bulk (and typically unpaid) overtime. I've spoken with overtime inmates who wonder if they'd see their kids more if they became emergency-room doctors.

For those of us in management, hard times involve pasting on a hopeful smile before walking into the staff meeting to tell folks, "No, help is not on the way, but things will get better soon." That heavy construction job is looking better and better.

But let's get real. If lessons from movies really applied, then, as Regarding Henry tells us, there's nothing wrong with being a jerky lawyer that a frontal lobotomy won't cure. Oh. Bad example. But you get the point.

If we don't run screaming from IT, what do we do? First, recognize burnout for what it is, and remember, all jobs have downsides. Then ask yourself: Do I choose the "don't let the door hit you on the way out" option, or do I stay in IT and try to make it better?

While it's hard to be an optimist in a profession where entertaining the worst-case-scenario is essential, try looking at what's possible rather than what's not possible. For example, if you're doing the same darn thing every day, volunteer to do something new. If you're good at it you'll end up doing more of it, and those who don't volunteer will end up doing more of the same old stuff.

Consider going back to school and continuing your education. Not only will you have less time to stew, you'll also get smarter and expand your horizons to include new opportunities. Think of my friend Ian, the bartender-hopeful. Since we last spoke, he seriously considered his limited earning potential as a bartender -- now he's boning up on Java to widen his career options.

The U.S. Army's policy of job rotation every few years seems to keep folks on their toes -- and too distracted by new duties to get burned out. While this model isn't always appropriate for civilian use, more of us should think about some kind of duty swap to escape mind-numbing tedium.