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How do you stay creatively fulfilled in a technical role like software engineering, especially when working on projects that aren’t personally exciting?

I'm really curious about how people in tech stay motivated and avoid feeling overwhelmed. How do you keep enjoying your work when you're dealing with tough deadlines, bugs, or long hours? What helps you not burn out?

career engineering computer-science engineer software software-engineering worklifebalance codinglife avoidburnout creativeengineer developerlife job-satisfaction
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Cole’s Answer

The #1 thing for me is to always have a passion project or side hustle! Even if my "day job" doesn't excite me 100%, I can look forward to recharging and flexing creative muscles in other places. While time management can definitely be a struggle, if it truly motivates you, then you'll find a way to make time :)
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Shivam’s Answer

Hi Olena! In my personal experience, software engineering can be incredibly exciting especially when you take a holistic view of the role. You're not just writing code, you're actively contributing to high-level and low-level design discussions, participating in architectural change reviews, and engaging in agile ceremonies like scrum calls, sprint planning, backlog refinement, retrospectives, and more.
You’re also part of peer reviews, handling code deployments, giving demos and presentations to stakeholders, contributing to documentation, participating in hackathons, and engaging in volunteering events and mentorship programs. Sometimes, you might even take part in the hiring process, adding to the growth and culture of your team.
At the same time, setting timelines and managing expectations are key to delivering work efficiently and effectively. You may occasionally be assigned bugs or projects that don’t immediately spark your interest, but try to see the bigger picture. The impact your work can have through successful delivery! That sense of contribution can be incredibly fulfilling. Of course, there will be times when you feel stuck, and that's okay. The most important thing is to communicate early and clearly when you're blocked or facing challenges. Identifying and resolving dependencies quickly ensures the team can keep moving forward together. Hope this helps!

Shivam recommends the following next steps:

Get a 360 degree view of software engineering role
Understand the impact metrics on the assigned projects
Have a clear communication with the project stakeholders
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Irwin’s Answer

I would also recommend finding mentors within your organization or company that you can confide in about the work that you do . Often times , burnout and long hours stem from you either being stuck on some particular problem trying your best to figure it all out alone, but definitely leveraging the expertise of those more senior can alleviate some road blocks and cause you to spend less time on one thing.

I think its also important to create a healthy balance/ separation between work and your personal life. Set healthy boundaries and this might look like having a set time each day where its all hands off from work and you can now take part in other activities that you enjoy; whether it be a hobby ( ie sports, cooking, binge watching shows), side projects, reading etc. During this time really try to not think about the ongoing/ unresolved problems that you have waiting for you at work. This break away from constant working allows you to come back more refreshed and even boosts your productivity.
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Cuauhtemoc’s Answer

Hi Olena

It is difficult to find a job that perfectly aligns with our personality. However, it is possible to find a way to related to the project. Here are some things that you can try;

Find small ways to innovate:
Even if the project itself isn't thrilling, look for opportunities to introduce new techniques, tools, or approaches. This can keep your work interesting and help you grow as a developer.

Set personal goals:
Create your own milestones and challenges within the project. This could be learning a new programming language, optimizing a piece of code, or improving your problem-solving skills.

Collaborate and share ideas:
Engaging with colleagues can spark creativity.

Work on side projects: (my favorite)
Having a personal project that excites you can balance out the less interesting work tasks. It can also be a great way to experiment with new technologies and ideas.

Stay updated with industry trends:
Keeping an eye on the latest developments in software engineering can inspire you and provide new perspectives that you can apply to your work.

I hope that helps.
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Teklemuz Ayenew’s Answer

To keep your creativity alive in a technical role, dive into problem-solving by trying out new tools and making systems better. Keep learning through courses, contributing to open-source projects, and working on your own passion projects to stay excited and break the routine. Team up with colleagues to get fresh ideas, and set small, achievable goals to keep moving forward. Choose roles in projects that match your interests so you remain engaged while helping the team succeed. For tasks that seem less exciting, see them as chances to learn, improve them where you can, and work with others to make them easier. Balancing your role and managing tasks wisely will keep you motivated.

Make work smoother by automating repetitive tasks and take mental health days to recharge. Think about the bigger impact of your work to revive your passion, and join open-source projects or meetups to feel more connected to your field. To handle deadlines and long hours, break tasks into smaller parts, prioritize, and set clear goals to avoid getting stuck on perfection. Keeping a healthy work-life balance, using efficient workflows, and practicing mindful habits will help you stay focused, motivated, and creatively fulfilled.
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Vishnu’s Answer

Staying fulfilled in a technical role like software engineering, especially when working on projects that aren't personally exciting, can be challenging. Here are some strategies that I could suggest based on my experiences:
1) Network within your organization: Actively seek out and connect with people who share similar professional interests or goals. DELOITTE has many level forums, communities of practice, or special interest groups where you can discuss new ideas, explore different technologies, and find collaborators on passion projects. This can provide an outlet for your creative energy outside of your assigned tasks.
2) Find mentors: Seek out experienced professionals who can offer guidance and motivation. Mentors can provide valuable perspectives, help you navigate challenges, and inspire you to see the creative potential even in less exciting projects. They can also help you identify opportunities for growth and personal development.
3) Develop interpersonal skills: Use this time to enhance your interpersonal skills. Even if the technical aspects of a project aren't thrilling for any reasons, you can focus on improving your communication, collaboration, and leadership abilities. These "soft skills" are crucial for career advancement and can make any project more engaging by allowing you to contribute in different ways and influence outcomes.
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Impero’s Answer

I have been in the IT services space for over a decade, and if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that not every project is going to light your creative fire. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to stay fulfilled while working through them.

At our company (Impero IT Services), we have had mobile & web developers work on projects that—on paper—seemed routine or even a bit dull. Things like building admin panels, forms for field reps or integrating a payment gateway for the fifth time. But you know what kept them motivated? They challenged themselves to do those things better, smarter, or cleaner than they had before.

One of our developers, for example, was working on a logistics app, not super glamorous, right? But he took it as a chance to experiment with a smoother UI flow and even introduced some slick animations using Flutter’s widget layering. The client was impressed, but more importantly, he felt proud of the craftsmanship.

Another example: one of our backend folks automated a repetitive data migration process just because he thought, “Why not make this less painful for everyone next time?” That kind of initiative not only sparked creativity but actually shaped our internal best practices.

And here’s a tip I always share with junior devs: You don’t need to love the project just find one small part of it you can take ownership of. Maybe it’s improving performance, designing a reusable component or optimizing a process. That ownership often turns a “meh” task into a win you can be proud of.

Hope that helps—and trust me, we’ve all been there. You're not alone in this at all.
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Anoop’s Answer

Hi Olena,
Great question! Honestly, working in tech can be a rollercoaster—there are definitely days when the deadlines feel impossible or you’re stuck on a bug for hours. What helps me (and a lot of people I know) is remembering to take breaks and not be too hard on myself when things get tough. Sometimes just stepping away for a walk or chatting with a friend can help clear my head.

I also try to celebrate small wins—like finally fixing a tricky bug or finishing a feature—because those moments remind me why I enjoy this work. Staying connected with teammates and asking for help when I need it makes a huge difference, too. And outside of work, having hobbies or just relaxing helps me recharge.

At the end of the day, it’s about balance. Tech moves fast, but it’s okay to slow down when you need to. Reminding myself why I got into this field in the first place—curiosity and the fun of building things—helps me stay motivated, even when things get hectic.
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Prejin’s Answer

Staying creative in a technical job like software engineering can be tough, especially if the work doesn't excite you. But there are ways to keep your motivation and creativity alive. Here are some simple ideas:

Look for Innovation:
Try to make systems better or find ways to do things more efficiently.
Suggest new features or creative solutions, even for everyday tasks.
Play around with new technologies or frameworks when you have free time.

Set Personal Goals:
Start small projects or side projects that match your interests, like gaming or AI.
Learn a new programming language or tool for fun.
Focus on becoming an expert in a specific area or help with open-source projects.

Keep Learning:
Take online courses, join webinars, or go to hackathons.
Read industry blogs, listen to podcasts, or join communities for inspiration.
Find a mentor or work with colleagues who inspire you.

Get Involved in Planning:
Join in on project planning, user experience talks, or design reviews.
Share ideas that can creatively shape the project.

Connect to a Bigger Purpose:
See how your project helps users or aligns with the company’s mission.
Find meaning in how your work supports bigger goals, even if the project isn't thrilling.

Take Breaks and Stay Creative Outside Work:
Do hobbies like gaming, art, writing, or music to keep your creativity flowing.
Sometimes, outside inspiration can boost your work creativity too.
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Rebecca’s Answer

Hi Olena,

That's a fantastic question! It's important to know and set your boundaries to keep a healthy work-life balance. Try to include something you love in your work, like mentoring new employees, leading training sessions, or joining a company group. Adding this positive element can make your daily tasks more enjoyable.
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Tessa’s Answer

The first thing to consider is that the majority of roles have an element of difficulty, sameness or even boredom. Getting to work on what we love, without experiencing some of the less exciting stuff is rare, it's a part of the learning journey. Software development is no different.

But as with most roles, try to understand where your contribution fits. You are likely to be part of a team, which has an influence on whether customers are delighted with the products you help to produce. If product quality is poor, the customer experience will be poor. So you are impacting and aiding the overall business strategy.

Actively participate in the scrums, network across different groups, challenge your knowledge - always be willing to learn more. Knowledge of coding is a stepping stone to many other areas in technology.

Good luck!
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Vidhya’s Answer

Starting with the basics might not seem exciting, but it's the first step to creating amazing things like apps, games, and websites. As you bring your ideas to life, you'll feel more excited and creative. Try small projects that interest you, like exploring AI or games. Set goals that inspire you and keep up with the latest trends.
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