Balancing Ambitious Goals and Burnout: A Realistic Framework for High-Achieving Software Engineers

If you want to achieve anything remarkable in your career, you'll need to grind.

If you grind for a long enough period of time, doing something you're not in love with, you'll burn out.

To achieve what I believe is something significant within CS careers, I had to grind a lot.

I loved a lot of it: the CS "sub-culture" and "modernity" of the field, the flexibility of CS jobs, CS as a science (the abstraction of it yet its enormous implementation potentials), I liked how close it was to mathematics (my favourite science), the internet, etc.

Did I love all of it? No.

Did I burn out a bit? Yes.

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The Alternative Path I Didn't Take

If instead of switching to CS after my BSc in Automation Engineering, I had sticked to Automation Engineering, could have I achieved similar results? Yes.

At least in theory.

Since there were too many things about Automation Engineering that were bugging me, I would have probably burnt out much more.

The Best Career Advice I Ever Received

Before joining Oracle, I had an interview with an SVP there.

I asked him if he had any advice to have a remarkable career in tech.

He said: "Work very hard, at least early in your career. Later on, as your skills compound, you can relax a bit."

I asked: "How do I avoid burning out when working a lot?"

Him: "Try to work on things you genuinely like. You'll still burnout. But you'll burnout less."

I love this advice.

It's harsh, but it's true. At least in my experience.

What This Actually Means

I'm not saying it's worth it to grind to have a remarkable career. This would depend on the individual's personality, values and overall life goals.

I'm only saying that IMO a high degree of intensity and hard work is required to achieve anything significant, especially in highly competitive fields.

And that it's easier to be intense if you genuinely love what you do.

The Grinding Reality in Different Career Paths

Career Path	Grinding Required	Burnout Risk	Key Factor
Big Tech (Switzerland/US)	Very High	High	Compensation & prestige worth it?
Remote LCLT	Moderate	Low-Moderate	Flexibility reduces pressure
Startup	Extreme	Very High	Passion & equity must sustain you
Local European Companies	Moderate	Low	Better work-life balance

Understanding these trade-offs is crucial. If you're pursuing financial independence through tech, you need sustainable intensity—not a burnout sprint.

Making the Framework Work for You

The key isn't avoiding hard work. It's about:

1. Choosing work you genuinely enjoy - not just tolerate
2. Building in recovery periods - your skills compound during rest too
3. Aligning grinding with personal values - not just external validation
4. Recognizing when to pivot - burnout is a signal, not a badge

If you're planning your career path in Europe, remember: the most sustainable path is one where the grinding feels worthwhile because you actually care about what you're building.

Financial Planning Reduces Burnout

One underrated aspect: financial security dramatically reduces burnout risk. When you're not desperate for the next paycheck, you can be more selective about projects and pace.

Explore salary data and savings rates across European cities to understand how location impacts your financial runway.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How much grinding is actually necessary to succeed in tech?

It depends on your definition of "success." For a comfortable €80-100k career in Europe, moderate consistent effort is enough. For big tech €200k+ roles or founding a successful startup, expect 2-5 years of intense grinding, especially early in your career. The SVP advice holds: grind hard early when your opportunity cost is low, then leverage compounded skills later.

How do I know if I'm burning out or just working hard?

Key burnout signals: persistent exhaustion that doesn't improve with rest, cynicism about your work, declining performance despite effort, physical symptoms (insomnia, headaches), and dreading tasks you used to enjoy. Hard work is sustainable and energizing despite being tiring; burnout is unsustainable and draining. If weekends and vacations don't restore your energy, you're likely burning out.

Is it possible to have a remarkable tech career without grinding?

Realistically, no—at least not in highly competitive fields like software engineering at top companies. However, you can minimize grinding by choosing work you genuinely love, working in efficient environments, and leveraging location advantages (remote work in low-cost areas reduces financial pressure). Remarkable results require remarkable input, but "grinding" on something you love feels different than forcing yourself through something you hate.

Should I prioritize passion or compensation when choosing roles?

This is a false dichotomy. The optimal strategy depends on your career stage: Early career (0-5 years): Prioritize learning and finding what you genuinely enjoy. Mid-career (5-10 years): Optimize for compensation while staying in domains you like. Later career: Leverage compounded skills for both high comp and work you love. The dangerous path is chasing compensation in domains you hate—that's the fastest route to burnout.

How does location affect the grinding vs burnout equation?

Location dramatically impacts this balance. In expensive cities (SF, London, Zurich), financial pressure intensifies grinding and raises burnout risk. In low-cost locations with remote high-paying jobs (Poland, Portugal, Spain), reduced financial anxiety gives you breathing room. You can grind when needed without desperation. This is why many engineers are moving to LCLT (Low-Cost, Low-Tax) locations—same work, less stress.

What should I do if I'm already burnt out?

First, acknowledge it—denying burnout makes it worse. Then: (1) Take real time off if possible (2-4 weeks minimum), (2) Evaluate if your current role/company can change or if you need to leave, (3) Reduce financial pressure by cutting expenses or building savings, (4) Consider switching to a less intense role or company temporarily, (5) Seek professional help if symptoms are severe. Burnout recovery takes months, not days. Plan accordingly and don't rush back into intensity.