[erynvorn]

My two cents: change career and move to another place. I moved every four years, from countries to countries, continent to continent, never worked more than 3-4 years in one job. Career change can be from your current employer to another one or from your current favorite language to something different. It is a radical mindset change, being a slow moving individual. but the wealth of learning from different places and cultures is fantastic.

[mtberatwork]

There are pros and cons to this lifestyle. I quite agree that experiencing different cultures is fantastic and will radically change a person for the better. However, I've moved around quite a bit, different countries, different US states, different companies and IMO it gets extremely exhausting after awhile (judging by the OP's question, we are probably about the same age). Not to mention, having your friends and family in all parts of the world is tough. Throw in a partner (and even kids) and the only thing you start to desire is stability.

Plus, changing jobs every few years means that you are constantly in interview churn mode and as you age, you have less and less desire to deal with the moronic ways in which interviewing is conducted. Personally, I still enjoy programming and would still write programs even if I hit the jackpot in the lottery, but the way the industry behaves these days is a big part of why people get burned out.

[anandrm]

This may work if you are single.With family and kids its hardship. I did this with my family ,now after 3 years i wanna move out but the kids find it difficult and my wife has her difference after kids.