Hitting the certification "wall"

Mah Bahls

Hey all,

Been spending a lot of time trying to get my MCITP for Windows 7 Admin and I can't seem to keep focused on it anymore. I start reading the books or watching the CBT and I just get bored with it. I enjoy the technology, but I cannot seem to stay on top of my training recently.

Anyone else experience these waves of major drive followed by a lull period? Anyone have any suggestions on how to push through it without burning myself out?

Thanks!

Slowhand

You know, for some odd reason, I have the exact same experience with Microsoft certs. I find myself excited and engaged at first, but it quickly sputters out and I have trouble staying on-topic and have to find ways to force myself to keep studying one topic or another. I don't always have the same problem with Cisco or Linux stuff, it seems to be a common theme only when dealing with Microsoft technologies.

Right now, I'm crunching for the 70-643 exam and there are times I'm so burned out on Remote Desktop Services or storage that I need a break, so I hop over to looking at Exchange for a bit - since I'm also planning on taking 70-662 at some point - until I find myself snoozing while studying mailbox configuration or installing an edge server, then I hop back to the 70-643 stuff again.

If you feel like you're completely losing your drive, take a break from what you're specifically focused on and come back to it after a while of doing something else. Trust me, it'll do wonders.

NetworkingStudent

Mah Bahls wrote: »

Hey all,

Been spending a lot of time trying to get my MCITP for Windows 7 Admin and I can't seem to keep focused on it anymore. I start reading the books or watching the CBT and I just get bored with it. I enjoy the technology, but I cannot seem to stay on top of my training recently.

Anyone else experience these waves of major drive followed by a lull period? Anyone have any suggestions on how to push through it without burning myself out?

Thanks!

This is exactly how I feel!! Sorry, but studying 20 different way to deploy Windows 7 for the 70-680 exam does get a little old after awhile.

jamesleecoleman

I get this after I've failed an exam multiple times.....

I suggest trying to make the learning experience a little fun.

kiki162

The only way I can push through it is to schedule the test itself for a few weeks out, depending on my schedule of course. I've kinda hit the wall myself on MS certs mainly because I've been finishing up my degree and spending the time doing that. I'm just trying to decide on what to do next that would help me in my career.

daviddws

I hear what your saying. I've basically planned out the next 2 1/2 years of my life on certs and another graduate degree. I'm starting to wonder if I will burn out before I meet my goals..

Turgon

Mah Bahls wrote: »

Hey all,

Been spending a lot of time trying to get my MCITP for Windows 7 Admin and I can't seem to keep focused on it anymore. I start reading the books or watching the CBT and I just get bored with it. I enjoy the technology, but I cannot seem to stay on top of my training recently.

Anyone else experience these waves of major drive followed by a lull period? Anyone have any suggestions on how to push through it without burning myself out?

Thanks!

Im my experience it's not so much a certification wall as just a wall. Take a month out and do something else then comeback refreshed.

N2IT

Turgon wrote: »

Im my experience it's not so much a certification wall as just a wall. Take a month out and do something else then comeback refreshed.

I agree with "the wall" concept.

However, when it comes to financial books and just basic industry reads I am all over it and enjoy it. When it comes to studying for a certification, I am feeling the burn myself. I have enough in me to finish the PMP even with another fail, no guartnees after that.

To the OP, I would consider mixing up your study plans. If you are reading a lot or watching a lot of video, try goofing around labbing or something else. Maybe step away from that technology and try to learn another at a high level. Sometimes just getting away in general can reboost you. Read others blogs and get involved in networking groups. Those individuals will push you, that's how I have gotten over the hump a few times.

Turgon

N2IT wrote: »

I agree with "the wall" concept.

However, when it comes to financial books and just basic industry reads I am all over it and enjoy it. When it comes to studying for a certification, I am feeling the burn myself. I have enough in me to finish the PMP even with another fail, no guartnees after that.

To the OP, I would consider mixing up your study plans. If you are reading a lot or watching a lot of video, try goofing around labbing or something else. Maybe step away from that technology and try to learn another at a high level. Sometimes just getting away in general can reboost you. Read others blogs and get involved in networking groups. Those individuals will push you, that's how I have gotten over the hump a few times.

Your tactics are wise, but it really depends where you are at. Change things and push yourself if that is what you need. But do some introspection first. If that is what you need, do that. If what you need is to walk away for a while. Do that.
One must avoid the certification ratrace. It's over anyway. Today it's about careers, and they take years to evolve and largely depend on balance in life and a positive outlook in ones life

N2IT

Turgon wrote: »

Your tactics are wise, but it really depends where you are at. Change things and push yourself if that is what you need. But do some introspection first. If that is what you need, do that. If what you need is to walk away for a while. Do that.
One must avoid the certification ratrace. It's over anyway. Today it's about careers, and they take years to evolve and largely depend on balance in life and a positive outlook in ones life

I agree 100000% The certification rat race is over, it's dead. It actually died a while ago, it just takes time for the process to catch up. Value and delivery is where it's at. If the company spends X amount of dollars on you and you produce Y, Y being on the + side of things you are in good shape and well on your way to moving up. If you are dead weight and are viewed as a necessary evil make sure to keep your resume polished up.

Turgon

N2IT wrote: »

I agree 100000% The certification rat race is over, it's dead. It actually died a while ago, it just takes time for the process to catch up. Value and delivery is where it's at. If the company spends X amount of dollars on you and you produce Y, Y being on the + side of things you are in good shape and well on your way to moving up. If you are dead weight and are viewed as a necessary evil make sure to keep your resume polished up.

Career is about lifestyle management as much as 'gotta, gotta, gotta' at work and on certification. One needs to find a balance, or you will be overworked, have personal problems, stop hitting targets and fade away. The last 15 years, lots of high octane people got into IT for the rewards. They worked 24/7. It was rewarded for a few years but it isn't healthy or sustainable. The spoon went to the nose, the results fell away and they got replaced. Lots of highly qualified IT pros from the 1997-2002 on welfare today. Beware. Look for a 10 year healthy sustainable plan in this industry.

snokerpoker

Turgon wrote: »

Career is about lifestyle management as much as 'gotta, gotta, gotta' at work and on certification. One needs to find a balance, or you will be overworked, have personal problems, stop hitting targets and fade away. The last 15 years, lots of high octane people got into IT for the rewards. They worked 24/7. It was rewarded for a few years but it isn't healthy or sustainable. The spoon went to the nose, the results fell away and they got replaced. Lots of highly qualified IT pros from the 1997-2002 on welfare today. Beware. Look for a 10 year healthy sustainable plan in this industry.

+1 to this!

Hypntick

kiki162 wrote: »

The only way I can push through it is to schedule the test itself for a few weeks out, depending on my schedule of course. I've kinda hit the wall myself on MS certs mainly because I've been finishing up my degree and spending the time doing that. I'm just trying to decide on what to do next that would help me in my career.

That's how I manage to do certs myself, I have to give myself a hard target to hit. Without that target there's not enough sense of urgency for me.

odysseyelite

Mah Bahls wrote: »

Hey all,

Been spending a lot of time trying to get my MCITP for Windows 7 Admin and I can't seem to keep focused on it anymore. I start reading the books or watching the CBT and I just get bored with it. I enjoy the technology, but I cannot seem to stay on top of my training recently.

Anyone else experience these waves of major drive followed by a lull period? Anyone have any suggestions on how to push through it without burning myself out?

Thanks!

I had the same issues with MS exams. Maybe that area isn't for you. I started doing Cisco certs and love it. I actually look forward to going home and studying after working all day. That there tells me I'm doing something right. If you feel like sticking with the MS route, all I can say is push through it as best you can. Mix the material up. If you had a rough day, watch the nugget video instead of reading the book.

I use a wdlive box, which allows me to stream the cbt videos from my pc to my tv. I find it more relaxing to eat my dinner on the couch instead of looking a monitor after being at work.

I also pay for the exam. I try not to move it back unless I have to.