Very boring contract

**fzbucks** · 24 July 2007, 15:54

Originally posted by TazMaN

Guys - I am so so bored on my current contract. This contract has been running for 2 years now and rarely has it been exciting. Often there is little work to do and I have to make myself look busy otherwise I'll be made to do even more laborious work.

I stay in this contract because there isn't a great deal of work elsewhere around in my field, so contracts aren't exactly growing on trees for me. Furthermore, it's commutable from home and the rate is very good - higher than I could have got anywhere else over the past 2 years. The next highest rate I've seen is £100 less per day.

The people are OK to work with and the location is great (city life). The client often keeps contractors for years so there is some security there too.

The work though is of the incredibly dumbing down sort - when there is work to do. I'm actually really fed up with it but the wife and I both look at the financial side of it and I keep thinking that if I get another few months here it'll be great for the bank balance.

But I think I've had enough... I'm almost ready to chuck this contract in. In total I've only been contracting 3 years, so not that long, and this has taken 2 of those.

Anyone else been through this?

If it's making you unhappy then it's not worth the money in my opinion - small periods of time acceptable but not for two years.

**eliquant** · 24 July 2007, 16:05

Don't do it. I felt the same way in my last one, the opportunity to exit the contract gracefully came up and then 1.2 months down the line after it ended I am fighting tooth and nail to try and get another contract and many contracts out there from what I gather are worse than the one I gave up.

Still, I am not desperate for the money .. but as they say "the grass isn't always greener .."..

**DieScum** · 25 July 2007, 07:39

Hey Tazman,

Always read your comments with interest.

What do you fancy doing afterwards outside IT? How much money (ball park) are you looking at saving up?

For you situation I'd really look at transferrable skills so you can spin your CV out in a way that opens up the job market and gives you more choice. I did the 2 day ITIL thing plus exam. Laughably easy, common sense, could have done the exam after reading the small booklet for 30 minutes...but it has got me a fair bit of interest. Looks good on the CV. To loads of people it is just a buzzword and they don't know the difference between red badge and foundation.

Actually got a trip to Vegas out of it. Applied to a conference to do a talk on my core speciality in the context of ITIL. Nice little trip... and saying you have spoken at a conference about ITIL again looks great on the CV.

Also could you get away with doing non-work stuff at work. Like work on articles to put up on the web and see if they can generate an income via google ads or something. If you have free time and could pass it off as writing documentation worth a shot and it could lead to a useful little passive income stream.

**poser** · 25 July 2007, 07:41

depends whats more important at the moment.

work sanity/happiness/enjoyment or money?

**ChimpMaster** · 25 July 2007, 09:51

eliquant -- this is my main fear and what is holding me back from moving on from here. I'm sure some would love it, getting paid for doing nothing, but it can be so de-motivating. Your situation sounds like it was similar to mine. I'm trying to find the strength to fight through this patch!

Diescum -- not sure what I would do outside IT. Perhaps I just need a good long break from the sector to refresh myself. Always saw myself as bit of a trader but I think it's more akin to gambling really and hence not really a good money-making option. Not sure if ITIL would be my cup of tea but the residual income is certainly something I am thinking of. Rather than looking at net cash I try to look at cash flow (aka Rich Dad Poor Dad, if you've read the book). Have been investing in property - not at the right time to catch the boom, but long term it'll build up a secure monthly income. Also have ISAs/savings etc to generate income. I'd like to get to a cash flow of several thousand per month (allowing for tax) before I could really sit back and relax. Of course, building up that amount will take time eh.

Hence why I try to grind through my daily boredom at work - I'm trying to see it as a means to an end rather than the be-all-and-end-all of my career.

**Epiphone** · 25 July 2007, 10:32

Sounds like you're fecked for IR35 at the very least.

**Swiss Tony** · 25 July 2007, 10:49

Take a Holiday

Sounds like you need a break to be honest. How much time off have you have over the last 2 years?

Have a chat with the powers that be and take some time out for R&R. Go somewhere you’ve been meaning to go, do something different and make it a long trip.

While being a contractor means that your there all the time, permies get a holiday allowance (days wise) for their sanity as much as anything else.

Oh and go somewhere sunny, tis the weather that effects your mood the most I find.

**Swiss Tony** · 25 July 2007, 10:53

Originally posted by TazMaN

Hence why I try to grind through my daily boredom at work - I'm trying to see it as a means to an end rather than the be-all-and-end-all of my career.

I always say that money buys you the freedom to do what you want to do. Sounds like your earning it but not doing what fulfils you. While it would be great to be paid buckets for doing what we love, reality I’m afraid will not let me be paid for watching the sunset over the sea.

Get out there and do something different!

**portseven** · 25 July 2007, 11:34

I would save up what I need for a few months on the bench, then take the 1st convenient exit!

Though wouldn't mind a stint there myself, sounds easy money. Do they need any Technical Architects?

Very boring contract