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Turned Down Renewal
- Thread starter lukemg
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There's something very satisfying about turning down a renewal, not least the client's and pimp's amazement. Seems to me, they think they're doing us a favour by giving us work.
Anyways, it leads on to a more fundamental discussion I have had before with fellow contractors, or at least they say they're contractors. 2 years plus with the same client does not a contractor make (in my humble opinion at least). These are guys who are happy to sit back and take the coin with no risk accepting renewal after renewal (and of course, constantly whinging about said client and banging on about changing contracts come renewal time).
Assuming you've made a rational decision and can afford the break, well done to you sir!!!
Anyways, it leads on to a more fundamental discussion I have had before with fellow contractors, or at least they say they're contractors. 2 years plus with the same client does not a contractor make (in my humble opinion at least). These are guys who are happy to sit back and take the coin with no risk accepting renewal after renewal (and of course, constantly whinging about said client and banging on about changing contracts come renewal time).
Assuming you've made a rational decision and can afford the break, well done to you sir!!!
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Good on ya lukemg. As I've got older I've learned to follow my heart a bit more on things like this. I have just turned down another extension (after 10 months on site) because:
a) I wanted a break
b) While I've enjoyed the work I feel like I've become part of the furniture
c) I have finished my MBA and want to explore my options
The client offered me a more senior role on their biggest project, which would go for atleast 12-18 months starting today but wanted me to go permanent (at much less than my current rate obviously).
So thanks, but no thanks. I said I'd be happy to return again some day but for now I need a break. Isn't that flexibility one of the reasons we are contractors?
a) I wanted a break
b) While I've enjoyed the work I feel like I've become part of the furniture
c) I have finished my MBA and want to explore my options
The client offered me a more senior role on their biggest project, which would go for atleast 12-18 months starting today but wanted me to go permanent (at much less than my current rate obviously).
So thanks, but no thanks. I said I'd be happy to return again some day but for now I need a break. Isn't that flexibility one of the reasons we are contractors?
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I left my previous contract after almost two years. I am now five months into my intended break and I will probably start looking for work around February/March. I have done shedloads of work on my house which I would never have done while working, plus I've had a holiday in South America, and I am now just about to book another holiday for January.
The life of a contractor can be wonderful. The secret is not to become a slave to money, and to know when you need a good break and take it.
The life of a contractor can be wonderful. The secret is not to become a slave to money, and to know when you need a good break and take it.
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harket all the big boyz talking
make hay while the sun shines folks
don't take contracting for granted
when you most need it it won't be there
keep your feet on the ground
keep humble
keep turning up doing the work and saying who
who cares if you have been with the same client for two years taking the easy coin - who was the dipstick that said such a person is not a proper contractor
some of the most unsuccessful people I know are those with principles
a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Luke, stay where you are and look for another contract, don't walk out of one with nothing else on the table, and when you have something else on the table they mught just raise the rate, if not then you are off to the next job
to CyberMan, you're going to look for contracts in March after a 9 month break, jeeez are you brave or hopeful, everybody is predicting a downturn and you're gonna look for work with a gap on your cv !!! cos you did up your house, maybe in your next life, stay contracting to have the continuity and pay someone else to do up your house
it is much too easy to take all the for granted, and when we most need this work we will not have it, therefore we need to get it while we can and hope it does not end
remember how lucky you are
all the best and happy Christmas,
Milan.
make hay while the sun shines folks
don't take contracting for granted
when you most need it it won't be there
keep your feet on the ground
keep humble
keep turning up doing the work and saying who
who cares if you have been with the same client for two years taking the easy coin - who was the dipstick that said such a person is not a proper contractor
some of the most unsuccessful people I know are those with principles
a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Luke, stay where you are and look for another contract, don't walk out of one with nothing else on the table, and when you have something else on the table they mught just raise the rate, if not then you are off to the next job
to CyberMan, you're going to look for contracts in March after a 9 month break, jeeez are you brave or hopeful, everybody is predicting a downturn and you're gonna look for work with a gap on your cv !!! cos you did up your house, maybe in your next life, stay contracting to have the continuity and pay someone else to do up your house
it is much too easy to take all the for granted, and when we most need this work we will not have it, therefore we need to get it while we can and hope it does not end
remember how lucky you are
all the best and happy Christmas,
Milan.
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OMG I just found myself in agreement with some of Milan's views 
I see my contracting as a bonus period of my life where I have been given the chance to rectify past financial mistakes and build a future for my family. I know it's not going to last long, maybe just 4 or 5 years (been 3 now), so I try to make the best of it financially and save what I can. I don't use the additional income to support a more relaxed or hedonistic lifestyle - I'm an easy going non-materialistic guy and if it wasn't for my wife I'd be even more so! Yes I too can afford to take a 12 month break if I wanted to... but I know it would be a ridiculous mistake on my part for my specific situation.
I see my contracting as a bonus period of my life where I have been given the chance to rectify past financial mistakes and build a future for my family. I know it's not going to last long, maybe just 4 or 5 years (been 3 now), so I try to make the best of it financially and save what I can. I don't use the additional income to support a more relaxed or hedonistic lifestyle - I'm an easy going non-materialistic guy and if it wasn't for my wife I'd be even more so! Yes I too can afford to take a 12 month break if I wanted to... but I know it would be a ridiculous mistake on my part for my specific situation.
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OMG I just found myself in agreement with some of Tazzy's views
Milan.
Get a room!
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Well with the property downturn this is no longer a viable investment option. Where have you been?!
