contractor burnout ... career break?

[OwlHoot]

The time is rapidly coming when you'll be begging for work, any work.

Has the string snapped on your 'The end is nigh' sandwich board sas?

Didn't SG's sandwich board read "Willing to code HTML for money?"

(Mind you, he may have a point )

[BrilloPad]

Well when is a good time? Why work your whole life?!

IBs must be full of lifeless drones if they actually frown at a few months' career break.

I take your point. Though the contract drones are alot better than the permies!

Who was who posted that more than 3 months career break is assumed to be prison?

[AlfredJPruffock]

Well when is a good time? Why work your whole life?!

IBs must be full of lifeless drones if they actually frown at a few months' career break.

Yes they are - utter drones , having worked in a variety of sectors - Banking was certainly the most draconic - the best sector ?

Engineering.

[Cyberman]

Well when is a good time? Why work your whole life?!

IBs must be full of lifeless drones if they actually frown at a few months' career break.

Looks like the first break that some will have is in a coffin. Gordon Brown loves people like you!!

[JoJoGabor]

I stopped permie work about 5 years ago to do a snowboard season which really changed my life. I came back to London to Contract for just over a year then went travelling with my gf round Asia for 5 months which I must say was the best 5 months of my life. I love my job but that was the only time in my life I had no worries at all, about money, school, jobs - anything. I then contracted in Australia and NZ for 2 years, squeezing in another snowboard season while working part time in IT. Then another 6 months travelling including 2 months in Austria (snowboarding again) and had no trouble finding work when I got back to the UK. I feel so much more relaxed and motivated to work.

This was ruined by taking a contract in the public sector, which really pissed on my fire. I quit last week and starting another permie role, as this role is much more challenging.

My conclusion: If you are even considering taking a break, just do it, It'll be the best thing you'll ever do, before it gets too hard!

[RichardCranium]

My conclusion: If you are even considering taking a break, just do it, It'll be the best thing you'll ever do, before it gets too hard!

... and you're a long time dead.

[bobhope]

It can be difficult sometimes not to think 'taking tomorrow off will cost £500' though. The real problem is the uncertainty - the government have got it in for us, so the current rates may not be around forever.

[ChimpMaster]

I think I've fallen into the mentality of :-

1) This rate is the best I'm going to ever get so max it out while I can.
2) Due to my niche skillset I won't be able to find another contract easily, and certainly not locally.
3) The money I "lose" due to time-off is too much (e.g. a week off is more than a couple of grand in "lost" earnings), so it hurts even when I'm on holiday.
4) I'm getting used to "earning" a certain amount and wouldn't want to have that decrease.
5) I never want my young family to go without in the future so I must make the most of it while I can.
6) Contracting for me, in my field, is a limited game, so I shouldn't waste this opportunity.

It's a horrible feeling, but somehow I feel trapped now. Anyone else the same?

[oracleslave]

1) This rate is the best I'm going to ever get so max it out while I can.

No - my rate seems to have been constant or with small increases over the last 3 years.

2) Due to my niche skillset I won't be able to find another contract easily, and certainly not locally.

Agreed

3) The money I "lose" due to time-off is too much (e.g. a week off is more than a couple of grand in "lost" earnings), so it hurts even when I'm on holiday.

It does my head-in but I force myself to take the time off anyway. 1 month minimum a year.

4) I'm getting used to "earning" a certain amount and wouldn't want to have that decrease.

Well obviously

5) I never want my young family to go without in the future so I must make the most of it while I can.

Well obviously

6) Contracting for me, in my field, is a limited game, so I shouldn't waste this opportunity.

I don't feel it's limited at all. What is limited is my desire to continue to work in IT.
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[TheBigYinJames]

I think I've fallen into the mentality of :-

1) This rate is the best I'm going to ever get so max it out while I can.
2) Due to my niche skillset I won't be able to find another contract easily, and certainly not locally.
3) The money I "lose" due to time-off is too much (e.g. a week off is more than a couple of grand in "lost" earnings), so it hurts even when I'm on holiday.
4) I'm getting used to "earning" a certain amount and wouldn't want to have that decrease.
5) I never want my young family to go without in the future so I must make the most of it while I can.
6) Contracting for me, in my field, is a limited game, so I shouldn't waste this opportunity.

It's a horrible feeling, but somehow I feel trapped now. Anyone else the same?

I've often felt like that when the market takes a downturn, but it does go on,a nd it does recover. As long as you are prepared to 'batten down the hatches' for a while, perhaps take a lesser paying contract or go permie, you can survive to live again. Recessions separate the men from the whiny toryboys, who tend to bugger off to Oz or somewhere instead of gritting their teeth.