Reply to: How do you tackle boredom?

[GhostofTarbera]

How do you tackle boredom?

Turned my hobby into a business.

You wank people for money now ??


We all have those hobby to business dreams



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[clearedforlanding]

Turned my hobby into a business.

[darmstadt]

Look at bank balance & daily rate then look at how hard you would need to work in another industry to earn even half that same amount of ££££ is the answer!!

I did that, have now decided to go work for the BBC as a sports presenter :-) However, this is actually what I tend to do when faced with boredom. I did a contract at the Porsche R&D center where I was basically stuck in a cellar and ever now and then someone would ring up and ask me to do something. As the money was good (and the view outside was interesting being only 150m from the test track), I stuck it out and learnt a new operating system at the same time

[uk contractor]

Look at bank balance & daily rate then look at how hard you would need to work in another industry to earn even half that same amount of ££££ is the answer!!

[BlueSharp]

You have an opportunity for paid R&D. Spin up some new tech and learn it. Bonus points if you land a extension or convince the client to adapt the new technology and get a contract extension. Like what a large consultancy would do.

[cloudcontractor]

- Zero expectations from line manager

You don't have a line manager. You're a business. You're your own manager. You might have a senior client contact-point who is a manager within your client's business, but they ain't your line manager.

[northernladuk]

Drink lots of water, then look forward to the opportunity to get up for a piss.

Then look hard at yourself in the mirror and wonder what your life has become.

Very hard to find an answer to that question when another contractor is fapping away in trap 2 to be fair.

[PerfectStorm]

Drink lots of water, then look forward to the opportunity to get up for a piss.

Then look hard at yourself in the mirror and wonder what your life has become.

[PCTNN]

Thanks for the replies and suggestions

From speaking to other contractors it sounds like we're all in the same boat.

Probably one of those situations where a department has to use up all the budget otherwise they'll get less the following year.

I'll stay at this gig for a bit longer, deliver what is being asked when it's being asked, and update my cv/portfolio in the downtime. Then I'll start looking for a new contract when I enter the 3rd month so I can pass this one as a "short contract" and not raise any eyebrows.

Thanks

[fiisch]

Leave. At the earliest opportunity.

My last contract made me realise money isn't everything. I was in the same boat - no work, good money, although job was City-based. I was absolutely miserable, walked around the office feeling like a fraud, and counting the minute hand until about 4:10pm when I could justify sneaking out having managed another 7 hour day.

I waited it out 8 months (mainly due to an impending house move), but as soon as I moved landed another contract in the office building next door. Although I'm now working much longer days and have a harder life so to speak, I am much happier, both at work and at home, and I don't get the same feeling of dread on every morning commute.

Being in that scenario is toxic, and isn't doing you as an individual any favours.

[GhostofTarbera]

Wanking in toilets ?


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[TestMangler]

Is sleeping at client site out of the question?

Sleeping on the client site is NEVER out of the question

Where his 'BarryDidIt' ?? He could verify my world leading bog-kipping skills.

Also, seeing how many client co bogs you can have a hand shandy in before getting caught tends to pass a bit of time (And maybe shorten the contract for you).

[Old Greg]

Hi

As per title, what do you do when your contract turns out to be boring? How do you kill time?

- Minimum work.
- Work isn't even that challenging (or am I THAT good?? I don't think so).
- Zero expectations from line manager and client.
- Mediocre, actually almost non existent, office banter.

I feel like I'm basically an expensive commodity kept here just in case they need me.

Looking for another gig is out of the question as it's a local gig and the day rate is very good.

How do you cope/have you coped?

Is sleeping at client site out of the question?

[BR14]

Find something interesting to do that adds value for your client....

Or f*** off.

the latter.

[Lance]

Find something interesting to do that adds value for your client....

Or f*** off.