Reply to: Negative people when starting up!

[swamp]

The 'classic' contractor is smart, outgoing, but just could never fit into the corporate machine.

Let me put it another way...

When you were at school did you sit at the back of the class (and piss about) but still got the top mark in the exam? If "yes" then go contracting

[d000hg]

Mis-read you then, my point stands but count yourself not in my cross-hair

[northernladuk]

Not the "if you have to ask, you aren't cut out for it" spiel again. It's a total change to your lifestyle and if you don't know many contractors you don't really know what to expect. Anyone who makes such a decision without asking for advice and thinking it through carefully is not taking it seriously enough.

I don't see why my quote is the 'if you have to' ask spiel. My comment was around who he is speaking to in the context of his original post. You are totally right in what you say but the OP is specifically talking about negativity from family and friends not fellow contractors.

[d000hg]

There is just one last nagging doubt - if you aren't sure and you need to ask whether you should jump or not then are you sure you are up to it?

and to be honest at times your family/partners being a bit negative about you contracting is going to be the very least of your worries. If you are getting yourself wound up about someone elses opinion then you are going to find it very tough in a office full of negative permies.

Not the "if you have to ask, you aren't cut out for it" spiel again. It's a total change to your lifestyle and if you don't know many contractors you don't really know what to expect. Anyone who makes such a decision without asking for advice and thinking it through carefully is not taking it seriously enough.

[Mich the Tester]

Any change you make in life is likely to meet with resistance from people around you, unless it’s an undoubtedly positive change like giving up smoking or getting treated for a booze problem; even then, there’ll probably be people who’ll say you won’t succeed.

Any change that has a degree of uncertainty just worries a lot of people a bit. Many people cling to the false security of doing the same thing every day, in the same way in the same place, with the same people. Many of those people end up on the scrapheap, dumped by a boss at HQ who’s never met them, because the quarterly figures, over which they have little or no influence, were 0.5% below “analysts’ expectations”.

Basically, if you want to lead an enjoyable life and give your family and enjoyable life, you need to be prepared to make regular changes; no publicly owned company will show loyalty to employees when there’s an extra dollar to be earned by replacing them or sacking them; you shouldn’t show them loyalty.

You’ll find as soon as you get into your first contract that you feel free; you will feel more confident about what you can achieve. That confidence will help you sell yourself to clientcos and to those you deal with at clientco. You will feel more free, because you will be free.

Get on with it. Your life belongs to you, not to the naysayers.


Oh, and don't lick the chutney spoon in Indian restaurants; you don't know where it's been (sorry folks, I know that's an old one but it still cracks me up).

[alreadypacked]

Nobody has said anything about the first people he will have to deal with "Agents"

Read some of the threads in General, it's not pretty.

Welcome to CUK, where's the drinks cabinet?

Two months on this new contract and still no work.

[quackhandle]

Sometimes it's about taking life by the balls and going for it - only you can do that though. I had only 3.5 years exp in my field and I'd had enough of office politics and corporate climbers so I tried contracting. My first contract was at Microsoft (I use MS server apps) which was frustrating at first but all in all a fantastic 9m contract, in that time managed to pay off all of my debts and save a deposit for house. Then I didn't work for four months, even though I had MS on my CV. So I got to see both sides of contracting very early on. All in all eights years later I *like* contracting, have worked for 12 companies so have gained tons of experience.

Since Jan 2009 I was on the bench until Aug 09 then 6 month contract, then nothing March-May 2010. That was tough going, esp 2009 when wife was made redundant also. Now in gig until mid Sept but wife is 6m pregnant, so wondering if I should venture down the dark side.

Was already contracting when I met my gf/wife so she understood and my father has contracted on and off for last 20 years, so no hassle there. My old school car builder Father-in-law is a different story though! Hasn't a clue about contracting at all.

Good luck.

qh

ps -stay away from Brookson and Paystream if you can help it.

[northernladuk]

I am keen to move into contracting by the end of the year. The project at my current permanent job is coming to an end and it just feels like the right time for me to move into contracting.

Did anybody else find their family/friends who were negative about moving into contracting when you were looking? I appreciate the market isn't exactly booming, but we all have to start at some point.

Rant over....

and to be honest at times your family/partners being a bit negative about you contracting is going to be the very least of your worries. If you are getting yourself wound up about someone elses opinion then you are going to find it very tough in a office full of negative permies.

[lukemg]

You are facing the same resistance and doubts that many of us have in the past, the reality is that many contractors do it from a position of having nothing to lose. They will have been made redundant or be in a place where there is very little keeping them there so it doesn't seem much of a leap.
My dad stayed at the same company for ever despite other opportunities which might have seen him do 'better' (whatever that means) elsewhere, he still did ok.
When I was talking to him about going contracting I thought he would say no - stay in the safe place. He surprised me by saying go for it, if it doesn't work out, it won't be your last job, something else will turn up.
Just make sure your skills have some future as your success on the open market will follow that.

[SupremeSpod]

To be honest do what feels right to you and only you. I contracted for 20 years and loved every minute of it (blissfully retired now!) If i`d of listened to others I wouldnt of experienced travelling the world, meeting the people I have and earning good money.

1 piece of imperative advice - speak to a qualified tax consultant. No point in earning the cash if they can take it back.

You might've learned to spell though.

But seriously, if your partner is supportive and doesn't just spend all the money you'll be fine. Contracting isn't for everyone - thank goodness otherwise the market would be saturated!

[wacky77]

To be honest do what feels right to you and only you. I contracted for 20 years and loved every minute of it (blissfully retired now!) If i`d of listened to others I wouldnt of experienced travelling the world, meeting the people I have and earning good money.

1 piece of imperative advice - speak to a qualified tax consultant. No point in earning the cash if they can take it back.

[northernladuk]

Hmm, I obviously haven't read around enough.... what is "the question"?

Like a lamb to the slaughter

[HairyArsedBloke]

Hmm, I obviously haven't read around enough.... what is "the question"?

I do love it when this happens.

Well, since you ask ......

For starters,

meraff, do you ever hang around a gymnasium?

[meraff]

Hmm, I obviously haven't read around enough.... what is "the question"?

[zeitghost]

Can I start to ask him, the questions now?

Gowon, you know you want to.