Think about your future. From “Stupid Posts” series.
Roughly 1,5 years passed after I have quit my last job. And I should say that I’m totally happy with this choice. Understanding that now you are protecting your own interests only is worth that complexity of being independent. My schedule is now quite flexible, I commit to various areas of interest (including no profit ones, like Lilu or Protonio). What is important, I have way wider choice now.
Lessons I have learnt are as follows:
- Mostly any vision of future is erroneous. Things are likely to change.
- Expectations are failing. Estimations are completely wrong :)
- Do not underprice yourself
- Choose right clients
- Try strange ideas
- Get real.
Being free is really nice. I’ve finally came to committing to my own business rather than to others.
This is not stupid, but inspirational.
I agree. I left my job almost a year and a half ago too. My “future” is in my hands, not between the thumb and forefinger of a boss. I call the former job security, not the latter. For others, I can’t emphasize these points enough:
- Do not underprice yourself
While this can relate to “estimations are [usually] completely wrong”, I urge everyone to hold strong on this point. I always use the mechanic reference. Car mechanics in the US get between $50 and $75/hr for labor. While I have the utmost respect for these guys, I feel that (from my experience at least) our work as programmers is usually more complicated and filled with tedious detail. Not to mention that your local auto-body shop isn’t going to build you a custom car from the ground-up. I’ve had clients wanting custom software and expected to pay next to nothing for it. They don’t understand the process and rarely understand the true costs and time involved. Stand up for yourself and be clear from the start.
This then relates to:
- Choose right clients
When you first start working for yourself, it’s exciting to be offered new jobs and I took on almost everything that I was given. But it doesn’t take long to realize that you may have the client from hell. Ask questions upfront. Make it clear what it’s going to take, how much it’s going to cost, and don’t hesitate to say ‘no’. As Yurii states, your estimations are going to be completely wrong. Factor this in. Don’t get trapped.
Maybe most importantly, however, is to have fun and enjoy what you’re doing (in all aspects of life, including work). I’ve learned my lessons and know how to spot trouble clients from a mile away. I’d rather turn down work than accept a decent sized payday for several months of absolute misery.
(And like Claudio said, this wasn’t a stupid post.)
Thanks.