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I have a general rule of not giving any one client more than 1-2 days a week, with very rare exceptions. I've found that working on multiple projects each week

by reuven 15y ago

I have a general rule of not giving any one client more than 1-2 days a week, with very rare exceptions. I've found that working on multiple projects each week is good for my business (especially when projects end), good for my knowledge and experience (since it forces me to learn more and gain more skills), and even good for my clients (who can benefit from the knowledge that I'm gathering from many places. This arrangement doesn't work under all circumstances, but on the rare occasions when I've agreed to commit myself to full-time work with a single client, I've found that it cost me on all three of these measures. It does mean that I've sometimes had to say "no" to potential clients for whom my style isn't a good fit.

mark_l_watson 15y ago
Hello Reuven, you might remember me, we have traded emails in the past. Since you are (still?) in graduate school, it seems right on to work multiple smaller jobs for experiences and not get trapped in huge projects. I have been working a long time (since early 1970s, but I have almost never worked more than 32 hours/week). While it is easy for me to say since I am financially very stable, I believe it is such a mistake to maximize financial wealth instead of experiences and general lifestyle. Real wealth is mostly family, friends, travel, etc., once one has the material essentials. Based on seeing your open source projects and writing, you may agree with me.
- reuven 15y ago
  Hi, Mark. Yes, I definitely remember you! I'm still (yes, still...) working on my PhD, but I'm consulting full time nowadays, and have been for a while. I do tend to work far too many hours, but it's mostly because I'm enjoying what I'm doing, and am learning as much as I'm doing for clients. That said, I feel very fortunate that I spent a lot of time with my children, and that I have the flexibility to help my wife out and work on other things (e.g., the PhD) along with paying the mortgage and such. We've taken a 10-day family vacation to Europe for the last two summers, as well; travel can indeed be addictive! I don't think that there's a tension between maximizing profit and family/friends. On the contrary, one of the reasons why I'm interested in the discussion here is that I'd like to make more during the hours that I do consult, so that I can work fewer hours and have more time to work on personal projects, sleep (!), and family, not necessarily in that order.

by reuven 15y ago

mark_l_watson 15y ago

Hello Reuven, you might remember me, we have traded emails in the past. Since you are (still?) in graduate school, it seems right on to work multiple smaller jobs for experiences and not get trapped in huge projects. I have been working a long time (since early 1970s, but I have almost never worked more than 32 hours/week). While it is easy for me to say since I am financially very stable, I believe it is such a mistake to maximize financial wealth instead of experiences and general lifestyle. Real wealth is mostly family, friends, travel, etc., once one has the material essentials. Based on seeing your open source projects and writing, you may agree with me.

reuven 15y ago
Hi, Mark. Yes, I definitely remember you! I'm still (yes, still...) working on my PhD, but I'm consulting full time nowadays, and have been for a while. I do tend to work far too many hours, but it's mostly because I'm enjoying what I'm doing, and am learning as much as I'm doing for clients. That said, I feel very fortunate that I spent a lot of time with my children, and that I have the flexibility to help my wife out and work on other things (e.g., the PhD) along with paying the mortgage and such. We've taken a 10-day family vacation to Europe for the last two summers, as well; travel can indeed be addictive! I don't think that there's a tension between maximizing profit and family/friends. On the contrary, one of the reasons why I'm interested in the discussion here is that I'd like to make more during the hours that I do consult, so that I can work fewer hours and have more time to work on personal projects, sleep (!), and family, not necessarily in that order.