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My problem is that if I charge daily I feel obliged to work at least 8 hours a day, which frankly I often don't manage. Some days I waste too much time on the i
by Tichy 13y ago
My problem is that if I charge daily I feel obliged to work at least 8 hours a day, which frankly I often don't manage. Some days I waste too much time on the internet which I don't want to bill, or I am too tired (unfortunately my sleep is unreliable).
It's a bit lame, I'd like to be a better person who can just do a normal 8 hour day, but so far I have always failed. One reason I like freelancing is because I can only charge for the hours I actually work. It's also a major reason employment is not for me.
- tptacek 13y agoThere is no such obligation; in fact, disposing of that obligation is part of the point of billing daily instead of hourly. Think about it this way: when you bill hourly, not every second of that hour is spent in diligent work either.
- Tichy 13y agoI'll try that next time, must admit I really have to overcome some inner resistance. I've been thinking to try "project based pay" again for that reason (fixed price for delivery/milestones), but that is of course fraught with other problems. Most importantly the dependence on other people that can delay execution and therefore also payment. And of course the difficulty of making good estimates.
- ams6110 13y ago8 hours is an office day that includes getting coffee, bullshitting with colleagues, breaks, "professional development" (ahem.. reading HN.. ahem). Real productivity of an 8 our day is more likely in the range of 4 to 6 hours. But you still put 8 hours on your timesheet.
- Tichy 13y agoI will have to try to feel more relaxed about this. I'd love to just do good work and have fun at work, and this feeling of obligation prevents that.
- porker 13y agoMe too Tichy, I feel just the same about it.