Finishing Contract Early and Still Get Paid

Hi

I am just doing my first IT contract; it's for 15 weeks but I can see it's going to finish early, 10 weeks perhaps.

So my question is what happens then? Do I have to go into their office and do I still get paid? The contract states 15 weeks and the particular project name.

It's only week 2 at the moment but I am wondering whether to slow down my work in order to get paid the full amount.

I want to get paid for the work I deliver rather than the amount of time my bum is on their seat.

Does the client always want you to sit in the office like a dodo even if you have finished the job?

Any advice would be great !

Thanks

Richard

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Dear Richard

Yes you have those options

1. sit on bum
2. go slow
3. stretch 2 weeks into 15 weeks

But is that what you really want?

Is that what you want from your chosen career path that is your passion that is contracting? I'd like to offer some thought provoking questions if I may because that is what I do and because your situation may help someone else.

Perhaps ask yourself these questions around "what is running your passion that is contracting that is your career"

WHO is pressing your gas pedal? Is your passion that is your career being run at your speed or someone elses when you sit on bum, go slow, stretch 2 weeks into 15 weeks?

WHO is spending your TIME? Consider once a moment (of our life) passes we can never get it back. Are you determining how you spend your most precious asset (time) when you sit on bum, go slow, stretch 2 weeks in 15 weeks. OR is someone else?

HOW could you spend your time MORE PRODUCTIVELY instead eg:

• increasing your hourly rate
• increasing your negotiating skill
• increasing your exposure
• increasing your value
• finding higher profile projects

OR is sitting on bum, going slow, stretching 2 weeks into 15 weeks a good enough use of your time? 

See where I'm going with that. Notice how important it is because this will show up again and again. Each Contract has a lifecycle and there are 4 Phases in a Contracts Lifecycle:

1. BRAND NEW CONTRACT
2. CONTRACT EXPIRY
3. INTERVIEW
4. BETWEEN CONTRACTS

There are DIFFERENT Questions to ask and different Decisions to make at each phase if you intend to MAXIMISE your hourly rate.

So yes you can play with the options mentioned above OR you could perhaps USE the TIME to BUILD MASTERY

Here is a list of areas you may want to choose from 21contactpoints 18 powerful questions that can lead to just that.

I understand my post doesn't answer your immediate question but I do hope you see that "where my finger is pointing" does and that it opens you to your bigger picture that is you

TIME is our most precious asset. Once its gone its lost forever.

Regards and best of luck in your new adventures

Robert Litjens
Contractor Performance Catalyst

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Hi, thanks for the information but it doesn't answer the question (although sure I am aware of what you are saying wrt precious time and life goals).

My question is : given my contract, if I finish early do I get paid till the end of the contract - and will the client likely be happy with that ?

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Consider it's really a question that only your client can answer.

1. They may pay your contract out.
2. They may want you to sit there.
3. Would they accept a reduced payout if you did not have to sit there?

 

We can give the scenarios but its only the client that can answer.

However I understand it can feel awkward so its good that you are thinking through your situation before negotiating.