As supported by Hays’ global Salary Guide data over the last year, greater flexibility is considered the most important factor in becoming a contractor. It’s a career offers a unique blend of freedom and choice, but can also weigh heavy at times. 

You’re in charge of your time, your income and your future - with no HR department or line manager to guide you. Without sufficient care, this pressure can have a negative impact on your wellbeing, especially as you won’t have access to the resources that permanent workers do. 

How can contractors deal with the more difficult periods? In this blog on World Mental Health Day, I’ll be looking at some of the possible challenges that can arise, with suggestions for ways to prepare. 

1. Manage your working periods 

One of the biggest advantages of contracting is the autonomy it provides. You’ll have greater choice over how and where you work, often with less interference than you’d find in a permanent role. 

However, as I’ve previously discussed in this blog, this only works for people who are well organised and motivated. Being a contractor doesn’t just require expert skills. You need to become a project manager, motivator and strategist. Although there are moments when you need space to breathe, or put your foot on the pedal, it’s important to stay in a rhythm that keeps you engage and productive. 

Failing to do so while contracting can lead to two problems, and one can easily follow the other. The first is around burnout, whereby you’ll ignore sensible working hours in order to complete your tasks. Without the structure that comes with permanent employment, it’s easy to find yourself at your computer for longer periods. Understand that there’s a difference between being “in the zone” and simply overexerting yourself. 

Alternatively, working in such a flexible model can lead to procrastination where you’ll sit back, particularly if you’ve just had a busy spell or have one coming up. Again, this can help you reset sometimes. However, once you’ve had a quiet period, coming back from this can require a lot of energy and additional resources.  

Here are some ways to help you stay on track and stave off exhaustion or demotivation: 

• Plan as ahead in advance as possible, whether that’s on your existing project or for future ones. Don’t leave anything to the last minute where possible.
• Avoid jumping between tasks and set aside time to manage each comprehensively. This won’t just disrupt your productivity, but can also result in a negative reputation among clients.
• Set weekly goals and review them every Friday for effective time management. Don’t just keep track of everything on your client’s project management tools – make use of platforms like Trello or Monday. 

2. Deal with isolation 

It probably won’t come as a surprise to read that temporary contract workers feel lonelier than professionals in permanent roles. The very nature of the career means that you’ll have less attachment to the organisation. You’ll probably won’t get as many opportunities to build a rapport with other people on the project (particularly if you’re based overseas or remotely). Depending on the location of your client, you may even be excluded from team events or other benefits that leave you outside the business. 

This arrangement will suit a lot of people. For others, it will get easier over time as you move between projects. Nonetheless, it’s understandable that you might struggle with the isolation at times. Working outside of regular hours can help your productivity, but it won’t allow you to develop as many relationships as you would in a permanent role. 

If this is affecting your mental wellbeing, there are a few things you can do: 

• Build a network of contractors with whom you can share experiences and ideas. Learn more about how to do this here.
• Look outside of your career for connections, such as a regular sports club or other events. Stepping away from the project briefly can actually keep you motivated and refreshed in the more difficult periods.
• Try more catchups over call, rather than email. This might at odds with the freedom you enjoy about the role, but there’s nothing wrong with touching base if you want to feel more involved. 

3. Redefine success 

In permanent roles, success and progress are usually defined for you: promotions, performance reviews, bonuses. It’s easy to understand how to move forward and when you’ve done so. 

As a contractor, you need to define success for yourself. You’re not going to be able to climb the ladder in the same way that other careers allow you to. Over time, this can be demotivating, especially if you’re a contractor who’s used to working with milestones within projects. After all, where are the ones in your career? 

There are other ways to measure your achievements, though. These include: 

• Track successes such as new skills learned, certifications and even client feedback.
• Make a list of clients (or client profiles) you’d like to work with, and seek out relevant opportunities (or at least build towards it).
• Reflect on what you originally wanted from contracting and whether you’re still getting that. If not, how can you pivot? 

4. Build security 

Beside the many benefits to being a contractor, there are other aspects that can cause anxiety. Contracting can mean variable income, short notice periods and gaps between roles. Sadly, even the best prepared and most organised professionals will probably experience this. No matter your level of experience, this can still be an issue after the predictability of a monthly salary. 

Even if you’re currently in a project, the psychological toll of “what if?” thinking (“What if the contract doesn’t get renewed? What if I can’t find the next one?”) can impact your mental wellbeing. For people that are well organised and thrive with autonomy, this lack of control can be unsettling. 

Being proactive is key. Here’s how to prepare to ensure your mental and financial wellbeing: 

• Start looking early. There’s nothing wrong with searching for your next contract 1-2 months before the end of your existing project. In fact, if there’s no chance of your current contract being renewed, it makes sense. Work with a recruitment partner to plan ahead and find your next opportunity.
• Use your downtime to reflect on what you want from your next contract. Think of this as a period for strategic planning that will pay off later. Research courses, resources or networks that can help you find your next contract.
• Tailor your existing portfolio and profiles to align with your next move, rather than what you’ve already accomplished. 

Contracting isn’t just a career choice - it’s a mindset that requires resilience and self-awareness. Look after your wellbeing by building structure, preparing for uncertainty and staying engaged with the projects and people close to you.

Author

James Milligan
Global Head of Technology Solutions

James Milligan is the Global Head of Technology Solutions, having joined Hays in 2000. In his role, he is responsible for the strategic development of Hays' technology businesses globally.