People often view time as linear, seeing it as one-dimensional and narrow, expecting everything to happen in a sequence after which a result neatly appears. By definition, linear living has an endpoint – a finish line. Life is not linear though. Life is a series of cycles that go through evolving stages which change over time. This circular (as opposed to linear) living is similar to contracting.

While the “seasons” of a contractor may not match the seasons in nature, life (as stated above) is cyclical. With March 1st marking the first day of Spring in Ireland, we thought we would look at the cycles of contracting.

• Spring: Like day follows night, Spring follows Winter. Things start to warm up, people are out of hibernation and are going to more and more networking events. New opportunities are starting to come through – your phone starts to ring a little more frequently. It can be difficult at this stage to gauge the temperature of the market. Similar to Irish Spring weather, things can freeze just as fast as they thaw. It’s worth tapping into your network to see what is going on in the market – both in your chosen industry but for contractors in general.
• Summer: It seems like everyone is out and temperatures are soaring. Your skills are in demand and it’s getting more and more difficult to manage your workload. But similar to the Irish weather, the market can change at any moment, so it’s worth maintaining as much of that work load as you possibly can.
• Autumn: If you have planted seeds at the right time, in the right place, with any luck, you will reap the rewards. Those contacts you made back in the Spring and nurtured all Summer are now approaching you with work. Now is the time to start planning for the Winter months when things get icy.
• Winter: For those of you who never watched Game of Thrones, you will have heard the oft quoted warning “Winter is coming”. This word of warning can be applied to contracting too – but perhaps in a less dramatic manner with fewer dragons! Don’t get left out in the cold – ensure you keep an eye on your projects, manage your client relationships and hunker down, knowing that Spring is only around the corner. Everything in business is cyclical and if you are facing a cold winter, know that spring is only around the corner.

Whatever the season, no matter the weather, our team of dedicated finance professionals are on hand to help you navigate your contracting journey. We might not be able to guarantee great weather, but with our Umbrella company service, for example, we help contractors keep more of the money they earn and save for a rainy day.

Here to support your future success

If you are interested in joining the hundreds of female contractors, but you’re not sure where to start, talk to us. We have been supporting contractors for over 20 years, ensuring you maximise the money you make, letting you focus on what you do best! Schedule a call with our team at a time and date that suits you.

We hope you’ll join our community of female contractors Women in Contracting LinkedIn Group here*. We hope you will find it helpful.

*This is a community for women or people who identify as female. Please note, where we reference women or females, we include people who identify as female.