I just landed a big project (several thousand dollars) yesterday. It’s definitely a moonlighting job, one that I can easily fit in after my day job is done. It also fit in perfectly before my big trip to Italy in May. I was pretty happy, dancing a jig yesterday in the office. What a great day!
But then I realized I had to down to business. In order to make sure this client stays happy with me, I need to make sure my computer will work, my time will be cleared to finish the job in a timely manner, and that my day job and my other clients will also have plenty of time and energy. So a few ideas on what to do next.
1. Take a deep breath. Pencil in the job and began clearing out time for it.
2. Make sure your office is ready to take the job, that your computer will do what it needs to do, and that you know the time it will take.
3. Make sure that you lower your expectations on how long it will take, and add an extra twenty percent.
A good project is really good for the morale, but you’ve got to make sure you can take it on and still keep up with your day job requirements. For me, I know I can, so taking the job was a no-brainer (it fit all of my pre-determined requirements on length, time, and pay). For you, it may require asking the client for some time to think about it. That’s fine. Don’t take on a job thinking you can just jam it in anywhere. I’ve done that before and it’s not fun.
Congratulations! You’re moonlighting! Now, do it well.
