This week’s post will be extra short. It’s late, and we’ve been busy celebrating Christmas and trekking all over the United States to see family. I just didn’t want the streak to be broken, and we’re at 40 weeks now, which is no small thing. I hope everyone who had a joyful Christmas (if you celebrate.) And for those celebrating other holidays this time of year (Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, or something I’ve missed,) I hope you enjoy a wonderful time of food, friends, family, and fun. As we wind down 2023 and look forward to 2024, I hope you look on with excitement for good things to come.
Encouragement
I have no idea what 2024 holds. I’m not one for resolutions or predictions. Here’s what I am hoping for, though:
- A return to a more normal tech industry (reasonable hiring and growth.)
- A gentle recession (if any) that doesn’t cut too deeply, given how many are already hurting.
- Incredible new opportunities for everyone who was laid off that perfectly utilize their skills.
Mistakes were made
People keep asking whether I’m enjoying the contracting work, but one area I’ll need to better plan for if I’m gong to do this long term (e.g. beyond 2024,) is planning for holidays. I’m unsure whether I should plan my holidays and announce them to my clients ahead of time (with a commensurate rate cut that period,) or just get extra work done ahead of time and/or afterward to address the downtime, or something else. Whatever it is, I know that I need that downtime and I have to plan for it. This week has been a much lighter week on the whole—lots of family meals, gift exchanges, and travel, which ate into the time for work. I am looking forward to getting back into the deep work the New Year inevitably brings.
Fun
Happy New Year everyone!