Give up (sometimes)

Let's say you have what you initially consider a hot lead on a 1099 gig.

You had a good conversation with the prime, you have a verbal agreement on the rate, and they promise to get your paperwork submitted in a few weeks.

After a few weeks you don't hear anything, you politely follow up.

The PM says things are moving a little slow but to be patient.

Then after a few more weeks nothing else happens so you follow up again.

Same excuse.

You're beginning to get frustrated and have already been planning on how you're going to do with all that extra money and free time.

What do you do next?

I recommend giving up ... on this opportunity.

After more than a few months, something probably happened that killed the opportunity.

You're just torturing yourself by continuing to hope this deal will go through.

What you should do instead, is to continue to pursue other leads. Don't get hung up one particular one, even if it seems like it's going through. It's not a done deal until you have a signed sub-contract and a start date so until that point, keep pursuing other opportunities.

Giving up is sometimes, the smart thing to do.

Want the full playbook? Check out Going 1099.