Just be faster

The government is slow. Like real slow. Its employees are slow, and so are a lot of contractors.

If you can just be a little faster, you'll look impressive.

For example, I just started onboarding onto a new project and the account set up process has many steps requiring annoying phone calls to the help desk and submitting various forms.

A normal pace for a contractor is to stretch this out over a week.

I did most of this in a day.

The client noticed and mentioned to a colleague I was a "go getter." I haven't even done any real work!

This says more about the government than it does about my abilities, but it just goes to show it doesn't take a lot to stand out in this industry.

Just move faster than a turtle and you'll look like a rockstar.

Want the full playbook? Check out Going 1099.