Used to take every rush job for double pay now I say no even at triple rate

Back in 2022 I took a web design gig from a guy in Austin who needed a full site in 48 hours. Paid $3,000 which felt like winning the lottery. Spent 32 straight hours awake, delivered it, and the guy changed his mind on everything three weeks later. Now I just tell people no even when they offer 3x my normal rate. The money sounds great until you realize you're just paying for your own burnout. Anybody else learned to stop chasing the big rush paychecks?

3 comments

3 Comments

flores.mark12d ago

Man that story hits close to home. I remember taking a rush logo redesign once for double pay and ended up redoing the whole thing four times because the client kept shifting goals. The worst part is when you finally crash after the rush and realize you missed out on sleep, time with family, and your own sanity just to hit someone else's deadline. It took me a few of those before I learned my lesson too. Do you ever find yourself warning other freelancers about this trap or just let them figure it out on their own?

kevin_williams12d ago

@flores.mark oh believe me, I've tried warning people. Usually just get a "yeah but this client is different" look back at me. My go to advice now is just a solid "good luck with that" and a knowing nod. Learned the hard way that most folks have to crash and burn at least once before they get it. Kind of like how I still touch the hot pan in the kitchen even though I know better. The really funny part is I've done the exact same thing you described with the shifting goals more times than I can count. At this point I figure I'm just paying my idiot tax to the universe.

vera_green6912d ago

Idiot tax" - I prefer "stupid fee" but you do you.