Many times in consulting, it is easy to get caught up in “the hourly rate” as being the most important consideration when taking a contract. I myself have, at times, turned down the opportunity to persue a contract simply because the rate did not meet my minimum expectations, despite how exciting and enticing the actual work sounded.

Last month, I worked at a place that was at least 80 kilometers (50 miles) from my home. It would take me about 45 minutes (driving quite fast) to get there in the morning, and another 45 minutes to 1 hour to get home.

My latest contract is 6 minutes from my home. The driving distance is about 1 mile, or 2 kilometers. Living in a big city, it is easy to become accustomed to 1 hour commutes. Only when you start doing a 6 minute commute on a regular basis do you realize the insanity of it.

Of course, I might change my mind if the price was right...