[mvindahl]

At one time I was contracting at a place where every process was broken, from IT to management to testing. It wasn't really a place that attracted talented developers. There were a some developers that were talented and a lot which were mediocre or had given up along the way. Development progressed at the pace of syrup. They paid on time, though.

Anyway, being a professional, I put in my hours and did my best to contribute until the contract ran out. But I also stuck a post-it note to the bottom of my screen with my all-time favourite Polish phrase: "Nie mój cyrk, nie moje małpy". Literally: "Not my circus, not my monkeys.". I.e. the inherent brokenness wasn't my problem to fix.

[tonyedgecombe]

It's a much easier to remain detached when you are a contractor, you just need to remember you won't be there in a month or two.

[maxxxxx]

When I was contractor and had to sit through stupid meetings I always looked at my watch and thought "Here is another $20, here is another" and so on. It's cynical but makes it much more bearable.