Client says my memory is poor, and I'm too slow

[KentPhilip]

I've been at my current client for 12 months, and working on a project under a new-to-the-company project manager for the past three. He told me today that I was working too slow, and that my memory was poor, such that he had to remind me of what had been discussed. He said if I didn't improve I'd be out.

I have to say this is the first direct attack on my working abilities for many years. That is not to say that I am not and was not as bad as he implies in recent contracts (my average contract length is around 9 months, which I think is quite a short period of time). It's just that clients normally end the contract rather than criticize the contractor, in my experience.
He does have a point though - for some reason my work output is down, the project is rather dull and uninspiring, and my web usage at the client site is quite high.

Any thoughts on this?

I appreciate, though, that posting this in General means I'll be copping plenty of abuse. So bring it on

Do any of you know anything about the science of motivation, and whether you can take steps to improve it yourself? Or is it best to get out.

Thanks!

[speling bee]

I've been at my current client for 12 months, and working on a project under a new-to-the-company project manager for the past three. He told me today that I was working too slow, and that my memory was poor, such that he had to remind me of what had been discussed. He said if I didn't improve I'd be out.

I have to say this is the first direct attack on my working abilities for many years. That is not to say that I am not and was not as bad as he implies in recent contracts (my average contract length is around 9 months, which I think is quite a short period of time). It's just that clients normally end the contract rather than criticize the contractor, in my experience.
He does have a point though - for some reason my work output is down, the project is rather dull and uninspiring, and my web usage at the client site is quite high.

Any thoughts on this?

I appreciate, though, that posting this in General means I'll be copping plenty of abuse. So bring it on

Do any of you know anything about the science of motivation, and whether you can take steps to improve it yourself? Or is it best to get out.

Thanks!

Which party did you stand for in the elections?

[mudskipper]

We still love you.

[TestMangler]

Try the following:

1. Get your tulip together you lazy twat.

2. MTFU and get your work done.

There you go. Simples.

[EternalOptimist]

we discussed this with you before, have you forgot

[vwdan]

I tend to reach this point when I've been doing the same thing in the same place for too long - I always leave before people actually notice that I've got bored, though. The problem is, the longer it goes on, the harder it is to motivate yourself to do anything, even when it's to your detriment.

I'm from permie world, though - so this is normally after 2 - 3 years.

[doodab]

Sounds like he wants to replace you with an EU immigrant

What sort of hours are you working? When did you last have a holiday?

[Mich the Tester]

Do any of you know anything about the science of motivation, ...

Yes, all four letters of the Giant Compendium of Motivation and Gumption. MTFU!

[KentPhilip]

we discussed this with you before, have you forgot

har har har

Sounds like he wants to replace you with an EU immigrant

That would be karma, I guess

I tend to reach this point when I've been doing the same thing in the same place for too long - I always leave before people actually notice that I've got bored, though. The problem is, the longer it goes on, the harder it is to motivate yourself to do anything, even when it's to your detriment.

I'm from permie world, though - so this is normally after 2 - 3 years.

Well I could just leave, I guess. And I can afford to. But I just feel like a lazy beggar for bailing out of what is, on the face of it, a nice and easy contract. If other people can "hack" working 8*5*42 weeks/year without getting demotivated, why can't I?

[stek]

I don't remember ever being told I have a poor memory.