work

Jun

2023

Tips on How To Better Manage Your Time

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Have you ever experienced preparing three to four hours earlier than your designated time of appointment just so you can make it on time only to find out that the person you are meeting will be an hour late? Well, if you live in a place where traffic is bad; unfortunately these things can happen. But is traffic a legitimate excuse? Definitely, traffic should never be used as an excuse. If you live in an area where traffic is a nightmare, then this should already be taken into consideration. We should always respect other people’s time because time is gold not just for you but for others too. Time is precious. By being late, not only are we wasting other people’s precious time; it is also a sign of disrespect. There is a way on how to prevent this thing from happening and that is through time management. Learn some tips on how to better manage your time.

Time is precious because you can never get it back. If you lose money or some things, you can always earn it back. But not time. No matter what you do, you cannot get back the time that has already elapsed unless of course you are brilliant enough to invent a time machine.

Have you ever heard people say that there is so much to do yet so little time?Think about it. Every person on the planet gets exactly 24 hours a day. How come other people are so productive and accomplish so much with their time while others complain of not having enough time?

Time Management

The answer is simple, time management. Time Management is the process of organizing, planning and allotting time for your day-to-day activities. It is managing your time efficiently. It is accomplishing more tasks by working smarter not harder. The most successful people in the world manage their time efficiently.

Tips on How To Better Manage Your Time

Here are some tips on how to better manage your time:

1. Set Some Goals

The first step in time management is to set some goals. Always start with the end in mind. What do you want to accomplish? Write them all down. Arrange them into weekly, monthly and yearly goals. If you don’t have any clear idea on what you want to accomplish, chances are you’ll end up wasting your precious time.

In a Harvard School study done in 1979 to the graduates of Harvard Master’s in Business Administration Program, they found out the following:

84% had 13% had goals but did not write them down on paper
3% had clear written goals

Ten years later in 1989, the interviewers contacted the MBA graduates of the 1979 class and found out that:

13% who had goals but not written, on average, were earning twice as much as 84% of those who had no specific goals
3% who had clear written goals were earning, on average, 10 times as much as the rest of the 97% put together

The study shows not only how important goals are but also the importance of writing them all down on paper. Success always start with a vision. Having a vision board will help in keeping you stay on course.

2. Take 15-30 Minutes To Plan Your Day

The best time to plan your day is the night before you go to sleep or in the morning before you start your day. Do not start your day without a complete plan. Practicing the daily morning habits of highly successful people will also help you start your day right.

3. Prioritize Your Work

Always start with the most important task first. Tasks that need to be accomplished within the day should be given priority. The unimportant tasks can be done later in the day as these can be carried over the next day.

4. Schedule Time For Interruptions

Let’s face it, there will always be interruptions. People are going to talk to you, your cellular phone will ring or you might need to go to a bathroom break while working. So as not to stress yourself, you need to plan for the interruptions. If you think you can finish a report in one hour, block an extra 15 minutes or half an hour in your calendar to accommodate the interruptions. Unless it is an emergency, don’t let the interruptions disrupt your work or your frame of thinking, rather treat it as one task and do them all together in your allotted time.

5. Take a Break After Each Task

Include a 5-10 minute break after each task. Too much stress will take a toll on both your mind and body. This will only lower your productivity level. So, give yourself a break.

6. Put Similar Tasks Together

Schedule similar tasks together. If you need to make several phone calls, schedule them all together. In a similar manner, if you need to attend meetings or clients calls away from the office, schedule all those in one area together. For example, you have a meeting in a certain area, schedule everything that you need to do in that area on that day. Avoid scheduling meetings in different places on one day. Traveling and going through the traffic will only eat up your time.

7. Learn To Say NO

Be honest. Don’t just accept all additional tasks delegated to you especially if you are already overloaded with work. Learn the art of declining politely.

8. Block Out All Distractions

Unless you need it for your business, block out all social media distractions like Facebook or Instagram. There is always a time for everything. Finish your to do list for the day first before checking your social media accounts.

Revised Edition. First published in Pinoy Smart Living on 02.11.2016

Feature Photo by Jeffrey Paa Kwesi Opare

Oct

2022

5 Advantages of Virtual Meetings

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Working from home is now a large part of the new normal. In-person office meetings have now been replaced with virtual meetings using various platforms. Friends and relatives who are in different parts of the world now get connected through virtual hangouts. This concept of remote togetherness is now a normal part of our day-to-day lives and it has several advantages.

1. Saves Time and Money

We all know the hassle and stress of having to travel to and from work; not to mention its impact on our monthly budget. With almost everyone working from home; virtual meetings are now the norm. Now, we are not pressured to setup early morning alarms; to wake-up on time to get to work on time. We also save money because we don’t need to commute anymore. Now, we can have leisurely mornings and actually have more energy for work.

2. More Productivity, Less Anxiety

Our mornings affect our mood and energy for the rest of the day. We usually waken up anxious about getting to work on time. With virtual meetings; we can calmly prepare beforehand. No need to be anxious anymore. No need to be in such a hurry to get to the conference room. By being able to begin our day in a more relaxed way; we are also able to become more focused and productive at work.

3. Enhance Creativity and Collaboration

With less concern on our attires; we can be more focused on the important conversations. Of course we also exchange pleasantries and chat like we usually do before the actual meeting. But because everyone is at home, the atmosphere in virtual meetings is usually more relaxed and even fun. This means members feel more confident to speak up and share their ideas and views. This in turn, encourages more creativity and better collaboration among workmates.

4. Easier to Say “No

One of the most noticeable things in virtual meetings is that it makes it easier to decline an offer or a suggestion. Perhaps, it is because we are not next to the person we are saying “No” to; so it is much easier to refuse them. It may also be due to the fact that we all recognize that we have shifted our priorities. Now that we are always at home; we all understand that our home life and our mental health is what’s most important. Have you noticed this phenomenon too?

5. Eco-Friendly and Healthier

With virtual meetings, we take public transport less and we drive our vehicles less. This means less gas emissions, less noise and air pollution, less traffic stress and less mental anxiety. It is not only eco-friendly, it also allows us to spend more time on the good habits that help us maintain our overall wellness. Now, we don’t have to worry about an ongoing road construction on our route to work. We can still be in touch without having to step out of our safe space.

We are all aware of the benefits of social media. Virtual meetings allows us to engage with each other on a deeper level. Whether for work or just to have a virtual hangout with friends and loved ones; virtual meetings are a great way to stay connected anytime, anywhere. In fact, families have been using it to celebrate together during holidays like Christmas. It is a good tool that should we should maximize to maintain our social wellness.

Feature Image: Photo Photo by Surface on Unsplash.

Jul

2022

Big Fish in a Small Pond or Small Fish in a Big Pond?

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Is it Better to be a big fish in a small pond or small fish in a big pond?

Have you ever experienced being the best in a group? It is nice to have people look up to you. You feel good about yourself. It seems like you are on top of the world. That is until you are faced with a difficult challenge that is too much for you to handle. It is then that you realized that you have no one else to turn to. You have to come up with a solution to the crisis on your own. You have to bear the responsibility for the whole group.

On the other hand, have you ever felt like you are not good enough? You belong to a big organization. There are lots of opportunities available out there. There is a lot of room for personal and professional growth. However, no matter how hard you try, you always seem to be last. Everywhere you look, there are people who are smarter and better than you. You are struggling. You are having a hard time trying to prove yourself to others.

Now, which situation would you rather be? Both scenarios have its advantages and disadvantages.

Big Fish in a Small Pond

If you are a big fish in a small pond, you have limited competition. Your skills and talent will easily be noticed by your peers. It is easy to stand out. Your self-esteem and self-worth will be boosted. If you think positively about yourself, this will ultimately affect your overall performance. However, there will be limited opportunities for growth.

Best-selling author Malcolm Gladwell believes that it is better to be a big fish in a small pond. In his book “David and Goliath”, he states how big ponds have the tendency to demoralize and crush the dreams of individuals while a small organization has the opposite effect.

Small Fish in A Big Pond

If you are a small fish in a big pond, there are lots of opportunities available for you. You will have more resources at your disposal. You will also have a vast network. However, the biggest disadvantage is it is easier to be lost in the crowd. Competition will be tight and you will constantly find yourself trying to catch up and prove yourself to your peers.

Motivational speaker Jim Rohn famously said that you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with. If you belong to a big pond, you will have the opportunity to spend a lot of time with people who are better than you. Hanging out with successful people will make you successful too. Being with them will open your eyes to the way they do things differently. Remember, your network is your net worth. You may be small at first but you have the opportunity to slowly grow and improve yourself.

Which is Better?

The answer is either way. It all depends on the individual. For instance, an introvert will work well in small groups while an extrovert will be more at ease working in a big organization. So, there is really no right or wrong answer. It all depends on you.

So, what do you think? Which scenario is better? What will you choose?

First Published in Pinoy Smart Living 24.04.2019

Feature Photo by FOX

Jun

2022

10 Gadgets That Help You Save Money

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Modern technology has allowed us to do much more than when we didn’t have our electronic gadgets and devices. These devices have become a necessity in our daily lives and we have many options to choose from.

Initially, these gadgets are major expenses. But with a little research, we can make the right gadget choices so we can still enjoy their convenience while saving money in the long run.

Here are 10 gadgets that can help you save money. Some of them will cost you a big chunk of your budget initially when you purchase them, but they will make-up for their cost with the money you save for the months, and even years that you will be using them.

1. Rechargeable Batteries or High-Capacity Power Banks

We all know the inconvenience of running around with a gadget low on power. Having rechargeable batteries or a high-capacity power bank while on the go saves you the hassle of looking for an electrical outlet just to make an important call on your mobile phone. You can also use these devices to charge your gadgets even at home so you don’t need to suck up electricity each time you need to charge your device. The good thing is; there are high-capacity power banks that can power-up more than one device at a time, even your laptop. Some of them even have designs that are cute or sleek so you won’t be too embarrassed lugging them around.

2. LED Lighting

LED lighting are designed to last longer while consuming less electricity. So gradually replace your old light bulbs or fluorescent lights with LED lighting to enjoy a brighter home without the added cost. LED lighting is also available for other home fixtures such as desk lamps. Some even have dimming functions so you can switch between day light and night light; or white light for working and yellow light for reading.

3. Energy Star Appliances

When buying new appliances, be sure to check for the Energy Star logo. According to their website:

ENERGY STAR products are independently certified to save energy without sacrificing features or functionality. Saving energy helps prevent climate change. Look for the ENERGY STAR label to save money on your energy bills and help protect our environment.

This goes for kitchen appliances such as oven toasters, microwave ovens, refrigerators, even washing machines, as well as lighting fixtures like Christmas lights. So be sure to check the labels on the appliance or ask the sales person for products and brands certified with an Energy Star logo. This is one way to save on electricity in your home.

4. Smart Power Strips

One of the biggest energy leaks in the home and office are gadgets that are plugged in but not in use. Many of us often leave our mobile phone chargers still plugged into the electrical socket even if we are not charging our phones.

A smart power strip allows you to turn off the power for a particular gadget without having to pull it out of the socket. So you can just click a button to turn it on again if you need to use your kitchen appliance or to charge your device.

5. Tablet

Tablets can save you energy as well as money. Many of your favorite books have digital versions so instead of carrying around the actual book, you can have easy access to a ton of books as well as audiobooks with just your tablet. This means being able to carry more books with you on a lighter load. You even help save on paper and conserve trees! Plus, you can also carry scanned copies of your important documents with you and do many other things with your tablet that you can do on a desktop and your mobile phone.

6. Laptop

Just like a tablet, a laptop can also help you save money. It can do many of the things that a tablet can do but in a greater volume and capacity. Nowadays, when our busy schedules don’t allow us to sit in front of a TV screen to enjoy our favorite shows, a laptop is a great way to download your favorite videos and watch them later on. Newer laptop models also feature longer battery life and a ton of upgraded functionalities to help you work faster and accomplish more tasks throughout the day.

7. Vacuum Sealer

If you hate wasting food, then vacuum sealers are your best friend. Together with a ziplock bag and your refrigerator, you can extend the life of your favorite foods. You can cook a big batch of home-cooked meals and freeze them for future meals. This is one way to stretch your food budget.

You can also use a vacuum sealer for bagging your baon or bento to work or school. This ensures that you keep your food fresh and lessens the possibility of food spoilage due to bacteria build-up especially in warm temperatures.

8. Blender

Blenders are a great way to cut down on chopping veggies. You can also use a blender to make your morning smoothies for breakfast-on-the-go or to make soups out of your veggies.

You can also preserve food with a blender. For example, you can place a small amount of water into the blender and put in your peeled garlic. Blend for a bit for a course consistency or blend some more for finer pieces. Then store everything in a jar and keep in the fridge. You can just pull-out the jar and scoop out the required amount of garlic for your recipes. Also works with other spices like ginger, turmeric and onion. You can also use olive oil instead of water for herbs like basil, parsley, and other herbs.

9. Food Processor

For even more variety to your recipes, a food processor is a great kitchen companion. It can chop food finer than a blender and mixes ingredients better. You can also use it to make purees of fruits and veggies for baby food, chop vegetables finely as well as some meats for making veggie balls or meat balls and a host of other foods including ice-cream! It’s especially helpful for baking recipes.

10. Efficient Shower Head

You can also save money even as you shower! When shopping for a shower head, make sure to ask the sales person for a low-flow shower head. This type of shower head can save you gallons of water use per year and thus lower your water consumption bills in return.

Start saving more money now starting with these gadgets. There are many more gadgets that can help you save money; just do your research. They will cost much more but the initial investment will be worth the savings in the long run.

Updated. First published on Pinoy Smart Living on 2018.09.26.
Feature Image: Original Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash.

Jun

2022

Signs That You Are Enjoying Occupational Wellness

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Day dreaming in your job instead of working in your dream job? Not all of us may be working in our dream job yet, but we still need to ensure our occupational wellness. Here are some signs that tell us that we are at least enjoying occupational wellness in our work life.

Remember that occupational wellness means “being able to achieve a balance between work and leisure with the freedom to make choices that promote personal satisfaction and career growth.” So the following signs should be taken into consideration with the end goal of achieving work-life balance.

A Sense of Purpose

Your current job may not be your dream job or your life purpose but at least what you are doing in your current job should give you a sense of purpose. You should have a clear understanding of how your work affects other people in your work place and/or outside it. In this way, you have a sense of satisfaction or accomplishment when you do a good job for a project or when you finish your tasks each day.

Developing Your Strengths

Usually, you are hired for the job because you have the skills to fulfill the job responsibilities. However, what you do should also help you hone your skills further through both practical experience and gaining new knowledge. You should have a sense of improvement in your tasks and projects as well as in your relationships with the people you are working with. Being excited to flex your skills and knowledge in your workplace is one of the signs that you are enjoying occupational wellness.

Motivational Challenges

One of the ways to develop your strengths and to gain new knowledge and experience is to tackle on challenges. You may be assigned new tasks or given bigger responsibilities in your job. Special training may be provided you or your company welcomes you taking some time to train yourself outside of work. These are healthy challenges that help you grow in your career. If you have the confidence to tackle the challenge then welcome them with enthusiasm. Be open to the change and the future possibilities that it can bring.

Healthy Communication

A healthy working environment includes clear communication lines. When you are giving a challenge and you think you need help; then you should be able to do so without fear of any repercussions. Being able to talk to both your superiors and subordinates about your job expectations and challenges, as well as toxic workmates and situations, are good signs that you are enjoying occupational wellness in your career. This also means being able to talk about how you want to improve in your job and how your company can support your goal of improvement.

Healthy Boundaries

Your job should allow you to have a life outside of your job. You should be able to spend adequate time with your family and friends while being able to perform well in your job. Your home life should not suffer because of your job and vice versa. Vacations and sick leaves should be treated as such and respected. Unless it’s an emergency; you shouldn’t have to worry about your work while on your family vacation. In the same way; you should be able to focus on your work and not be distracted by your family members unless it’s your break time.

If you think your occupational wellness is suffering; then check out some ways to help you improve your occupational wellness score.

Feature Image: Original Photo by Windows on Unsplash.

May

2022

How To Improve Your Occupational Wellness

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Do you drag yourself to work everyday? Are you doing the job that you want or are you settling for just any job? That’s understandable, after all not all of us have the luxury to do whatever we want to do especially when we are talking about survival. We need to first prioritize meeting our basic needs before anything else. However, staying in that state will be harmful for your overall well-being. Sooner or later, the fatigue will overwhelm you. That’s why it is advisable to slowly make some changes for the better. Here is how to improve your Occupational wellness.

What is Occupational Wellness?

Occupational wellness is being able to achieve a balance between work and leisure. It is having the freedom to make choices that promote personal satisfaction and career growth. Imagine being excited to go to work every morning because you love your work and you enjoy every minute of it. That’s occupational wellness. Having this kind of attitude will greatly affect your overall wellbeing.

How To Improve Your Occupational Wellness

Don’t worry if you are not there yet. You can actually do some little things to help improve your occupational wellness.

1.Don’t Settle

This does not necessarily mean resigning from your job to pursue whatever it is that you want. It simply means having a plan towards your transition. Instead of just settling, stay motivated and continue pursuing what you want.

2. Hone Your Skills

The best preparation that you can make is to increase your knowledge and skills towards your dream job. You can do this through education and experience. Reading books, having a mentor and enrolling in class are just some of the ways that you can hone your skills.

3. Aim for Financial Freedom

Let’s face it. It is difficult to pursue your dream job if your finances are not in place. You need to have money to at least cover the basics. It is fruitless to pursue what you want if you don’t have enough to feed yourself and your family and pay the bills.

4.Be Grateful

If you cannot be happy today, it will be difficult to be happy in the future. Happiness is a state of mind. Start by being grateful for what you have right now. Count your blessings. Focus on the positive.

5.Create Goals

You will be stuck with where you are now if you don’t know where you want to go. So, the best thing to do right now is to start creating your bucket list. Where do you want to go? What do you hope to achieve? And start making a plan based on your goals.

Good luck!

Feature Image by dada313153 from Pixabay

May

2022

The Good and Bad of Working from Home

Reading Time: 3 minutes

A lot of us have been working from home as freelancers, as business owners. There are many benefits to this setup but there are also some downsides. It all depends on your priorities. Here are some of the things that need to be considered when working from home.

Things That Bring Pleasure

MORE SLEEP, LESS TRAFFIC

Working from home allows you to enjoy the whole process of waking up. You don’t have to rush through the morning to prepare for work. Your first meal of the day can be a time for family bonding. No more rushing out the door to catch the bus. No more getting stuck in traffic. You can spend the time to put in some exercise, do some gardening, or even meditate. At night, you can have more time to read a book, write on your journal or watch your favorite show.

MORE TIME FOR SELF CARE

One of the things we forget when we are constantly rushing through our work days is self-care. How many of us have missed our breakfast because we needed to be early for our commute to the office? Working from home allows us time to prepare and actually sit down to a meal. It gives us more time to properly go through our morning and night time beauty routines. We can spend more leisure time at the end of the work day. We can also get more sleep if we want.

MORE TIME FOR WHAT YOU LOVE

Spending time with our loved ones is an essential part of our life. Sadly, our 9-5 jobs for 5 days of the week means that we only spend 2 days with our family or with friends outside of work. Working from home means that we can schedule time in the day for a short chat with the important persons in our lives. We can also schedule time to enjoy working on our favorite hobbies or learning about things that contribute to our intellectual wellness.

Things That Are Bothersome

MORE DISTRACTIONS, LESS FOCUS

One of the things that can be an issue when working from home is the presence of distractions. Because you are sharing space with your family members; it becomes difficult to concentrate on your work. People watching TV or practicing musical instruments may be distracting you from work. You may also end up browsing thru social media instead of doing your job since you don’t have work colleagues around to notice you. In this situation, you may become more prone to procrastination too.

BLURRED BOUNDARIES

Having your own work space is an important consideration when working from home too. People may feel free to bother you even during your work time. On the other hand, your boss or team mates may be messaging or calling you about work even before or beyond your work hours. This may even happen during your non-working days. There are even cases where people are being given more work because it is assumed that they have more time since they are just at home.

TECHNICAL FRUSTRATIONS

Working from home means that you should be available online during your working hours. However, this setup can sometimes be frustrating. Aside from distraction issues; you also have to contend with technical issues. Your internet connection may be fluctuating; you may have video on your virtual meeting but no audio, or the other way around. There are many other technical frustrations that we really can’t do anything about. Not to mention there are technologies that we need to learn in this new setup.

Maintaining Work-Life Balance

The good and bad of working from home can be managed by maintaining work-life balance. Just like any dimension in life; you must have the discipline to manage your tasks throughout the day. You must be able to prioritize and allocate your time productively. This is important to achieve occupational wellness. This way, you are able to give the best in your job while having the time to enjoy the benefits of working from home.

Feature Image: Original Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash.

Oct

2021

Is it Better to be A Generalist or Specialist?

Reading Time: 3 minutes

In today’s world, is it better to be a generalist or a specialist? If you are a newly graduate or in the early stages of your career; you are probably at a crossroad and wondering which career path to choose. Which one is better? Which will pay more? What path will help you become more successful in your career? Actually, even if you are already well into your career; it is a question that you probably asked yourself at least once, on whether or not you made the right choice. But before we go on any further, it is best to understand first what it is to become a generalist or a specialist for that matter.

Specialists

A specialist is someone who is an expert in a specific field. They have an in-depth understanding of a particular occupation or field of study. More often than not, specialists took further training or studies in that specific field. For example, a cardiologist is a specialist doctor who focuses on the heart and the blood vessels.

Why Take Up a Specialization?

There are many benefits to specialization but the most obvious advantage is that you become highly skilled and proficient in a specific field. It increases your productivity and output resulting to overall improved performance. With your refined skills, you are actually providing more value to your employer making it harder for them to replace you. You become more competitive with your highly specialized skills. So, more often than not, it leads to higher earnings. As a bonus, it also leads to increased respect from your peers and co-workers.

However, the drawback is that since specialists normally expect higher earnings, there are fewer job openings because not many companies can afford to hire a specialist. There is also the risk of being obsolete especially in the field of technology wherein major advancement and innovation are happening daily. On a personal note, since specialists will be doing the same kind of task over and over again; there is a risk of burn-out or boredom. Thus, it is not recommended for everyone. At the very least, taking up a specialization should be a matter of choice. Rather than taking up something that is in demand, one should instead consider one’s interests and career goals.

Generalists

On the other hand, a generalist is someone who knows a lot of skills. He is someone who is knowledgeable about a lot of topics. Because of this, they have a broader approach on looking at things. And more often than not, have the ability to see the bigger picture. Thus, generalists tend to have a wider and loosely-defined role in an organization.

Why Is It Good to Be A Generalist?

Because generalists can see the bigger picture, they have the ability to think out-of-the-box. This skill is needed most specially in a fast-changing environment. They can easily see the interconnectedness of things and find solutions in things where a specialist might miss. Thus, generalists often become leaders and managers in organizations. Their skill sets are transferable and can be applied regardless of what department they are leading.

However, generalists are said to be “a jack of all trades, master of none.” Because of this, generalists normally lack an in-depth understanding of things and may only see the surface. This is crucial because in some cases, the missing information that the generalist might overlook can be vital to the success of the project. Although generalists tend to have more job offers than specialists, the job security is not as stable. After all, it is easy to replace a generalist.

Is it Better to be A Generalist or A Specialist?

The answer depends on the individual. You can be successful either as a specialist or generalist. If you are one of the lucky few who already knows what they want to do early in life; it is a good idea to be a specialist in that specific field. You will gain success and recognition if you unleash your genius and live your purpose in life. But what to do if you don’t know what you wan t? Then be a generalist.

Feature Photo by Ann H from Pexels

Apr

2021

Get Out of The Rat Race

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Do you want to get out of the rat race? Do you know the reasons why you are stuck in the rat race? People stuck in the rat race don’t even realize it. Most people have accepted this situation as their fate. They have become resigned to living with the situation for the rest of their lives. They are teaching the same belief to their children as well. The bad thing is; they believe that there is no escape. Actually, there is a way out; they just haven’t taken the time to learn about it.

What is the Rat Race?

Have you heard the term “the daily grind”? People use this term to describe the rat race. The rat race is the constant struggle of going to work to pay your bills. Your salary is never enough, you borrow some more, you work harder to pay more. Your hard work makes your company rich. The company doesn’t do anything to help you as you continue to struggle to make ends meet. The struggle only gets more difficult as the days go on. This cycle is similar to a hamster running on his wheel. No matter how fast it runs, it doesn’t go anywhere.

Are You in the Rat Race?

The rat race is where we usually go to after graduation. We start to work and we enjoy working. Earning our own money makes us feel independent. After some time, we see and feel the signs of being stuck in the rat race.

Devaluation – You work hard for a fixed hourly or daily rate. Extra work is minimally compensated or recognized.
Repetition – You do the same thing every day and you derive no satisfaction from it.
Justification – You keep coming up with excuses for staying in your job.
Boredom – You can’t wait to do something else.
Disconnection – You don’t feel that your work contributes to any significant difference in other person’s lives or your own.
Drawing Board Syndrome – Your plans to take a leave from work never pushes thru.
Lifestyle Creep – Any minimal increase in your compensation/salary leads to lifestyle creep. You end up burdened with more debt.

The vicious cycle of the “daily grind” is what it’s like to be in the rat race. If you can figure out why you are stuck; you are in a good place to start transforming your life.

In his popular book Rich Dad, Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki describes the rat race as a situation where individuals “work for the owners of their company, for the government paying taxes, and for the bank paying off mortgage and credit cards.”

Why Are You Stuck in The Rat Race?

Most of us have parents who have been stuck in the rat race. This makes it seem almost impossible to get out of it. The rat race is a cycle that provides a false sense of security. Here are some reasons why you feel secure in your current job; and why you can’t seem to get out of your current lifestyle.

Your job offers you a monthly income. This provides you the money to support yourself and your family’s needs.
You want to keep up your government contributions to maximize your retirement pension.
You’re putting your dream job on the shelf. Your reasons include: (a) it doesn’t fit in with your current job, (b) it will take special training which you don’t have the money or the time to spare at the moment, and (c) it is not guaranteed that you will succeed in it.
You want to start a business. You need to do and learn many things. Raising funds is necessary to start.
You want to create extra income and save money to invest. Work prevents you from having extra time or energy for a side job.
Your work and salary doesn’t leave room for you to volunteer or support a charity, a friend or a loved one.
You have plans to get a house and/or a car in the future. You have to take care of tuition fees first, loans and other expenses.

These are just some of the most common excuses we tell ourselves which is causing us to stay in the rat race. These thoughts usually interrupt our plans for change.

Fear is Keeping You Stuck

One common factor in these thoughts or excuses is fear. We all fear failure. No one wants to feel rejected. We don’t want to disappoint the expectations of our family and friends. We all fear that things won’t work out in the end.

All these fears had been instilled in us by our parents. Their parents did the same. Fear stems from doubts. Your doubts grow into fears. Fear of what if’s is what paralyses you from doing something to change your situation. The best way to combat doubt is to stop it right at the start by learning.

Get Your Self Unstuck

Most of us adults have lost our curiosity as children. Curiosity is an important component to learning new things. The best way to combat doubt and fear is to educate yourself and your loved ones. Learn what options you have to get yourselves out of the rat race. You don’t always have to stay where the money is. There are other ways to achieve financial freedom.

Start educating yourself by learning from those who have already succeeded. You can start incorporating positive morning habits into your daily routine. Financial literacy is very important to create a better life for yourself and your loved ones. Start managing your finances better. Learn and apply a budgeting system. Tailor your budget to your circumstances. Learn more about how to reboot your finances so you can get out of the rat race.

Updated. First published on Pinoy Smart Living on 2018.08.15.
Feature Image: Original Image by Brian Merrill from Pixabay.

Dec

2020

Home-Based Business Ideas

Reading Time: 5 minutes

People have worked on many home-based business ideas during their isolation. Some have even decided to make it their full-time income source and not go back to their regular jobs. After all, having a home-based business while taking care of the kids does require all your attention.

If you’re thinking what business you can do from home as a sideline, or as a full-time job; here are some ideas you can consider. Keep in mind that you need to embrace going digital to fully enjoy this experience.

1. Freelance Writer

If you have a knack for writing, then you can earn from your skill. As a freelance writer, you should be able to write about any topic and in different formats too. Some research is involved to source your information.

You should be able to write in different POVs (points of view) as well as tone and style. Writing for a fashion magazine will need a different style than writing an article on a business website. You may be tasked to write some technical stuff too. If you love writing challenges like this, then you will enjoy this job. Just remember to avoid procrastination so you don’t miss your deadlines.

There are specialized writing jobs that you can offer if you have more experience in these fields.

Content Writing
Copy Writing
Grant Writing
Researching / Fact Checking
Translation Services

2. Social Media Specialist

Everyone is on social media these days. If you enjoy spending time in those platforms; then this job can be your sideline or full-time hustle. First, you need to be active on these platforms yourself and build an audience of your own. Then you can offer your services to potential clients.

As a social media specialist, your main job is to build your client’s online presence on different social media platforms. You can be provided these materials or create your own. Scheduling what content to publish on which channels is an important part of the job. You will be helping your clients create a strategy for pushing their content to their audience in the different channels to meet their business goals.

You may also be tasked to reply to queries on these channels. Inform yourself thoroughly of your client’s business, offerings and processes in handling their customers’ concerns so you can respond appropriately.

3. Web Designer

Was your previous job designing websites or is that a side hustle of yours? This is one of those home-based business ideas that costs you nothing but will fully satisfy your passion for creating.

First, you need to have your own website. Showcase your portfolio of web design projects so your potential clients can see what you can do. Have a brief description about each project to show what businesses you’ve worked with.

Display your self-designed business card on your website, as well as your other design projects, if you want to offer your clients a design package.

If you wan’t to specialize in a different field of design, then here are some home-based business ideas to consider:

Graphic Design
Digital Prints
Illustration
Theme Designs (e.g., for WordPress and other similar platforms)
T-Shirt Design

4. Video Editor & Music Composer

Are you good at creating videos or making music? Get yourself known by publishing some of your creations and attracting your audience. Create a YouTube or Vimeo account where you can display your projects for potential clients to spot. This is one of those home-based business ideas that you can do at your own pace. If you’re a night owl, then this job is perfect for you.

For video editors, it helps to see what’s viral on YouTube and create your own version. Or you could go as basic as editing a dance or music video of you and your friends having a good time. Or maybe offer to edit a wedding video for one of your colleagues who is getting married.

As a music composer, you can provide music for music or dance videos, as well as ad jingles. You could publish a recording of your gig as a DJ. Or why not publish a whole album of your music creations online? You can offer some of your compositions free for download so your audience gets a taste of your work.

5. Private Tutor / Trainer

One of the ways to gain a greater understanding of your skill or talent is by sharing your knowledge. Or if you’ve always wanted to teach but didn’t end up as a teacher, then tutoring online is your next best option.

As a tutor, you can specialize in one subject. You can teach writing basics, video editing, music composition, playing the guitar, drawing, etc. Tutoring students in academic subjects is also a much-needed service nowadays.

You can also teach adults. Business people may need someone to teach them how to improve their PowerPoint presentations or how to do basic accounting. You can also talk to businesses about how they can make their brand known to more people if you’re a social media specialist.

6. Online Seller

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. If you’ve got things in your home that you’ve never used but are still in good condition, then why not sell them online. Use your social media channels to start selling.

If you have a jewelry-making hobby, know how to sew clothes, love crocheting, sell them online. Sell your creations and get even more inspired to create more of the things you are passionate about. You can sell your art, photographs and paintings.

Sell to your friends and colleagues and have them pay for shipping costs. You can also sell other people’s stuff for them on a consignment basis. They will send you their stuff, you will display it for your customers, and you pay them only when the item has been sold off.

You can also sell specialty items. If you love specialty items that you know your customers will also love, then find a supplier who sells these items. Buy them in bulk so you get them at a cheaper price and sell them per piece. You can also do drop shipping instead.

7. Gardener

If you have a green thumb, then your plants will bring you extra income. Check out what indoor plants are popular and grow those in your garden. Search for groups that are dedicated to gardening and offer your plants there.

Sell your plants to plantitas and plantitos. Offer tips on how to care for them so you can always keep in touch with your customers. Share videos of you tending to your plants to build your brand even more.

As you’re starting out, don’t forget to show your plants and yourself in the best light. Invest in cute and pretty pots for your plants. Get some pretty accessories such as an elegant looking watering can to add a nice touch to your photos or videos. You can even sell these accessories too.

These are just some of the home-based business ideas that you can try to create extra income. They are all low-cost and can be done online, on your own. All you need is your computer, a good Internet connection, your own workspace, a bit of digital savvy, and the passion to continue learning. Your clients will surely notice you and appreciate your dedication to your new business.

Feature Image: Original Photo by Anthony Shkraba from Pexels.