Freelancers - Who Moved My Cheese?

Freelancers, Who moved my cheese?

I am sure you have read the book by Spencer Johnson, if not, click here to read. Now, back to my blog. As a freelancer, we encounter situations to find the unfathomable ‘Change’.

Would it not be easy if -

You have a map to guide you through your freelance career?

The same old routine worked wonders – each time and every time?

You did not have to face change, at all?

As a freelancer, we know, Change is inevitable and constant. Our work requirements, work, everything changes.

Situations You Will Face as a Freelancer

• No work or it isn’t coming as it did. (Double your marketing efforts.)
• A client criticizes your work. (Find out what your client needs.)
• Industry changes. (You are still eating old cheese, and not enjoying its taste.)
• A project requires teamwork. (Even if you love to work alone, sometimes, you may need a team to meet your client requests.)
• Sudden expenses, more work. (Emergencies can happen, and you may need to take on more work.)

As a Freelancer, What Attitude Do You Need?

Here are five good attitudes every freelancer needs:

• Confidence.
• Determination.
• Optimism.
• Loyalty.
• Reliability.

Now, that you know what type of attitude you need, work towards developing them. It will bring you closer to success.

How to Improve Your Attitude?

• Focus on the good.
• Deal with things and move on. Do not gripe.
• Avoid complainers and negative people.
• Read and program your mind with positivity.
• Mind your health.

If work – cheese - is important, you will hold on to it. We often become complacent. 

But, Change Happens, someone keeps moving the ‘cheese’. You can become extinct if you do not change. Am I instilling fear? Yes, sometimes fear can be good. It keeps you moving, even to unknown territories. Fear prompts action. It makes you hustle.

You must Anticipate Change and get ready for the cheese to move. How do you anticipate change? Watch around and look for slow signs. Are you finding new clients? New work? Trust your instincts, they are your guide. Stop, evaluate, and act. Make small changes that make a big difference.

Monitor Change to Anticipate Change. Smell the cheese often so you know when it is getting old. Keep a watch, check yourself, and your work. Are you offering anything new? Get going, add some freshness to your work. Learn new skills and improve on your work every day.

Adapt To Change Quickly. The quicker you let go of old cheese, the sooner you can enjoy new cheese. If you have old less paying clients, let go of them so you can find new ones. When your work is not paying you enough, look for other things to do.

Sometimes, you may progress by two steps and move back one step. That is okay. You will face challenges. Moreover, nothing comes for free and this will add some fun to your daily routine. And, you will realise it’s not that bad at all, to look for new work, something you have not tried.

When discouraged, take charge, and do not wait for things to happen. They may never. And if you feel like giving up, is it only because you are afraid to move?

Think about this, what would you do if you were not afraid at all? Stay, not act, and get old. So, it is better to admit ‘your fear’. Are you afraid of going on alone? Or afraid of what lay ahead?

Fear will only make things worse. Take a deep breath, invigorate yourself. Stop being afraid. You will feel good, as you have nothing to lose. And move in a new and different direction.

Imagine, yourself enjoying the new cheese, it will lead you to it. Aha! Law of attraction works, indeed. The more you imagine, getting new work and clients, the more believable, it will get. Imagine your ‘gain’ rather than what you will ‘lose’.

Remember, Change will lead you to something better, so move with the cheese. You must try out different things. Try new work and get better at it. But, Be Ready To Change Quickly and Enjoy It Again. Do not settle down with the new cheese. Why? Because they keep moving the cheese.

Look for opportunities that bring change and enjoy the change! Savour the adventure of new work, clients and enjoy the taste of new cheese! What would you do if your cheese moved? Share your thoughts.

Discover Ways to Hustle Successfully

 

Discover ways to hustle successfully

“Things may come to those who wait, but only the things left by those who hustle.” - Abraham Lincoln

“Hustle” carries a distinct energy. It means different things to different people. I hustle every day only in pursuit of happiness. If you are hustling you are motivating, inspiring, and captivating. A lot of people hustle and burn out. They eventually stop hustling or making progress.

To get there, where you want, you need to hustle. If you like to be more successful, discover how to hustle with these ten habits.

1. Don’t half-ass two things, whole-ass one thing. Even if they are handling several long-term projects at a time, they devote time passionately to the tasks at hand.
2. Building a sustainable business is by caring for people and helping them by offering valuable and innovative solutions to relevant problems.
3. Eliminate distractions that serve no purpose. Highly effective hustlers know refreshing their Facebook feed will not help build their business. They identify time-wasting and least satisfying activity and eliminate them premeditatedly. This includes unsubscribing from unnecessary emails, disabling text notifications, silencing their phone, and watching television.
4. Don’t stress out about making mistakes. Highly effective hustlers know that failure teaches them to be successful. They can get ahead in spite of the occasional mistakes.
5. Strive to improve continuously every day. Personal growth is important to avoid the state of monotony as it stagnates progress. Monotony kills their passion and inspiration for their hustle.
6. Dream larger than life. Highly effective hustlers often pursue ideas bigger than themselves. They often remind themselves, “If it was meant to be easy, everybody would do it.” when they are stressed-out or doubt their judgment.
7. Build a solid network for success with at least one mentor willing to offer guidance. Mentors give an occasional push in the right direction. Their network comprising of like-minded friends helps share their ideas with other people in order to get feedback on it.
8. Be a strategist and foresee the outcome. Highly effective hustlers are outstanding strategists capable of foreseeing the outcome of their actions. They prepare themselves for everything that life throws at them.
9. Embrace total authenticity. They embrace everything about themselves, including the awkward or weird. Effective hustlers create a genuine, unique and special emotional connection with everyone they work with.
10. Do not quit or surrender. Highly effective hustlers follow the mantra, “You don’t lose until you quit, so don’t quit.” Success is not “quick” or “easy” and so they practice patience and let go of the need for instant gratification.

I hope you discover ways to hustle and achieve your goals successfully with these habits. Tell me which of these ways do you plan to put into practice. If you are thinking of a side hustle then here are a few lesser-known and well-known ideas(100+) Do you do anything differently? Happy hustling!

Recommendation
Read the book 'High Performance Habits' by Brendon Burchard. It is about the art and science of how to cultivate and practice these proven habits.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on one and complete a purchase, I will earn a commission. (Thank you for that!). However, this monetary relationship does not in anyway sway my recommendations, it’s something you should be aware of on this site and others online. As always, you should do your own due diligence before making any purchase decision.

5 Little-known Side-hustle Ideas

5 Little-known side hustle ideas

Are you looking for a way to make some extra cash? A side hustle is an asset that works for you. It allows you the flexibility to pursue what you’re passionate about like a chance to delve into fashion, shoes, or gaming without quitting your day job. In my previous post, I have shared more than 100 side hustle ideas (click to read).

In this post, I will share with you little-known side hustles ideas to help you make extra cash, especially if you have no ideas or sell-able skills. It does not require much of your time as they work for you all the time.

My first little-known side hustle is called service arbitrage. You can find freelance services in-demand that are offered at a low price on freelancing websites to individual freelancers. Market the services to businesses that need it. Once you are successful in getting a sale, hire the freelancers to deliver the work for you.

You will make money by quoting a higher price to your clients than your freelancers and pocket the price difference as your profit. This is a variant of freelancing. You are outsourcing the work to other freelancers instead of working yourself.

All you need is marketing skills or an expertise in an area to turn it into a service that you can offer yourself on the side to earn some extra cash. You can read about Service arbitrage business here. It shows a step-by-step system you can follow to launch your service arbitrage business.

Here is another one - Online Arbitrage via Amazon FBA. It is an online variant of the service arbitrage. You can easily take advantage of it. Simply find the products in demand like accessories on Amazon for a lower price at retailers such as Walmart, Target, etc and purchase them in bulk.

Sell them on Amazon; it will manage everything for you including customer inquiries, refunds, and returns for orders on Amazon marketplaces, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. This simple flipping can earn you at least a 6-figure income. It’s simple and easier than a garage sale. Click here for a complete guide to Online Arbitrage by Nate McCallister that will help you make more money on Amazon.

Now, if you are someone who likes doing nothing here is one more. Collect old, unwanted things from people, do the necessary patch-work and sell it at a higher rate. You do not need to shell a single penny for the product. Modify old and torn clothes to sell it online or offline. Most new trends are actually old trends (well, most of the time).

In an office, you must have noticed unused toner cartridges, imaging units, drum kits etc. piling up in the storage. You can choose to return them or sell toner cartridges for fast cash. They have quick service and the payout is up to $300 per toner.

Here is a fun side-hustle. You can be a game tester (click link) and earn $7 - $9 per game for your opinion. It only takes less than 30 minutes. Though it is not a massive amount of cash, it is fun.

If you love designing or drawing, then you will like this one. It is an online print-on-demand (POD) service, as on TeeSpring, Redbubble, and Merch (managed by Amazon). Simply upload your artwork, product type, and color, price it, and add a product description. amazon will create a product page for you and when a customer buys your product on Amazon, they handle the production, shipping, and customer service with no upfront costs.

Aren't these simply amazing and little-known side hustles? Keep visiting for more ideas, you never know what I will come up with. If you have any, share them with me. Until then you can read 100+ side hustle ideas.

65+ Amazing Side Hustle Ideas

Are you looking for ways to earn a few extra bucks with a side hustle? You'd likely encounter many strategies to mint money. Some sound like quick 'rich schemes'. But there is really no easy way out. You must hustle and bustle.

You may want to side hustle for various reasons:

• Get out of debt
• Pay bills
• Save for college
• Save for vacation
• Extra spending money
• Pay off student loans
• Pay off your mortgage faster

Today, you can leverage the internet to making money. It is no longer a constant and never-ending struggle. Most of these ideas here on the list don’t need a huge investment or a highly specialized skill-set. However, in your spare time, they have the potential to earn you some extra income. Anyone can do it.

If you have not come up with any ideas to side hustle. Here is a list of well-known side hustles - online and offline.

1. Affiliate marketing.
2. Baker.
3. Be a blogger.
4. Drive for a transportation network company like Ola or Uber.
5. Rent your space on Airbnb or any other online rental platform.
6. Beauty consultant with Jafra, MayKay, Oriflame.
7. Sell electronic parts and any used gadgets.
8. Be a local craft vendor or online.
9. Sell perishable goods like cookies, jams, and pickles.
10. Sell products on eBay or Etsy.
11. Be a magazine writer.
12. Run errands on TaskRabbit or Fiverr.com.
13. Be a virtual assistant.
14. Pet sitting (check Rover).
15. Babysitting.
16. Be a DJ if you love music.
17. Catering or a personal chef (join HireAChef).
18. Be a mystery shopper for stores.
19. Caregiving.
20. Product review writer.
21. Personal Shopper (like in the movie 'In Her Shoes').
22. Offer organizing/cleaning services.
23. Dog/Pet Trainer.
24. Write a business proposal.
25. Doula service.
26. Massage service.
27. Furniture making service.
28. Ghostwriting service.
29. Accounting/ Bookkeeping service for small businesses.
30. Build niche websites.
31. Junk hauling services (if you own a truck).
32. Medical transcription.
33. Modelling.
34. Online survey.
35. Click photographs and sell online.
36. Photography service.
37. Video making service.
38. Car wash service.
39. Car flipping service.
40. Proofreading.
41. Assemble a computer.
42. Computer tutoring.
43. Investment management services.
44. Create an e-learning course (Udemy or Teachable).
45. Tutor on Skype.
46. Sports umpire.
47. Teach a language.
48. Counsel on Skype.
49. Grooming services (people/pets).
50. Personal trainer (weight loss, fitness, grooming).
51. Resume writer.
52. Tour guide.
53. Start peer-to-peer lending service or join one like Lendingclub.
54. Teach driving/ music lessons/ yoga (anything you are good at).
55. Teach online or with pre-recorded lectures.
56. Web Designing/ Logo designing/ business card designing.
57. Food Taster (read here).
58. Deliver goods/products/drugs (medication).
59. Scriptwriter.
60. Social media manager for small businesses.
61. Part-time retail job.
62. Theme-party planner/manager.
63. Get paid to answer professional questions.
64. Do home renovations or decorating.
65. Real estate agent.
66. Intra-trade (requires you to invest and generate income).
67. Investing
68. Be a brand ambassador.

Get more side hustle ideas here.

Recommendation:
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on one and complete a purchase, I will earn a commission. (Thank you for that!). However, this monetary relationship does not in anyway sway my recommendations, it’s something you should be aware of on this site and others online. As always, you should do your own due diligence before making any purchase decision.

Inspire yourself with these 10 real-world examples (in this book) of how regular people just like you and Nick Loper are earning side hustle income outside of traditional employment. Many have even turned these part-time ventures into full-time businesses.

Here is another book by Chris Gullibeau, with a detailed roadmap that will show you how to select, launch, refine, and make money from your side hustle in under a month. Read, What If It Does Work Out? by life coach and professional side-hustler Susie Moore, who offers expert tips and guidance to help you earn an extra source of income by doing something you love.

Some of the ideas have links you can visit to get more information. I intend to update this list often. Hope this helps.

If your idea is not here on this list, I encourage you to help me add yours. Leave a comment and get your creative juices flowing.

Oh nothing! Just Hustling in Pursuit of Happiness

Why side hustle?

What’s a Side Hustle?

Everyone hustles (well, almost everyone!), but side hustle? This is new, and not so new. A side hustle may be something you are passionate about or a way to start your future business until it grows. It is a secondary revenue generator for your day job. And, everyone must have a side hustle. 

On weekends, Shawn teaches fitness and build websites. Francis sells vintage video games, he also designs t-shirts. I work as a part-time freelance writer for the internet. Even senior executives in a corporate, side hustle. Today, many of them consider one side income stream while staying in their corporate jobs.

How does a side hustle help?

Irrespective of how much you make a side hustle helps:

• Reduce stress
• Gives a sense of freedom
• Make you happier (well in comparison to your job, I mean).
• Generate revenue - Anything can be a side hustle if you plan well; they may be low maintenance but high revenue generators.
• Hedge against uncertainties - Today, few jobs are available for an ever-growing population. Globally, the job competition is getting difficult and positions are harder to find. Side hustle works as a perfect backup plan.
• Learn a new skill - Most entrepreneurial side hustles are an effective way to learn new skills.
• Start and build a new network outside your existing network.
• Brings exposure to a newer range of ideas makes you resilient and valuable to others over a period.

It helps build a strong personal brand. People with a side hustle come are across as innovative and ambitious, a leadership quality.

What can you do for a side hustle?

You can do anything for a side hustle.

• Start and run a website, a blog site, social community, eBook etc.
• If you have a skill, make use of it and build something of your own.
• Consulting
• Coaching
• Creating a product or service
• Speaking

Start slow and small. Work on it little by little and it will grow into something significant. For that, you must actually do it. Many side hustles can never be full-time jobs or entrepreneurial ventures.

Oh yes! Do not quit your day job. You cannot lose the goose laying the golden egg, it is your main source of income. Not every side hustle may work out as a full-time entrepreneurial venture. While some experiments may take off.

For instance, Pat Flynn, a successful blogger, and podcaster wrote about his optimistic future after being laid off. He had something to fall back on; his first e-book was a hit and brought in $7900/- that month. 

Companies often restrict their employees to work outside their full-time job. This was the reason I never thought of a side hustle. Many workplaces have comparable stipulations. You must ensure you are not breaking any contracts or rules with your current employer.

Why you must side hustle?

Here are my reasons. When I lost my job in 2007, I had no options to fall back upon (come to think of it, nor did my dad when he lost too.) At work, the young and smart had diverse skill sets and a likely side hustle. I realize it’s good to have options, though you love your job. One colleague had a Great Dane with plans to set up dog breeding as a side hustle which could earn him at least $1000.

A side hustle inculcates some new skills and enhances your outlook. It will earn you financial independence through small business. If you don’t have a side hustle, take some time to yourself. One weekend, just do something you love. You can maintain it if you feel passionate week after week. Moreover, you don’t have to work on it every day or every week, just spend two hours on a Sunday. But just do it because it may teach you something about yourself and makes your life purposeful.

Recommendations:
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on one and complete a purchase, I will earn a commission. (Thank you for that!). However, this monetary relationship does not in anyway sway my recommendations, it’s something you should be aware of on this site and others online. As always, you should do your own due diligence before making any purchase decision.

If you really want to know more, I recommend you read this book on how a side hustle can change your life. Here is another good read to find the quest that will bring purpose to your life. Get it for yourself or as a gift for someone special and it helps me earn a small commission to run the blog.
So get going and start a side hustle in pursuit of happiness! If I can do it, so can you. Watch out for my next post on side hustle ideas. Good luck till then and tell me if you got a side hustle.

How Can You Discover Your Talent And Purpose In Life?

Discover your talent and life's purpose

How can you discover your talent and purpose in life?

Your talent is God's gift to you, what you do with is your gift back to God. Use your talent as a vehicle in your life, fuel it up with passion where potential is your destination.

The answer to the above question is surely not simple. Let me try to present what I have learned, know, and understand. My advice is:

1.     You have to keep trying, you will never know if you do not try.

2.     Look inwards, asking for advice is good, but listen to your heart and mind. Ignite your talent with primal cues.

3.     If you 'do' (hustle) something, it may or may not click, it may be terrible in the beginning. so, discover what really matters.

4.     Improve on it. Unwrap the gift and unleash the talent, you will see your life's purpose.

No one will lay the path in front of you. It is good if you feel lost sometimes. Go out and get what you want. Nothing is instantaneous, it is about getting a feedback and improving (action), constantly.

You can't just 'think' your way into finding your life's purpose; you have to 'do' your way into it. You must hustle. Look into your heart, listen to it and you will find the true purpose and passion.

Discovering talent + Hustle (Action) + Passion = Life's purpose

It is simple. Discover your talent, nurture it and then apply it in your life. Make your life meaningful.

Discover your life's purpose

1. As a child, what were you passionate about?
2. What makes you smile?
3. Is there anything that makes you forget the world around you?
4. What makes you feel great?
5. If you did not work or have a job, how would you occupy yourself? Are you good at something?
6. Is there any issue closest to your heart?
7. What topics you repeatedly bring up to talk about with your closest friends or loved ones?
8. What challenges, difficulties, and hardships have you overcome and how?
9. Have you created a bucket list?
10. Do you have a dream and want to pursue?

Write your life's purpose (mission)
When you write your life's mission, here are three questions to help you:

• What do you want to do?
• Who do you want to help?
• What value will you create?

Have I helped you discover your life's purpose? I’d love to hear about your mission. Share with me in the comment section.

-Inspired and Adapted from Arpan Roy's answer to the question on Quora