These days self-quarantine and social distancing are the norms. It seems like the entire world is panic-stricken ever since the coronavirus outbreak and now wish to avoid being around others. That’s one reason that I’m a huge fan and proponent of remote work, eLearning, and all things that put distance between humans.
If you can relate, then you should read this blog post. We’re about to brainstorm 5 of the coolest work at home tips so you can endeavor to self-quarantine and self-isolate without stress.
5 Work At Home Tips That Rock:
- # 1 – Set A Distraction-Free Work Environment On Day One!
- # 2 – Check Your Current Job’s Remote Flexibility And Also Your Paid Time Off Options
- # 3 – Register On Freelance Marketplaces And Launch A Side Hustle
- # 4 – Launch An Online Course Or Seek An Online Teaching Job
- # 5 – Search Craigslist, Dice, Indeed, And Monster For Other Online Jobs
Why I Love These Work At Home Tips For Self-Isolation
One of the best benefits of remote work is that you don’t have to deal with the stress and everyday hustle of a daily commute. If you can relate, then that’s reason enough to investigate the exciting worlds of remote work, freelancing, gigs, and online teaching!
Let’s take a much closer look at 5 of my favorite work at home tips that can hopefully help you self-isolate, and stay safe!
# 1 – Establish A Distraction-Free Work Environment On Day One!
If you’re new to working at home, then you must give yourself every opportunity to succeed. That includes having a distraction-free area where you can work without interruption.
One of the biggest advantages of having a boss is that they don’t let you slack off. When you begin to work for yourself, you must manage your time effectively.
Don’t neglect your work environment. If you don’t get work done, then there’s nobody to stand in your way as you squander your entire day to waste! Trust me. I waste more time than any humans I’ve ever met. Learn from my dreadful life blunders!
It’s way too easy to find yourself click-clacking on Twitter or otherwise getting lost in a flight of fancy as you watch your favorite guru on YouTube for hours on end. Next thing you know, your entire day’s dissipated.
For those reasons, you must arrange a schedule so you can focus on your work. Once your work from the home schedule is established, stick to a stern routine and defend your time viciously.
# 2 – Check Your Current Job’s Remote Flexibility And Also Your Paid Time Off Options
If you already have a job, but you still want to self-quarantine, then it’s a great idea to examine if it’s indeed possible to perform your current job from home. Even if it’s not possible to conduct your current job entirely from home, it may be possible to perform a portion of your job from home.
Ask your manager, supervisor, or HR department if working remotely is a possibility for you. These days, more and more big tech companies are moving toward remote work, so now is the perfect time to ask.
Also, check with your HR department to learn more about plant closure, paid time off, and sick leave policies. The more you know about your workplace benefits, and your availability to take time off without complication, the easier it is to navigate safely and cautiously (and remotely).
# 3 – Register On Freelance Marketplaces And Launch A Side Hustle
What happens if you’re already out of a job, or you’re struggling for cash? Many Americans and people worldwide can relate. I keep reading that many Americans don’t have much if any cash tucked away for emergencies, which can make things even more stressful.
That’s why I’m a big fan of freelancing! Freelancing isn’t some fringe thing, you know. These days, freelancing and gig work are both huge! So, have you thought about freelancing?
Why not join the many tens of millions of those in the US who are already freelancers? The world of freelancing offers tremendous flexibility, and there are tons of marketplaces that make getting started surprisingly easy.
The main thing I love about freelancing is that there are endless remote and work at home freelance opportunities.
Whether you want to want to work as a ghostwriter, social media manager, coder, designer, or virtual assistant, there are many freelance marketplaces to help you get started and search for openings.
Check out Fiverr, Freelancer, and Upwork if you want to tap into three of the largest freelance marketplaces on the planet. All three are super easy to use and are open to newcomers.
Of course, finding quality freelance gigs requires work, hustle, and commitment! That said, the big marketplaces are worth a shot if you love the idea of penetrating the gig economy.
# 4 – Launch An Online Course Or Seek An Online Teaching Job
I have a suspicion that in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, online education and distance learning are going to become more mainstream.
In my neck of the woods, schools are closing left and right. I suspect that since the USA is now under a state of emergency, even more schools are due to close as well. What about in your area? Do you notice that more schools are closing?
That’s why I propose that now’s the time to get into the online learning and distance education universe. I’ve launched online courses and it feels great to share what you know with students from all over the world. If I can teach online, then anyone can teach online!
If you want to discover more about online teaching, then check out this epic online teaching guide I wrote that describes exactly how to launch an online course without stress.
The distance education world also has a surprising amount of online jobs. Try searching your favorite job board for phrases such as “online teacher”, “teach online”, “distance education”, et cetera. (I’ve noticed that online English teaching jobs are popular right now! Food for thought.)
# 5 – Search Craigslist, Dice, Indeed, And Monster For Other Online Jobs
Teaching jobs aren’t the only opportunities that are available for remote employment. If you search Indeed.com for “work from home”, “work at home”, or “remote”, you’ll find gobs of jobs seeking remote workers.
Naturally, these remote positions probably have much more competition because the prospective employees aren’t limited by geographic region. That said, it’s worth it to investigate the top job boards such as Indeed, Dice, Monster, and even Craigslist to search for remote opportunities that you may enjoy and perform well.
Work From Home FAQs
After studying the art and science of online teaching, freelancing, and blogging for a while, I’ve put a ton of thought into the following questions that you’re likely to encounter.
# 1 – What Are The Best Work At Home Jobs?
It depends on what you love, and your skills! I’m a huge fan of freelance writing and teaching. If you love freelance writing, then there are tons of freelance writing jobs on websites like Fiverr, Freelancer, and Upwork.
If you have solid IT skills, then there are also lots of computer programming jobs available, often with remote flexibility.
Also, don’t forget the big job marketplaces. Always keep your eyes on Dice, Indeed, and Monster and search for keywords like “work from home”, “remote jobs”, “work at home”, “telecommute”, et cetera.
# 2 – How Much Do Remote Jobs Pay?
The pay for remote jobs varies widely just like in the traditional “brick and mortar” workforce. Not all freelance gigs and remote jobs are equal!
Remote and work from home jobs range from tiny tasks to fulltime employment. The pay is therefore related to the value that you provide to the organization, the size of the company, your skillset, your education, and experience. There are also other factors, including your contract, hours committed, et cetera.
# 3 – How Does Mechanical Turk By Amazon Work?
Amazon Mechanical Turk is a “crowdsourcing” platform. Companies use Amazon Turk to source a remote workforce to complete small tasks. I love the idea of Mechanical Turk!
On Mechanical Turk you may find tasks ranging from data validation, surveys, quizzes, image processing, content moderation, and other small tasks along those lines.
There are new tasks added all the time, so if you’re curious to learn more, then Amazon Mechanical Turk is a fun opportunity to investigate further.
# 4 – How Can You Avoid Work At Home Scams?
Firstly, let me just say that I’m paranoid about information and IT security! I automatically assume that everyone is trying to scam me. So, here’s my advice on how to avoid work at home scams.
The main idea is to conduct research! If a job offer seems too good to be true, then be on your guard. One of the first things to look out for is if the job opportunity asks for money upfront. If you ever need to pay cash to apply for a job, then run away in the other direction.
I’ve had many reliable employers. Not one of them would request cash upfront to apply. I’m sure that you can agree. Therefore, I think that’s the biggest scam to look out for, so be on your guard!
Also, before you decide on working with any organization or job offer, make sure to do your homework. Search on websites like Glassdoor, Yelp, and Indeed for reviews from current or previous employees. Does the employer have a solid reputation? Watch out for companies that are negatively reviewed, or seemingly nonexistent.
Also, be wary of social engineers, data thieves, and scammers. Never give personal information to any prospective job offer unless you’ve done your research and determine that they’re legitimate and above board.
# 5 – Do You Have Any Tips For Small Business Owners During Crisis?
First, I want to let you know that I’m not a crisis worker. I leave such advice for the experts and professionals.
That said, I know how stressful life is, especially as a small business owner.
Try to stay calm. I know staying calm is tough, especially when we experience cash flow problems! Making ends meet is tough. Never let anyone tell you otherwise. This is doubly so if you’re a small business owner during uncertain times. That’s why, small business owners are some of the toughest people around, and I tip my hat to you.
In my opinion, the SBA is a fantastic resource for those seeking help these days.
If you’re a small business owner or an employer, then consider that the Small Business Administration has recently published a big list of resources including advice, guidance, resources, emergency capital access, and more.
Conclusion
There’s no question. We live in difficult times! With the markets in question and stress levels sky-high, there’s never been a better time to consider your remote work options.
That’s why I’m passionate about the remote economy and the digital economy.
Hopefully, these 5 tips can help reduce stressors in your life, and I wish you the utmost best in your future endeavors!
As always, I invite you to contact me if you have any questions or simply wish to brainstorm.
Until that time, please have a fantastic day.
Cordially…
Mike “Remote Work” DeVincent
MrComputerScience.com