(Guest blog post written and submitted by Craig Brown)
Since the COVID-19 virus reared its ugly head, countless people all over the world have lost jobs and income streams. If you’re finding yourself in this situation, you’re definitely not alone, and you may be hard-pressed to put food on the table, let alone fulfill your financial obligations.
But instead of twiddling your thumbs and/or tearing your hair out, why not make the most out of this newfound free time to be productive and earn some extra coin on the side to make ends meet? And yes, not only is it possible, you likely already have the skills, tools, resources, and know-how to do so. Here’s the little nudge you need to help boost your career.
Think remote.
The coronavirus has forced us all to embrace a new normal—one in which hunkering down at home is the noblest thing you can do and avoiding people as you venture out into the world is no longer weird but also a real lifesaver. For this reason, the work landscape has changed in more ways than one.
Thank heavens for technology, indeed, as it’s now made it possible for people to work remotely and part-time, which is undoubtedly a godsend at the moment. The great thing about it is, the gig economy has been around for a while, so the infrastructure is already in place. And truly, there’s no dearth of websites where you can find work-from-home jobs from or people and businesses looking for remote workers in just about anything that uses a computer. There’s more than a good chance, therefore, that you already have the skillset to pursue these opportunities. Even if your skills seem like they might be hard to market, there are plenty of freelance opportunities across industries. This includes website developers, social media marketers, graphic designers, ghost writers, bookkeepers, and bloggers.
Bank on a hobby.
Now, while it’s true that the pandemic has been bad for businesses in general, it has also opened up a good number of opportunities, too. With this in mind, another great way to make money while you’re social distancing is by taking advantage of a hobby or something that you do well and then leveraging the internet to sell or showcase that service or product.
Indeed, people starting businesses in quarantine is not at all unheard of. We’re already seeing plenty of folks sharing their hobbies and expertise online—running the gamut from cooking to yoga to comedy to candlemaking. And with so many people at home bored out of their eyeballs and looking for better things to do with their time, there’s a truly great opportunity here.
Know your options for financial support.
And finally, know that there are many ways you can be financially supported throughout the quarantine period. In fact, both the government and private sectors have banded together to provide financial assistance to those who really need it at this most difficult time.
It’s more than wise, therefore, to do your due diligence and look into what benefits you’re eligible for (for US readers), such as unemployment benefits. You can also find financial relief from many other sources. Certain cities and states have even made evictions unlawful, too, so if you’re renting, you can be certain that you’re not about to go homeless.
Indeed, the COVID-19 pandemic has definitely upset everyone’s way of life. However, there’s really no point in languishing in despair as it won’t do anyone any good, least of all you. So pull up your bootstraps, get creative, and grab the many opportunities out there. There’s no better way to ride out this ‘pause’ than by keeping yourself busy.
Guest Blog, written by Craig Brown, 7th July 2020
