In this day and age, thanks to digitalization and the adoption of technology by the next generation of entrepreneurs and employers, a work-at-home scenario is a dream come true for  job seekers or traditional office based employees looking to transition to remote work. #Remotework expert writer Marcy Ricci Jael shows us how in this #ConnectedWomen article.

Do you want to work in the comforts of your own home? Sounds too good to be true for most people. How does one get started?

In my case, I was just like any college kid looking to make some money on the side during the summer break. In my search, I stumbled upon an online community of work from home writers, and I was introduced to a world of opportunities where I can earn money without leaving my bed. It was just that easy to start, as freelance, online writing jobs are abundant.

While it’s easy to find work that you can do in the comforts of your own home, I’m not going to lie and say that everything will be smooth sailing. Like any work you get into, there will be some struggles you will have to face. Here are a few notable problems you might encounter when starting out.

Mastering The Ways Of Remote Work
While there is a strong demand for remote workers, jumping from one job to another might be difficult for newbies to the home-based work set-up. This may not be for you if you have problems with:

• Adjusting to client demands like saying yes to writing tasks you’re not familiar with.
• Working for a client for a one-time project while you’re looking for a more stable or permanent role.

Temptations
You’re at home. It’s relaxing. You don’t have supervisors and coworkers around. Your friends think you’re not at work so they relentlessly invite you out. The bed seems a bit too comfy. There’s a new TV series on Netflix. Even the desire to scroll through your social media news feed is intense. There are plenty of distractions when you work at home and it’s a daily struggle to stay focused and not give in to the lax environment.

Difficult Clients
As you navigate the world of remote work, you are bound to meet some difficult clients and issues including low professional rates, very high standards, contradicting client expectations, long negotiations, and even micromanaging. These issues can be discouraging on your part but the good news is that you will learn as you go.

Technical Difficulties
These could include intermittent or slow internet connection, sudden power outage, hardware or software problems, and even personal struggles to get your groove back. Don’t let these problems stop you from working at home! With every problem there is a solution, and here are 9 effective steps you can take when getting into home-based work.

Step 1: Keep Learning
Find out the latest software to use, the type of skills needed for your job, and places to find more information. Knowledge is power, and when you know things, people will be drawn to you.

Step 2: Schedule A Fixed Time To Work
Set a daily work schedule and make sure to keep it routine. While you can work at any time, following a fixed schedule helps you focus and set your mind to be productive. You have to learn that there is a time for work and time for play. It also helps you not get too distracted.

Step 3: Know Your Work Preferences
Are you more into virtual assistance or perhaps you prefer writing gigs? Gravitate to the type of work that you like doing. If you’re not comfortable with your work, it wouldn’t matter if the pay is good. Your discomfort will show on your work and your employers will surely notice.

Step 4: Know Your Client And Your Worth
Find out who you’re working for and if you can deliver what they ask. Make sure you do not sign up for any job that you feel isn’t going to be good for you in the long run. And always make it a point to know your client’s target market.

Step 5: Be Proactive In Finding Work
You should neither wait for clients to email you for work nor settle in sending a handful of emails to a few openings you find. Secure work opportunities immediately as they come. Keep looking for platforms like Connected Women Jobs to find online work opportunities.

Step 6: Make your Workplace Conducive For Work
Though it is tempting, try not work on your bed. Set up a desk somewhere where you can sit up straight and not feel lethargic when you work. Decorating your desk with sticky notes full of reminders as well as having a clock can put you in check. While you may work at home, remember that you are still working.

Step 7: Be Organized
Create schedules, take notes, and plan out how you go about doing your work at home. Organization not only helps you get ready for work, but it can also help you finish it. If you have trouble writing a piece, creating an outline first might help you get going.

Step 8: Secure Your Backups
Getting a spare pocket WiFi will keep you online when your internet connection at home goes kaput. Investing in a spare laptop battery can help your laptop stay up and running during power outages.

Step 9: Be Open-Minded
This helps you build up your skill set, expand your scope of work, lets you try out new things, and cultivates a better relationship between yourself and your clients. Never close yourself off to something new and interesting!

Keep this guide in mind when considering making the big leap to working from home. These steps helped me build my career from my home—which I have successfully done for almost three years now! Take it from a work-at-home gal like me. If I can do it, you can too!

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