A result of the popularity of home-based jobs in the Philippines is the sudden growth of the gig economy. What is a gig economy, you may ask? A gig economy is a way of work based on individuals working temporary jobs or doing separate pieces of work, each paid separately.
Examples of a gig economy are coaching, fitness training, ride-sharing services (Uber or Angkas), and freelance work. The advantages of a gig economy include the freedom to work for multiple employers, the ability to work anywhere, and a more flexible work schedule.
However, working in a gig economy also has its downsides: namely, the lack of work stability, no access to company benefits, and manually doing your taxes or applying for SSS, PAG-IBIG, etc., on your own.
To help you overcome these challenges, here are four gig economy success tips for you to follow. These tips originate from a qualitative study analyzing how gig workers maintain their work identity despite not working for a boss.
Establish and Stick to Your Routine Diligently.
Unlike in an office setting, being a gig worker means you don’t have someone dictating where you should be at what time anymore. You’re now your own boss, so you can accomplish your work however you want, whenever you want.
Sounds like the perfect setup, right? Although initially appealing, the lack of routine and structure can cause you to lose productivity and become complacent.
To avoid this, the first gig economy success tip you should follow is to form a routine and stick to it. Doing this helps structure your work life and maintain your productivity and work quality. Since you have more control over your time, you can tailor-fit this routine to your job/s.
Of course, this will feel stifling and boring. But that’s what a routine does; it trains your actions to become natural over time. Soon, you won’t feel like doing these as a chore but as a daily part of your life.
Find Your Purpose and Stick to It.
One reason gig workers fail to transition to a gig economy is their lack of a clear and concrete purpose. Many shift to gigs to have the freedom to pursue their passions or dreams, something they’ll have difficulty doing in a nine-to-five office job.
Although there’s nothing wrong with pursuing one’s dreams, many forget that things aren’t always easy, particularly in our current economic situation. It’s easy to be disheartened and tempted to return to the office by initial setbacks and difficulties working independently.
That is why it is to ask yourself why you want to shift to a gig economy and remind yourself regularly of it. Doing so helps keep you motivated to continue working despite any challenges. However, if the situation calls for it, there’s no shame in returning to an office setup.
Don’t Forget to Spend Quality Time With Your Loved Ones.
Depending on your experience, another downside (or upside) of the gig economy is the lack of co-worker interaction. Since you’re not working directly with a company, you won’t get many chances to see your co-workers. You may see them during meetings, but that’s about it.
This setup can get lonely sometimes and can make you feel isolated from other people. Combine this with work stress, and this could lead to burnout.
If you haven’t guessed it yet, the next gig economy success tip you should follow is to not forget to spend time with your loved ones. Being able to talk to your family or friends significantly helps in relieving stress. As well as reminding you that you’re not alone during this time of uncertainty.
Find and Set Up the Perfect Place for You to Work.
One of the main challenges of working online is the blurring of the line between work and home. Because your bedroom is now your office, it’s easy to fall into the temptation of taking “short” naps while on the job, or browsing social media or… you get the idea.
To avoid these distractions, you should establish a separate workplace in your home. With it, you can work peacefully and reestablish the boundaries between work and home. If possible, try to separate your workspace from your bedroom so you can focus on your tasks.
Finding Your Footing in the Gig Economy.
Working in the gig economy is not easy. It’s a new, unfamiliar work setup and lacks many of the perks an office-based job has. However, it presents greater freedom to gig workers, as they’re not bound to work for a single, monolithic boss and job anymore.
And with these gig economy success tips, you’ll have an easier time getting started. So, are you ready to try it? If so, you can check out Remote Staff for any gigs you’d like to get into.
