How to Break into the WAH Scene this Year and CRUSH IT!

Do you ever sit at your desk and fantasize about working from home in your PJs? Well, fantasize no longer! From mamas to corporate ladies, stellar solopreneurs, and every possible scenario in between, working from home is no longer for dreamers.

With flexible hours, zero commute time, and the plethora of career opportunities, it’s no wonder why the work-at-home scene is seeing unprecedented growth. A 2017 Gallup report shows that approximately 43% of US workers devote at least some of their time to working remotely. With a rise in companies providing remote work, it’s time to make your work-at-home dream a reality.

But where do you start? No worries – we’ve got that covered! Below we cover the simple steps you can take to break into the work-at-home world and absolutely CRUSH it this year!

1. Small Steps=Huge Results

Earlier today, I spoke to an entrepreneur who had maintained her full-time office job while growing her personal finance blog. To obtain her dream of working from home full time, she started breaking down her larger goals into smaller steps. Before she knew it, her passion for personal finance had grown her blog and, this year, she’s set to leave her 9-to-5 career and work-from-home.

Pretty impressive but, surprisingly, not uncommon!

Taking small steps toward any goal is often the first step to long-term success. Start by asking yourself:

• Why do I want to work-from-home?
• What am I passionate about doing? (Do you love sales? Love to write? How about design? Make a list!)
• How might I start to do this at home?
• What steps can I take to get there?

Whether you’re leaving a corporate job for a startup or you’re home with the little ones, designing your personalized, work-at-home plan is critical to your success. This is not a “permanent” list by any means, and you might not have all the answers right away. Think of it as your very first step that will lead to your bigger end goal: Working from home!

2. Start Researching Your Work-at-Home Journey – for Free!

Who says looking for remote opportunities must cost money? My work-at-home journey began out of a necessity to care for our littlest one and with the idea that we would be on an EXTREMELY tight budget. However, as an individual who has earned her own paycheck since age 16, I quickly became antsy about not contributing to our family’s finances. Since we were on a budget, I couldn’t possibly invest any money into looking for work. Feeling a bit trapped, I started looking for free resources that focused on working remotely. It turns out, there are several amazing, free resources out there and, luckily, The Work At Home Woman had those resources available for easy access right here! Check that off the list!

3. Work Your Social Media Network!

Whether you’re a social networking goddess with engaging profiles all over LinkedIn, Facebook, and every other platform out there or you’re the proud owner of one (or zero) social networking profile, these spaces are AMAZING resources for connecting with potential work-at-home opportunities! When my friend Julia decided to work remotely as a direct sales representative, she immediately began to connect with other professionals on LinkedIn and Facebook group boards to promote her products and services when she could.

If you don’t have an extensive knowledge base when it comes to social networking, you can always post a message on one of your group boards asking if anyone knows of individuals looking for help. You’ll be amazed at how far your reach can go on these platforms!

Related Content: Five Ways to Use Twitter for Your Job Search

4. CRUSH Your Fear—Start Working from Home!

If you’re like me and a tad shy on the self-promotion bit (I’m NOT a saleswoman by any means), start small and build your exposure from there. When I began my work-from-home journey, I focused on one online freelance website to gain traction and posted inquiries little by little. This step, while small, helped me to gain the confidence I needed to eventually move on to my permanent home-based position!

Another way to “break the ice” is by inquiring through your personal network of family and friends. Many people I know found amazing success simply by reaching out to their existing network.

Whatever your fears or obstacles might be, start your approach by thinking of them as part of the steps you need to go through to meet your work-at-home goals! Let’s face it – any new adventure can be frightening, but don’t let your fear get in the way. If you want the work-at-home gig badly enough (and I know you do!), follow these helpful steps:

• Identify and write down what’s holding you back from starting your work-from-home job.
• Create steps to eliminate those obstacles.
• Create a networking list of people with whom you feel most comfortable inquiring.

Being honest about the steps you need to take to work remotely. Starting those steps will crush that fear and get you on your way!

5. Getting Your Work-at-Home Feet Wet!

Taking that first, official step is the hardest part. After you’ve outlined your reasons for staying home and have a plan for how to get there, your next step is to try your hand at a few remote positions. This doesn’t have to be a full-time, 30+ hours a week gig. Rather, think of it as a guiding point toward that larger goal.

Below is a list that will help you actively explore work-at-home opportunities. Wherever you are in your work-at-home journey, this list of sites is an excellent jumpstart.

Freelance Writing:

• Upwork
• Problogger
• Freelancer
• Fiverr

Direct Sales:

• Cabi
• Matilda Jane
• Tastefully Simple

Start a Blog:

• How to Start a Blog and Make Money From It

Internet Earning Opportunities:

• Complete Surveys
• Test Websites
• Use Smartphone Apps

Conclusion

There are several ways you can start your work-at-home adventure. From writing down attainable goals to researching opportunities and testing the waters, we’re here to help you meet your work-at-home goals this year! After all, working at home is half the fun. Working at home and achieving your goals, now that’s crushing it.

Have you started your work-from-home adventure? Share with us below! Love a suggestion posted here? Let us know! If you enjoyed this post, please share it on your favorite social media site.