4 Steps to Find Remote Work & Create Lifestyle Freedom

The power of modern entrepreneurship is alluring: passive income, influencer status, and The 4-Hour Work Week.

Even if you’ve no interest in becoming a full-fledged entrepreneur, freelance work can help you before, during, and between traditional employment.

Thinking of yourself as C.E.O. of YOU (with a few revenue streams) can help you easily secure future revenue and balance cash flow.

If you’ve ever wanted to work remote, become a freelancer, or start traveling as a digital nomad…I got you. Here are my tips, tricks, and tools on creating a life you’ll love!

Step One: Create a Vision for Your Daily Life.

If we’re going to “design your future,” you must start with a vision!

I’d start with a vision of what you want your life to look like. From there, we can build your business, branding, and digital marketing to support that: slowly turning crazy dreams into reality.

To help clarify your vision, I’m going to get morbid…

If you were to die tomorrow, what would you wish you had said yes to? 

What do you want to leave behind?

What do you want your legacy to be?

My preference is that you STOP working so damn hard at a job you don’t enjoy (barely LIVING). My preference is that you start to seek—or even better, create—a life you love.

For business and money? I want you to do work you love with people you love. That’s #SUCCESS!

REAL TALK: we aren’t guaranteed tomorrow, and we’ll never know when it’s our time to go. The world may end, and sudden death and disease have claimed even our world’s greatest leaders. 😭

The best time is NOW. Take a moment to look at these questions and create a big vision for your future. Y-NOT?!

If you were to wake up tomorrow in your ideal life, where are you?

What does your day look like?

Who are you with?

What are you doing for work?

Where’s your money coming from?

Step Two: Examine Your Unique Gifts.

As an artist, you’re highly creative, but perhaps running out of time, money, or both?

Get creative, girl! Think about the various ways you can ethically make good money.

If you want paid above minimum wage, highlight the 💩 out of your unique talents, experiences, education, and personality!

I’d also encourage you to think about what you can do remotely. This way, you can work “WHENEVER! WHEREVER!” (sung like Shakira). 💃

But for real: what could you do when you’re waiting around…at an audition, rehearsal, out-of-town?

Administrative Ideas:

Executive Assistant?
Coach?
Consultant?
Technical Support?
Data Scientist?
Ad Manager?
Digital Organizer?
Get creative!

Artistic Ideas:

Photographer?
Filmmaker?
Podcaster?
Writer?
Ghostwriter?
Designer?
Editor?
Get creative!

When starting a business (or even just supplemental freelance work), find something you LOVE.

However, you’ll also need to find something other people NEED. And don’t get it twisted: people need art, stories, chocolate, handmade jewelry, life coaching, and so much more. There’s an audience for everyone and everything.

As you’re thinking about what you love, keep in mind that sometimes what you’re selling (such as chocolate) may be representative of something else (expressing love or self-love).

What comes easy to you?

What do friends ask you for help with?

What work excites you?

What work scares you?

Stay open. Begin to examine your unique gifts and explore new possibilities. Follow your curiosity, and listen to your friend, Fear. She’s probably pointing you in the direction you should go!

Step Three: Present Your Present
& Seek Paying Clients.

You will not be the world’s greatest _________ right off the bat. That’s okay. Someone will still hire you. You’ll do your best, and you’ll continue learning and doing until you’re so special and unique that people don’t want to work with anyone else.

Start today. As soon as possible, present your present!

Ask online: Know anyone needing _________?

Ask offline: Know anyone needing _________?

While you could work for free for the first few clients , my preference is that you ask for a living wage. You deserve that!

Try asking for some money and offer a 100% money-back-guarantee if they’re not fully satisfied.

You can start free or dirt cheap if you really want, but promise me that you’ll raise your rates as your skills and client base grow? For now, get your first few paying clients by asking for them!

Step Four: Get Paid!

Once you suss out the job, have integrity with the estimate of time or money needed—for both you and your client.

Use the FREE tool And.co to:

Create a proposal and agreement.

Track your time.

Invoice your clients.

GET PAID! 🥳

If your client is happy (and they will be…because you’re awesome), and you enjoyed working with them, be sure to ask for a recommendation or review. This is key to getting new clients!

You can use your website, Google, Facebook, Yelp, LinkedIn, or other platforms to collect reviews. Start with one platform, then move on when you’ve created a substantial five-star reputation!

*I may receive an affiliate commission if you choose to pay for the full version of these free offerings. I’d recommend them anyway, and only share the products, services, and people I truly believe in. Your trust means everything to me.

Step Five: Explore Your Options!

Moving to Bali was a lifestyle choice. Creating your own business or side-business is a lifestyle choice as well.

In today’s economy, corporate and creative professionals need to create their own financial security. We aren’t guaranteed a “good job” or a “long run.” Loyal employers are far and few between—but loyal employees are, too.

The solution? Design your future! Periodically go back to step one and clarify your vision. “Zoom out” and think about what you want your life to look like, then determine the next steps with your work life.

You can use the FREE tool NomadList.com to:

Explore cities around the world.

Filter by climate, cost of living, wifi speed, and more.

Read reviews and explore neighborhoods.

Connect with expats and nomads!