15 Best Jobs Where You Can Work from Home

Before the advent of the internet, the only real job opportunities for those who wanted to work from home were stay-at-home parent, artist or craftsman. The only way to utilize your skills and earn some money was to get out of the house and clock in from nine to five. There wasn’t much need for writers or web designers, but as technology grew a whole new job market opened up. Nowadays, you can sit down at the computer with a cup of coffee and a bag of donuts by your side, and look up job opportunities on one of the many freelance websites like Elance, Freelancer, Odesk and Guru. We will take a quick look at the most popular and lucrative jobs that you can do from home and ways of starting your freelance career.

1. Writer
Being a freelance writer doesn’t just mean writing books and trying to get them published – there are many opportunities for writing articles for blogs on various topics, writing page content for websites, product reviews, technical documents and much more. There are currently 263,700 writers on Elance; 24,177 on oDesk and over 180,000 on Guru, making this one of the most popular freelance jobs. You can create a profile on any of these platforms and get started.

2. Editor
Where there is a need for a huge number of writers, there will be a need for a great deal of editing. You can edit posts for big blogs before they are published, edit website content, e-books, etc. There are currently thousands of freelance editors, many offering both editorial and writing services so it’s difficult to pinpoint an exact number, and people with good grammar skills are in high demand. Look for opportunities on one of the freelance platforms or contact administrators of large blogs and magazines to try and find an editorial position.

3. Translator
With over 180,000 writers and translators on Guru and over 15,000 translators on Elance with a four star or higher rating, you won’t find it too difficult to land a job as a translator if you do a bit of looking around. Translating from Chinese, Spanish, French and German to English and vice versa is the most common type of job available, however there are tons of different opportunities, so if you are bilingual there is plenty of work for you.

4. Consultant
Business, legal, web and marketing consultants are fairly well represented in the online world of freelancing, with thousands of consulting-related jobs on Guru, and over 12,000 highly-ranked consultants on Elance. There is a very wide spectrum of consulting jobs available in different fields, from legal to SEO and IT, so it shouldn’t be difficult to find a job offering best suited to your particular skills.

5. Engineer
It may surprise you just how many engineering jobs there are available online. There have been 832,465 engineering projects on Freelancer as of now, and there are well over 300 engineering jobs at any given time on oDesk, with nearly 1,500 highly ranked engineers on Elance, making these platforms a perfect place for a budding engineer to offer their skills.

6. Customer service representative
This is a very popular job title for companies to outsource, so it’s no surprise that there is a huge market for customer service reps online. There are currently over 60,000 freelancers doing this type of work on oDesk and nearly 1,000 highly ranked customer service reps on Elance, and there is plenty of work for everyone.

7. Sales representative
The online job market for sales reps is fairly large, yet there aren’t as many people offering these services, so there is less competition to worry about. There are a little over 8,000 sales reps on oDesk and under 200 highly ranked freelancers with skill sets related to sales and marketing.

8. Software developer
The job market for software developers is vast and ever expanding, so there is always room for more skilled people with experience in this line of work and like to work from home. There are nearly 30,000 mobile developers alone on Elance, and nearly 60,000 software developers on oDesk, nearly 30,000 of which are ranked over 4.5 stars, but despite all that competition many new developers are earning a decent living.

9. Case manager
As far as case managers are concerned, there is plenty of opportunity online, as there aren’t a lot of highly qualified freelancers with the right skills and background for this line of work. There are currently over 3,000 freelancers fitting this description on oDesk, but there are a number of telecommuting opportunities that you can find by doing a few simple online searches and combing through a few job websites.

10. Web designer
Web designers are all the rage right now, as many small business, companies and individuals are taking their business online. From small online shops and blogs to big company websites, everyone needs a good web designer, so it’s no surprise that there are over 40,000 web designers on oDesk; 24,000 with a rating of over 4.5 stars, and over 30,000 web designers with a rating over 4 stars on Elance.

11. Data entry
Data entry work is something a lot of people can make some good money doing – it’s not incredibly complicated and this type of work is often outsourced by companies, so there are many job opportunities. Add to that the fact that you can work from home and have flexible hours, and it’s easy to see why there are so many people interested in this type of work. There are over 85,000 data entry specialists on oDesk, and over 9,000 highly ranked data entry specialists on Elance, and a whopping 149,000 results for data entry services on Guru.

12. Recruiting coordinator
If you have good people and communication skills, the position of recruiting coordinator may be just the thing for you. You can find the right people for a given job by doing some online detective work, checking resumes and weeding out the bad apples, which can be an interesting and lucrative job. The best place to look is Elance, with over 2,000 highly ranked recruiters, and oDesk, with nearly 8,000.

13. Teacher
You can teach people a variety of subjects online, from language to math and all things in between, and all you really need is a good internet connection, web cam and some type of certificate that proves that you are qualified to teach. Even without proper qualifications you may be able to teach English as a second language if you are a native speaker. There are over 7,000 teachers on oDesk; over 3,000 highly ranked teachers on Elance and around 4,000 teachers on Guru. You can also look at websites like Tutor, which offer exclusively work-from-home teaching jobs.

14. Online personal trainer
If you are a seasoned gym rat, with years of strength training under your belt and have a recognized certificate, you can try to find new clientele online. There are currently over 9,000 fitness trainers on Guru, only around 200 on oDesk and nearly 400 fitness experts ranked four star and above on Elance. Many personal trainers also market themselves through YouTube and social networks, a personal website or blog through which they sell programs or coach clients via Skype.

15. Entertainer
We’ve touched on the subject of YouTube as a viable way of marketing ones skills, but a YouTube channel can be a source of income in its own right. If you have a great, likeable personality and have a good amount of knowledge on a subject or are funny and creative, you can build a popular YouTube channel and live comfortably off the ad revenue and eventual sponsorship deals. There are no strict rules here, but you need to be either very informative, creative or funny – the combination of the three works best – and devoted. You’ll need to put up videos daily at first, promote yourself through social networks and patiently grow your channel with every new subscriber and with each viewing of one of your videos.

For the skilled and hard-working person looking to earn a living working from home, there are plenty of opportunities. The online freelance job market is a vast ocean, and there is plenty of room and money for everyone. Find something that you are skilled, talented or experienced at, and there will be someone looking for your service – you just have to find them and stay one step ahead of the competition.

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6 Ways to Get Motivated When You Feel Like Doing Nothing

Even the most ambitious, motivated people occasionally have difficulties getting things done. The good news is that we can often discover why we’re in a slump. Even better, there are ways to get out of the slump and get motivated again.

Here’s 6 ways to get motivated when you feel like doing nothing.

1. Figure out why you’re in a slump.
Here are some of the reasons you may be in a slump:

• You’re dreading something you know you need to do. You’re procrastinating getting things done  because you are totally loathing an upcoming task.

• You’re tired. You’ve been lacking good nutrition, sleep, exercise, or have been ill and overall don’t feel well.

• You’re lacking confidence. You are scared to get out of your comfort zone and do something.

• You’re in the middle of a project. You’ve gotten past the excitement at the beginning, and you’re not yet near the end. You’re in the difficult part – the middle.

2. When you’re dreading something, make it almost impossible to NOT do the task.
For example, if you know you want to workout in the morning, try placing your workout clothes next to your bed so they’re the first thing you see when you wake up. Also, call a friend and make plans to meet them at the gym in the morning. Having an accountability partner will increase your likelihood of success.

3. When you’re tired, take care of your body.
Some days, you might need rest. Other days, your body might need exercise. Some days, you just may need to get away from your desk and get some fresh air. Think about how your habits have been recently. Have you been getting adequate rest? Have you been choosing healthy foods and beverages? Have you had a recent illness that has left you feeling rundown? Think about how you’ve been treating your body. Taking great care of your body may help you get out of your slump.

4. When you’re lacking confidence, think about WHY you’re doubting your capabilities.
Are you struggling with negative thinking? Has there been a recent negative comment or event in your life that has been bothering you? Are you comparing yourself to other people? When you’re struggling with negative thinking, give yourself a compliment, or do something fun to rejuvenate your joy.

5. When you’re in the middle of your journey, persevere.
When you set out to achieve a big goal, it’s usually pretty easy to be very motivated at the beginning. At the beginning, you think about the end result, and you are full of anticipation and enthusiasm. It’s also pretty easy to be motivated at the end of a long journey. Once the end is in sight, the excitement of seeing the finish line can propel you forward.

In my opinion, the middle of the journey is usually the hardest. In the middle, the initial excitement has diminished, but you haven’t gotten close to your goal yet. In the middle, you realize exactly how much time and effort is required to complete your journey. You get frustrated and frequently face the difficulty of pushing yourself out of your comfort zone to move forward.

In the middle, keep thinking about your “why.” What are the personal, meaningful, and strong reasons you wanted to achieve your goal in the first place? Oftentimes, remembering our “why” can help give us a boost of motivation when we’re in a slump. Also, remember what Confucius said, “It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” Keep moving when you’re in the middle. Commit to taking daily actions that move you closer to your end goal, even if they’re extremely tiny actions. Just keep moving.

To learn more, check out this article about getting through the middle.

6. Remember that the slump won’t last forever, and take action immediately to start getting out of it.
Start moving forward with tiny little steps. Remember that perseverance can make a huge difference in your success. Remember that success is a wild journey with many bumps and bends in the road, and not typically the straight line that people envision. Remember that moving forward when you’re not feeling motivated helps you push through your fears, get out of your comfort zone, and win the mental battles you have with yourself. Each step you take during the difficult times helps you feel more confident and capable, and gives you the momentum to continue to move out of your slump.

Any time you set out to achieve something in your life, you will face resistance. That resistance can leave you feeling unmotivated and cause you to sink into a slump. However, pushing through the resistance and taking action to get out of your slump will help set you up for long-term success. When you realize you really can get yourself motivated on your bad days, you will know in the future how to get yourself through additional rough times.

Everyone has the occasional slump. Recognizing the cause of your lack of motivation, and taking action to quickly get out of your slump will help minimize your down time and maximize your success.

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What People With Food Allergies Want You to Know

Food allergies are on the rise. A 2013 Center for Disease Control and Prevention study, announced that food allergies in children increased by 50% between 1997 and 2011. People are also developing food intolerance in adulthood, often because of digestive issues which develop slowly over a lifetime.

There are a lot of theories as to why food allergies are increasing. Some believe there is a link between the highly processed foods Western countries consume. This belief is founded on a higher intake of foods with lower nutritional value, and even synthetic food products which our bodies see as foreign, causing inflammation and a host of other issues depending on the individual biology, immune system, and environment of the person.

Processed foods also typically contain some of the top offenders such as milk, eggs, peanuts, soy, and wheat. A person’s body may never develop the immunological and mechanical barriers to fight off allergens, or a low level of tolerance can be worn down over time when the immune system is constantly overburdened.

The only way to deal with food allergies is to strictly avoid trouble foods, which can be a complicated and difficult endeavor both strategically, logistically and emotionally. If you know someone who suffers from food allergies, or if you are an allergy sufferer yourself, here are some things the allergic would like you to know.

1. We don’t wish you had food allergies too
It can be tough being “the allergic one.” As annoying as it can be for us to have to tiptoe around ingredients and play 20 questions with the waiter, we really don’t wish the same on you. So don’t feel self-conscious for your love for gluten-filled pizza, or ice cream brimming with lactose. Eat what you like. We’re not looking down on you, or resenting (too much) your ability to digest whatever your fully functioning stomach desires. We’ll be fine.

2. We don’t want to cause a scene
There are times when we wish we could just spin the Yelp globe and blindly pick a restaurant based on its ratings and originality rather than its allergy-friendly options. But as it is, it’s hard to drop in just anywhere. So many restaurants come with pre-made ingredients laced with allergens, or even freshly prepared menu items include seemingly innocuous ingredients that could send our bodies into a fit. We’re not trying to be dramatic, we don’t like having to be picky, so please bear with us in the extra-long search for somewhere to grab a bite.

3. We wish we could partake like a normal person
A lot like the desire to be low key when our allergies make us stand out as “weird”, we wish we could be normal and take part in what everyone else is doing. When we pass along the peppermint bark at the company gift exchange without securing a piece for ourselves, or pass on your open box of cronuts, still crystallizing with sugar coating, we don’t mean to disrupt tradition or look down our noses at anyone who does partake. Please don’t take our abstinence as a reflection on you.

4. An allergy or sensitivity is different from “being good”
We’re not avoiding certain foods to “be good” or because we’re “health nuts.” It’s not a matter of naughty or nice, it’s a matter of healthy or sick, or in some cases life or death. It’s not like being on a diet and allowing yourself just one tiny sliver of a triple fudge cake. If we indulge, we get sick. The repercussions are a far cry from putting on a few holiday pounds.

5. We could use some help preparing foods
Since most allergic reactions come from eating in restaurants, where controlling or even knowing what’s in certain foods can be nearly impossible, that means eating at home a lot. Obviously cooking at home takes a lot more preparation, planning, shopping and chopping. Just keeping up on the dishes or helping with the meal prep can really go a long way in making life easier.

6. Food Allergies Can Be Alienating
You might not even realize just how closely linked food, social norms, and festivities can be. For the most part social events and even simple workplace interactions revolve around food. When you want to catch up with someone, you might ask if they want to grab dinner or coffee sometime. Business meetings are often held over the lunch hour. Family gatherings and parties generally revolve around the snack table.

When we have to be picky or even pass up the offerings altogether, it’s uncomfortable. We’re aware and we wish we didn’t have to. Please don’t make it weirder by commenting on how “sensitive” or “healthy” we are.

Food allergies can be frustrating, but with a little creativity and support they can be managed and life can be just as fun, sweet, and varied as it should be.

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Respect Your Parents In Their Old Age Because…

An 80 year old man was sitting on the sofa in his house along with his 45 years old highly educated son. Suddenly a crow perched on their window.

The Father asked his Son, “What is this?” The Son replied “It is a crow”.

After a few minutes, the Father asked his Son the 2nd time, “What is this?” The Son said “Father, I have just now told you “It’s a crow”.

After a little while, the old Father again asked his Son the 3rd time, What is this?”

At this time some expression of irritation was felt in the Son’s tone when he said to his Father with a rebuff. “It’s a crow, a crow”.A little after, the Father again asked his Son the 4th time, “What is this?”

This time the Son shouted at his Father, “Why do you keep asking me the same question again and again, although I have told you so many times ‘IT IS A CROW’. Are you not able to understand this?”

A little later the Father went to his room and came back with an old tattered diary, which he had maintained since his Son was born.

On opening a page, he asked his Son to read that page.

When the son read it, the following words were written in the diary :

“Today my little son aged three was sitting with me on the sofa, when a crow was sitting on the window. My Son asked me 23 times what it was, and I replied to him all 23 times that it was a Crow. I hugged him lovingly each time he asked me the same question again and again for 23 times. I did not at all feel irritated I rather felt affection for my innocent child”. While the little child asked him 23 times “What is this”, the Father had felt no irritation in replying to the same question all 23 times and when today the Father asked his Son the same question just 4 times, the Son felt irritated and annoyed. So.. If your parents attain old age, do not repulse them or look at them as a burden, but speak to them a gracious word, be cool, obedient, humble and kind to them. Be considerate to your parents.From today say this aloud, “I want to see my parents happy forever. They have cared for me ever since I was a little child. They have always showered their selfless love on me. They crossed all mountains and valleys without seeing the storm and heat to make me a person presentable in the society today”. Say a prayer to God, “I will serve my old parents in the BEST way.

I will say all good and kind words to my dear parents, no matter how they behave.
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Five Habits That Make You Look Unprofessional

Have you ever seen a coworker constantly show unprofessional behaviour and questioned about how they maintain their position in the organization?

Are you doing some self-reflection and wondering why you are able to stand out from the crowd, even you possess the appropriate education and experience?

While there may be other contributing factors that might delay your promotion, you may be displaying certain behaviour that are keeping you from growing professionally. These five things are some of the unprofessional habits that can prevent you from achieving success:

1.Wandering Eyes
You know this routine very well; it has become second nature to the point where you barely realize yourself doing it. When you disagree with someone, your instinct kicks in and you think you are being subtle by simply reacting with your eyes. However, don’t be too comfortable with it because your supervisor might already noticed what have you been doing. They may not mention it directly, but he/she might keep a record of these signs of disengagement and might prevent you from promoting. If you are frustrated with a certain decision, the best way is to discuss it directly with whoever is involved.

2.”It is what it is”
These saying may be common near the water cooler or during happy hour with your close buddies at work but the last thing your employer wants to hear from a promising employee is “you know how it is here”, or “that’s just how things are at XYZ”. Such statements show that you have formed unbreakable negative ideas about the organization. Instead, if you problematic decisions, do some research and discuss possible solutions with your supervisor at the appropriate time.

3.”In my opinion”
Sure, it is great to share your own opinion with your supervisor however constantly use of “in my opinion” will either make yourself sounds defensive or unwilling to be part of a team.It also signals that you are not ready for an advancement opportunity. Either way, it would be better to just say your opinion.

4.”You guys” syndrome
There is no quicker way to label yourself as an outsider than always referring the team as “you guys”. Even if there are practices that you may disagree with or want to improve, the best way to create changes is by first taking ownership of your position within the team so you can work together to turn things around.

5.”&*#$@!”
While this should be common sense, it would be surprising to realize how many professionals also believe that the common use of profanities is acceptable in a professional setting. Regardless of how unconventional your workplace might be, cursing in an office is the ultimate sign of unprofessional behaviour. While the U.S. Federal Communications Commission may now allow certain curse words on television, it still does not make it acceptable in a professional environment. Keep in mind that it’s not the curses that will drive your point across but rather your conviction and delivery of your speech.

With more people returning to school and gaining more degrees, the job market will be more competitive, so be sure to avoid these unprofessional behaviours in order to increase your chance of advancement.

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10 Actions You Can Take to Get Rich at an Incredibly High Speed

Do you want to be rich? Many people believe that being financially successful is pure luck, but there are many things that anybody can do to become rich.

From changing your mentality to extra learning, check out 10 actions you can take to get rich at an incredibly high speed.

1. Think of four ways you could make money outside of your job.
If you want to be rich it is important to stop thinking “I earn enough” and to start thinking “I could earn more.” Write down four ways you could earn money outside of your main job. From creating an e-book to selling on Amazon, there are many ways you could increase your income that would only require a little effort and time.

2. Learn in your free time.
To move up in your career and become rich, you must master new skills and knowledge in your area. Instead of just focusing on putting effort in at work, it can be very useful to learn more about your area in your free time. There are many ways you can do this, from reading books to listening to pod-casts to attending classes and seminars. Remember that the more skilled you are, the more you deserve to earn.

3. Set specific financial goals.
“If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always gotten.” This phrase is very true when it comes to finances, with many people believing that their financial goals are to pay the rent and bills. If you are already paying your rent and bills, it is time to set higher financial goals, such as saving, paying off debt or increasing your annual income. Mentality is important; always think big when it comes to your finances.

4. Make money your friend instead of your enemy.
Money pays for your home and it is has the ability to give you security, so it is important to view money as your friend and not your enemy. Write down 20 things you are glad your money pays for, such as your home and your new shoes. If you struggle to see money in a positive light, remind yourself that money can either open doors or closes doors—it is your choice.

5. Solve a problem every week.
Rich people choose to focus on solving problems, rather than complaining about them. This attitude helps to improve your solution thinking, opening your eyes up to new financial opportunities and chances that could benefit you. Write down a financial problem once a week, such as raising your income or figuring out how to lower the price of your grocery shop, and come up with a practical solution to solve the problem. Keep going until you have improved all aspects of your financial situation.

6. Get a library card.
A library card is excellent value for money and opens up new worlds of knowledge. Having a library card gives you the option to expand your knowledge in your chosen area without spending too much, which is the perfect tactic to help you earn more money within your career.

7. Do something that pushes you out of your comfort zone.
Many people are too scared to make uncomfortable decisions, but rich people are often more willing to. From leaving your job so you can start your own business to asking for a raise, many choices that seem initially difficult will be financially rewarding. Do something that makes you feel uncomfortable but may improve your life situation. It is pleasant to be comfortable, but it is much better to improve your life and financial situation.

8. Track your financial progress every month.
If you are bad with spending, it doesn’t matter if you are rich or not. You could have a high wage and still be left with little to nothing by the end of the month. Write down your income, as well as all of your out-going expenses. Is there anything that costs too much which you can cut out? This gives you a chance to see the bigger picture and allows you to make changes that will improve your finances.

9. Prioritize your goals.
You probably already have financial goals, but if you having too many can mean none of your goals are met. Instead of simultaneously trying to save up for a car and a holiday while paying off debt, decide which goal is your most important. Focus on achieving that, and then move on to your next goal.

10. Start investing wisely.
If you have no experience of investing, don’t start to invest without knowledge. Speak to a professional about how to invest well, or read up on the subject on-line. When you are educated and knowledgeable about investing, make small investments in business you know will be lucrative.

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