Turning Point to become a Freelancer

Anna Patricia Del Remedios
Mar 5, 2022
3 min read

Updated: Mar 12, 2022

A Life before I become Freelancer

Going back seven years ago, I was a fresh student who was enthusiastic, at the same time anxious, about entering the corporate world. Happily, I was able to work in a well-known Japanese Company as Administrative Assistant. I lived a life of a typical office girl that we can imagine like struggling in traffic everyday wondering if I could make it to the pick up point of shuttle service on time, skipping breakfasts, several meetings, urgent tasks, regular audits, revisions of reports, urgent tasks again, target setting, trainings, additional responsibilities, budget reviews, naps during lunch breaks, performance evaluations, food deliveries during payday, waiting for 13th month pay and performance bonus, overtimes, attending summer outing and year end party, promotion, enjoying concerts and book travels because I believe that I deserve these trips (LOL) and many more.

What made me decide to become Freelancer?

Everything seems normal and happy then COVID 19 Pandemic came into our lives. Everything around us changed. There was a two-month hard lock down in the Philippines. Two months staying at home with our loved ones thinking about safety and everyday needs of the family. Some companies were able to adapt with the situation immediately. I was one of those who wished for work from home set up. But unfortunately, I witnessed the transformation of our site to a new normal. There was a frequent adjustment of shuttle bus capacity based on Enhanced Community Quarantine Alert Level, transition of actual meetings to online meetings. Not to mention the low attendance rate caused by isolations and quarantines of the members. The effect was increasing scope of work with the same or lesser manpower. Dealing with anxiety brought by the pandemic made the situation even harder. And then, I started to get interested in Freelancing and other home based jobs. And tell you that my main reason why I want to work from home is to be with my papa all the time.

Future Freelancer here

I guess I started my Freelancing Journey by watching testimonies or vlogs of Successful Freelancers. One of the vloggers I watched was Ms. Mimi Luarca. I learned how to create accounts from different freelancing platforms such onlinejobs.ph, upwork.com, virtualstaff and so many more. These are platforms where we create our portfolios so that clients can get to know us more. This was also the time I got the urge to update my resume. Some of the services I offer clients are Data Entry and Analysis, Advanced Excel Formulas, Project Management, Inventory Management, Internet Research, Basic Photo & Video Editing and Social Media Management. These are the tasks I usually perform in my corporate job. Luckily, I was able to advance in the client's interviews. As I observed, most of the clients are looking for freelancers or virtual assistants that can usually start immediately. Since I am still in my current full time corporate job and I would like to render for 1 month to have ample time in transition and endorsement of tasks. I always missed the freelancing opportunities. But clinging to the hope that was not still the perfect time and the perfect client that God's planned for me. Until one day, God gave me the courage to leave my full time job. For me, I will continually lose the chances if I still stay in my corporate job. I found Surge Marketplace on Facebook, and got inspired by the testimonies of the virtual assistants. After my resignation, I enrolled myself in their Freelancing (Virtual Assistance) Course under Coach Julmar Grace Locsin so that I am still productive and efficient while waiting for my first client.

God’s Perfect Plan

Despite what is happening to the world around us, I must say, there are so many things to be grateful for. We were able to appreciate even small things in life. Everything was indeed in God's control. I hope someday, I will be able to inspire others with my freelancing story and be a happy freelancer.

To know more about Anna Patricia Del Remedios - Virtual Assistant, click here.