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That Gig Economy Life: 5 Tips To Survive & Thrive As Your Own Boss
When I left an awesome full-time job to become a consultant, I felt both terrified and exuberant. I wanted a change in my life that would not only challenge me mentally and spiritually, but would afford me a life where I could call the shots and be in total control of how I spent my time. I also wanted to travel more and really live. I'd dedicated the first 10 years of my career to mostly work, and had never even really had an adult vacation or visited the places I'd written down in my journal as a child.
I took a leap of faith, built a steady roster of clients, faced failures, and accomplished major wins. I made and lost money. I traveled the world—some trips with clients, others solo.
Then reality hit. During slow months, I found myself among other professionals participating in what experts call the "gig economy", taking on work I never thought I'd even be open to doing. (Hey, when you have a dream but still have bills to pay, you gotta do what you gotta do, right?)
Whether it's about gaining financial freedom, having independence, reaching a savings goal, or getting out of a money jam, jumping into the gig economy—that 1099 life as I like to call it—can be a liberating way to become the boss you always wanted to be. The gig economy involves freelance work or side jobs you can do for quick cash, such as website design from a successful Upwork contract, a short-term blog writing gig from a Craigslist post, or Uber or Lyft driving during a holiday or game season. There are so many companies and opportunities to choose from if you're open-minded, willing to do the legwork, and are a bonafide self-starter.
Here's the real deal on surviving and thriving in the gig economy:
Know yourself and your limits:
I once signed up with a popular food delivery company, and it was actually an exciting and eye-opening experience. As an introvert, I knew I just wasn't comfortable driving strangers around. Transporting take-out was a better option because it was safer and involved less interpersonal encounters. I got to travel to different areas and places, learn about restaurant culture and customer service, and enjoy the convenience of weekly checks directly deposited into my account. Cons?
I spent lots of time waiting in my car for a delivery alert; the market was saturated in the area I worked, so I often only got delivers during unsavory hours or in areas that are not quite popular. (Oh, and there was that one time that involved a gravel-filled country road, several pitbulls, and a huge heavy box full of chicken and fixings that led me to take a few weeks off and reconsider ever delivering again.) Be sure you're taking on gigs that are a fit for your personality and skills.
Consider the return on investment:
Your skills and time are valuable. Be sure that whatever gig you're taking on is actually worth it in terms of time and value of the service you're offering. If you're designing a website, for example, calculate the cost per hour based on your experience and how much time it will take to complete. How does the project or gig enrich your life experience, career, portfolio, or resume? Do you feel safe, productive, and fulfilled? Will you earn enough funds to reach your goal or adequately pay your bills? Take these factors seriously, and consider them before pursuing or continuing to pursue a gig.
Closely consider and take care of your finances—especially taxes:
If you're in an industry that requires receipts for tax breaks, keep those receipts. Utilize apps where you can record, organize, and monitor things like receipts, time, mileage, food and other expenses related to the gig. Also, get tax help from a free resource offered by the base city where you work or hire a tax accountant or preparer. You'll need to be well-informed on properly filing taxes and managing your finances as a gig worker, otherwise it's just not worth the trouble.
Become super-OK with having to pivot and change activities and mindsets, sometimes at a moment’s notice:
At one point, I was doing deliveries, taking on editing gigs, and doing short-term consulting projects all at the same time. I was literally wearing three different hats, and I had to be able to shift in a way that was professional, fluid, and flexible. The gig economy can be very fast-paced and competitive, so having the ability to quickly transition into a different career mode or activity was key.
Keep balance at the forefront:
Thriving in the gig economy involves lots of hustling and mental tenacity. Be sure that you are incorporating self-care in your schedule and that you are avoiding burnout by not taking on more gigs than you can handle. I had to deliberately schedule morning meditation and workouts at least three times a week simply to protect my sanity. I also needed to be in top mental and physical shape to do well at multitasking the gigs I'd get per month. It's awesome getting checks from more than one source but you have to maintain integrity, do quality work, and still take care of yourself.
Being your own boss and having multiple sources of income can be rewarding. Just know exactly what you're getting into and how it will benefit you in the long run. If you can focus, know your why, and get a great return on investment, the gig economy might be the ideal place for you!
Being your own boss and having multiple sources of income can be rewarding. Just know exactly what you're getting into and how it will benefit you in the long run. If you can focus, know your why, and get a great return on investment, the gig economy might be the ideal place for you!
Featured image by Shutterstock
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This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
Feature image courtesy
Tubi has been gaining popularity due to its free sign-up and a vast selection of series and films. According to Deadline, the FAST (free ad-streaming television) service has seen a 14.7% growth from May and now has similar numbers to Disney+. So while many people have joked about Tubi having low-budget movies, the numbers don't lie.
In fact, I was one of those people who didn't get the appeal of Tubi, but the more I watched it, the more I enjoyed the content. They have some of our favorite TV series, such as Scandal and Star, as well as big films like the Fast and Furious franchise and cult classic Love & Basketball.
Tubi even has its own original movies and series that are just as entertaining. But while Tubi is on the come up, some of the low-budget movies and hood movies are still a must-watch. From Tubi originals to the hood movies, we've put together a list of shows and movies to add to your watchlist.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is an original Tubi movie that stars Hailey Kilgore (Juke from Power Book III: Raising Kanan), Damon Wayans, and Pam Grier. It's a love story gone awry after a robbery turns deadly, and a young couple faces many challenges to make it out alive.
The Dirty D
The Dirty D is one of the first things I watched on Tubi, as many people highly recommended it. It's a series set in a Detroit club, and it has all the drama you can think of. Murder, drug dealing, cheating, greed, and more.
Black Men Don't Cheat
In this film, a young woman grapples with the death of her husband while also discovering his secret life, which puts her in danger.
Mother May I
This movie fully captivates the overbearing mother. However, the ending will shock you as she goes a little too far.
The Stepdaughter
When a young girl moves in with her dad and his new wife, a series of unfortunate events occurs. This Tubi original will keep your attention with every turn.
These Men For Everybody
These Men For Everybody is a film that highlights the tangled web of friendships and relationships and how you can't trust anybody.
Best Friend
What happens when your best friend is obsessed with you? This movie, which stars Serayah and Marques Houston, answers this very question and takes us on a ride in the process.
What's Done After Dark
What's Done After Dark shows us that everything isn't always what it seems. The twist at the end is a real doozy.
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Feature image by rez-art/ Getty Images