Find your local role…

Just one experience from last week. I feel that local community is more important than ever. I know hat most of us are online for many hours and connecting with the ‘global village’. I have realised that internet always takes me mile away to different continents which is lovely but I do have less and less time for people around me. Now, when I am at home more than usual – I am thinking more about my immediate surroundings.

There are enough opportunities here under my nose for little odd jobs  that can help to boost my income. For me in particular, it is teaching and tutoring. Parents are tired of homeschooling and are happy to have a break from it. Another example is my cleaning of my extensive library. There is a lovely 15 year old girl who is collecting old book and redistributing them further. To see something like that makes me very happy and I am delighted if I can contribute. What I am trying to say is – try to look around in your community. What problems people living nearby face? Can you help somehow? Can you save them time with providing your services? You have understanding of the locale more then someone from faraway and you are more vested in than big business. You can offer the fact that the customers will know you in person and you literally live behind the corner. Moreover, you can balance the time you spend on the computer with some physical activity and something completely different…

You don’t have to stick to the usual ‘gardening or car pool’. Be inventive. Offer good price to the first customers. Ask for referrals. Team up with someone. People are often worried that they don’t have the right skills. Think about what you are good at. What are your hobbies? What you can share or teach? Can you provide delivery service? Can you do shopping for some people who can’t do it or do not have the time? Can you bake? Can you teach music – even at beginner level is fine. There are always beginners there 🙂 Can you prepare ‘prep’ packs, can you clean up places, organise room and wardrobes, can you transform someones garden into more sustainable one, can you help with composting, can you give advice on more sustainable living, can you teach makeup or styling? You don’t have to be a massive Youtuber or a big name on the market. In your local community YOU have the advantage because:

1. You are you. You live in the same conditions and have a greater understanding than some big companies.
2. You can offer better price.
3. Local people are more forgiving if they know you are one from the community – they will not expect an extensive portfolio and a good word from a neighbour is enough.

I am sure there are more advantages. I hope I have motivated you to get going. Be confident! Now is the best time ever to go out there and make it 🙂