The beauty of gig work is that as your own boss you set your own schedule, choose where and when you work, and have the opportunity to try many different jobs. And while the gig economy offers gig workers total flexibility, if you want to succeed as a gigster, you’ll need to learn how to navigate the gig economy in order to master it.
Luckily, that is not as hard as it might sound. Below, we’ll guide you through some of the tips and tricks successful gig workers use to thrive in the gig economy.
1. Set up your schedule – Many gig workers are drawn to the gig economy for its flexibility. Let’s face it; there is nothing like having a flexible schedule and setting your own hours. But the same flexibility that the gig economy offers to gig workers can also be a drawback if your time management skills aren’t top notch. What can you do? Plan out your workday in advance. Then, match your availability to open shift work and apply for those.
Don’t overcommit yourself. Instead, strive for a healthy work-life balance. It is easy to get burnt out from working too much and not working enough can leave you feeling unmotivated. Download the GigWorx app on your phone or computer to easily check for available gigs. Using a calendar app on your phone or computer to add tasks and schedule reminders will keep you up-to-date.
2. Consider your financial goals –Why do you want to be a gig worker? Are you looking to work full-time in the gig economy or do you have short-term financial goals? Maybe you want to supplement your income in order to pay off a nagging bill or sock money away for retirement. Or maybe you are planning an amazing vacation or saving for a wedding? No matter what your reasons, taking a goal-focused approach can help you get there.
Consider opening up special savings accounts for your short-term financial goals to hold your “fun” money. Think about how much you want to save each week or month and then commit to it. There are lots of free savings trackers, as well as apps for your phone (simply type in “savings tracker” in the Google Play search bar). Be sure you are picking up enough shifts to meet your financial goals and watch your savings grow.
3. Try a variety of work and find what you enjoy - When you are first starting out in the gig economy, you might not find enough gigs in your specific field. Don’t get discouraged. Expanding your search to include other types of gigs in different industries will diversify your skillset, supercharge your resume, and help to find your dream career. Shifts are available in a variety of fields.
It takes a certain level of tenacity to be a gig worker. You need to check for and apply to gigs to get the money rolling in. But being a gigster can also be a lot of fun. You might find yourself working in a new industry that you love. You may discover hidden talents you never knew you had and you might learn things you didn’t know about yourself. When you take your next gig, try applying these 3 tips and see how far you can fly.
