Remote Work

If you’ve been wondering why I’ve been quiet for nearly a month, I explain it all in the podcast episode linked above. But, in the meantime, here’s the story of how, I, someone who helps founders and business owners bring clarity and momentum to their ideas, got tangled in a web of my own. The Year Started With So Much Hope (And Unexpected Fear 😰) As 2025 began, I was transitioning out of my full-time remote role and back into running my online business serving multiple clients. I was excited. I had missed the thrill of working on diverse projects with clients from around the world. I saw it as a chance to reconnect with the remote work scene, something I had been longing (and procrastinating) to do for a while. But I was also terrified. I was scared of the unknown. I was scared of not having a predictable and regular paycheck. I was scared of not knowing how I’d find new clients in this new algorithm, ATS, tips and tricks, game-the-system driven world. But I chose to show up anyway. I had been mentally preparing myself for a couple of weeks, and when the time came, I hit the ground running fast. OK, maybe a little too fast…😂 The Passion Projects That Nearly Burned Me Out One of the first things I pursued was something I’d been feeling called to do for a while: coaching and mentoring aspiring remote workers on a somewhat large scale or bigger platform. This is something I had been wanting to do since I relaunched this blog last year in March. I’ve worked remotely for over a decade, and I wanted to share everything I’ve learned. No gatekeeping. No fluff. Just the honest, unfiltered truth, lessons and advice. It felt like the right time to dive into this mission because, hey, I now had more time. So I opened up my calendar to free 30-minute calls with anyone curious about remote work, especially from Zimbabwe. I also had an invitation to those who were willing to work with me further as part of a paid group coaching class or one-on-one. The response for the 30-minute calls was overwhelming, especially after the post about finding remote clients in Zim gained traction. My inbox and calendar were filled up. Before I knew it, I had done nearly 50 calls in a very short space of time. I was exhausted! Something I had started with the hope of adding value to the remote work community fast became unsustainable. I scaled back to one call a day, and eventually removed the free coaching calls from my booking page altogether. That wasn’t all. If you remember, from my last post, I also started Digital Skills Training this year. Again, there was an amazing response from my community and I had over 150 women enrolled. We’re actually just wrapping up with the first cohort but I must confess, I underestimated what was required of me running this large cohort and have since decided to go on a break before starting the next one. I genuinely love helping others and always want to make time. I would hate for anyone to walk out of my coaching and training and feel like they wasted their time and got zero value. Of course, it’s inevitable because our expectations not always the same. But I try to give as much as I can. And I guess that is where it gets sticky sometimes… As much as I love helping others, I realised I had to draw boundaries. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be much of me left to show up for my client work. This is the work that is and should remain my priority at the moment. And this is honestly the work that pays the bills. That was the first big red flag: I was giving too much of myself to something that wasn’t supposed to be my full-time focus. Chasing Quick Wins and Losing Myself In The Process Next came the scramble to generate income. I started offering quick-turnaround services like web design projects, social media management, anything that could get me clients easily and quickly. And it worked… for a while. But slowly, it started to feel off. You see, I spent a lot of time and energy in seeking out these quick turnaround projects and completely neglected something important along the way. I was trying to be everywhere, do everything, serve everyone. Along the way, I lost clarity in all my messaging and completely neglected promoting the core value I knew I could deliver for business owners outside of these quick turnaround services. I started to experience stress, a little confusion and a lot of burnout. More than once, a long-time client, who I resumed working with at the beginning of the year, asked me, “Tariro, what exactly are you doing these days?” I didn’t have a clear answer. I tried to dodge her every time she would ask this because I did not want another long lecture. I did not want her to tell me the truth. So I would just give her some vague responses sprinkled with excuses. But deep down, I knew I was drifting…not sure to where. Even on LinkedIn, when I (finally) slowly started stepping out to clarify on the work I do as an Online Business Manager, I got comments like, “I didn’t realise this is what you did. I need you on my project!”. I have a friend who only recently found out I design websites and reacted: “Wait… why am I just hearing this now?” My honest answer to all these questions from people who know me, who have worked with me, who are ready to recommend my work and services any day: Because I was jumping from one idea to the next, running away from committing to the one thing I know I am capable of delivering great value in. The one thing that ties together all of my “quick

I hate this question. So much. Yeah, there, I said it. If you have ever asked me this, I thought you should know. But, trust me, it has nothing to do with you. It has everything to do with me. I struggle with answering this question because I feel like I never have a straightforward answer to it. When people hear my story of how I left my corporate banking job 11 years ago, I think they assume I was over the moon about it. Newsflash! I was not. I was terrified. I was relieved. I was scared of what could possibly happen or not happen. I was scared of failing. I was scared of leaving the comfort of a salary, medical aid, fuel and all the perks that came with the job and going back to having to figure out how to recharge my phone with a juice card. Tjo! I was afraid of running out of money (which I quickly did) and just struggling. Yet. I still made the decision to quit my job with all of these things in sight. Why? Well, my life was honestly set up differently then. I was in my 20s and living with my parents for starters and I had managed to convince myself that if it didn’t work out within x number of months, I would just go and look for job in corporate. And guess what? It didn’t quite work out especially in that first year but I found the highs of remote and flexible work so thrilling, I decided, “A luta continua!” and continue I did. Fast forward to today, my life is set up different. I don’t live with my parents anymore and I’m actually a parent myself. Would I make the same decision? Maybe yes. Maybe no. You see why I hate this question? Because it all depends on the circumstances. It depends on what’s at stake. Is it my child’s welfare? Is it my mental state? Is there something at stake? Because if my child’s welfare is at stake if I stay in an in-person job, maybe I work long hours or I don’t have childcare, I’m likely going to quit and look for flexible options. If my mental health is at stake if I stay in this in-person job, I may choose to stay and engage a therapist as a start or, if my savings permit, wave my colleagues goodbye. What am I saying? I am not in a position in my life where I would just choose instability or uncertainty without just cause. And yes, sometimes my mental health is just cause. Sometimes my child is just cause. Now, maybe you are asking yourself this question. You are probably burnt out in your job or fed up with your bosses or colleagues. What should you do? I would say pick whatever decision you like and be prepared to live with it. This is why… You have to own your decision. You can’t make it based on vibes, or because someone else seems to be thriving remotely, or because you saw a TikTok about working on a beach in Bali. You have to make it based on your own situation, your values, your goals, and what you’re willing (or not willing) to risk. Remote work is not a magic fix. It’s not always a better alternative. It’s just different. It has perks. Oh yes, it has perks! But it also comes with its own challenges. You might get flexibility, but you’ll also need discipline. Do you have it? You might get freedom, but you might also feel isolated. Can you stand loneliness? You might escape a toxic workplace, only to realise that you miss the energy of being around people. And if you’re thinking of quitting your in-person job to find a remote job, that’s another layer to consider. Remote jobs are so competitive. Are you ready to compete at the level they demand? Remote jobs also don’t always pay as well at the beginning, especially if you’re making a pivot. They can take time to find. Are you okay with that time gap? Do you have savings? A support system? A plan B or C? This is not to scare you. It’s to ground you. Quitting isn’t failure. Staying isn’t weakness. Choosing stability isn’t being boring. Chasing freedom isn’t being reckless. It all depends on why you’re making the decision and what you need right now. So, should you quit your in-person job to pursue remote work? Only you can really answer that. But here’s what I would say: Make sure you’re running towards something, not just running away from something. Make sure you’re aware of what you’re giving up, just as much as what you’re gaining. And whatever you choose, stand ten toes down in that decision. Learn from it. Pivot if you need to. You’re allowed to change your mind. I don’t have a straight answer. I never have. But I do know this: your life, your season and your priorities matter. Let them guide you Before you make the leap, ask yourself: What matters most to me right now? What am I willing to risk, and what do I want to protect? Let your answers (not fear, not pressure, not Instagram posts or a TikTok or YouTube influencer) lead the way.

Did you know that you don’t have to start from scratch to land a remote job? The skills you already have might be your ticket to working from anywhere! One of the common questions people ask me when considering remote work is, “What can I do remotely with my skills?” or “I am currently a [insert a job title]. What can I do remotely?” My answer to this is simply: Start with what you already know. One of the beauties of remote work is that it doesn’t require you to reinvent yourself from scratch. Instead, it gives you the opportunity to build on your current skills, adapt them to digital work environments (because that’s the heart of what remote is), and grow into new opportunities over time. I left a managerial tech role to become a Virtual Assistant eleven years ago. I was able to immediately apply skills from that job and my previous experiences, even though they weren’t all tech-related. These skills helped me move forward in my new role. That doesn’t mean my tech skills became irrelevant; they were just applied in a different way. I feel like many people underestimate the value of the skills they already have. Whether you have experience in administration, HR, marketing, customer service, finance, or any other field, there’s a remote opportunity that can leverage your expertise. Think about what you already do well, what people often ask you for help with, and what tasks you enjoy doing. These are usually great indicators of where to start in your remote work journey. Here a few example to help you brainstorm… If you excel at administrative tasks or are naturally organised, both in your own work and when supporting others, a Virtual Assistant role could be a great fit for you. Back in 2014, I chose to become a VA because I genuinely enjoyed helping, supporting, and organising, especially for small business owners. Even in supervisory or leadership roles now, I remain the same kind of person who is just naturally inclined to help. Do you have experience in or a passion for customer service or client-facing roles in any industry? If so, exploring remote roles in Customer Success, Customer Support, or Customer Experience in remote-centric industries could be a great opportunity. Personally, I love client and user support roles, especially in remote settings. I believe many businesses could better serve their clients, and whenever I’m in such a role, I go all in to ensure customers are satisfied with the support they receive. If you share this passion, you’ll thrive in a remote client care role because when you treat clients well, your work will speak for you and you’re set to thrive. If you have experience in teaching or training, online education and course creation have been booming industries, especially since the pandemic. I may be a little biased because I enjoy working in this space, but the opportunities are undeniable. In recent years, many teachers and trainers in developed economies have been learning skills like User Experience (UX), Learning Experience (LX), and Instructional Design to transition into remote education-focused roles. Here in Africa, some teachers realised the possibilities of online education during the pandemic and never looked back. These are just a few examples of how you can transition from one role to another without necessarily starting from scratch but starting from your experience. Keep Learning & Growing It’s important to understand that remote work is dynamic. No two clients or companies operate the same way or use the exact same tools. You might even find yourself working with multiple teams, each using different platforms for communication, for example. This makes continuous learning essential. As you gain experience, you’ll identify gaps in your skills and areas for improvement. Investing in upskilling, whether through online courses, mentorship, coaching, or hands-on practice, will help you stay competitive and unlock new opportunities. Some key skills that are valuable in remote work include: While technical skills get your foot in the door, soft skills help you thrive in a remote work environment. Since you’re not physically present with your team or clients, how you communicate and collaborate matters a lot. Some essential soft skills include time management, proactive communication, adaptability and self motivation. Who is hiring for remote roles? Many businesses have fully embraced remote teams, with some industries being more open to remote hiring than others. Though return-to-office (RTO) mandates have been making headlines, many companies remain committed to remote work because it makes financial and cultural sense for them. Understanding where the opportunities lie can help you align your skills with the right roles. Industries with strong remote hiring trends include: Why tech should be your BFF Regardless of your role, technology is no longer optional. It’s now a necessity. Every job now has a digital component, and the better you are at using tech as a tool, the more efficient and effective you will be in your role. For example a Virtual Assistant who knows automation tools like Zapier can save time and add more value. If you’re a marketer who understands AI-driven analytics, you have the potential to create more effective campaigns. A customer support agent who understands how chatbots and CRM systems work can handle client requests more efficiently. So instead of fearing technology, see it as a tool to help you work smarter, not harder. You don’t need to be an expert in coding or data science. However, having a tech-friendly mindset will give you an edge. If you read my previous post, this will probably sound like repetition but I honestly believe this deserves to be emphasised on a few more times. Next steps? Remote work is full of opportunities, but success starts with recognising what you already bring to the table. Build on your existing skills, keep learning, refine your soft skills, and embrace technology. The more adaptable and proactive you are, the more doors will open for you in the world of remote work.

Ever since this post decided it wanted to blow up, I have had many Introduction Calls booked with amazing individuals. They are interested in working remotely but don’t know where to start or where to look for opportunities. I’m glad to have shared my experience with them and offered a few pointers to help them get started. I even have a very smart and enthusiastic recent school leaver who landed a remote role working just a few hours a week through my network. Unfortunately, I need to say this here and now (again) that I don’t have a pool of remote jobs waiting. I share strategies that help aspiring remote workers land remote roles. Now, in most of these calls and conversations I continue to have with people who wish to pursue remote work, I have realised that there is a common misconception that remote work is only easy to get for those who work in tech or some kind of IT function. I have gotten used to hearing statements like, “It’s easy for you ka imi ana Tari vari muIT” or “But experience yangu inoita here iyoyi kuRemote?” (Translation: “It’s easy for you Tari because you are in IT” or “But will my experience be relevant for a remote role”) I thought to write this post to speak to those who may be thinking this and are wondering how they can actually get remote roles when they are not techies. Let me start with a story… When I left my job in 2014 to become a Virtual Assistant, I was working in tech. I was an IT Manager for a local bank in Zimbabwe and led the team that was developing and supporting our banking applications. When I decided to become a Virtual Assistant, I was signing up for a job that had nothing to do with tech. The only skills I took with me into this new role were reading, writing, communication and basic computer and internet literacy. I believe most people who can operate a smartphone, computer, and navigate at least one social media platform with ease (even just to socialise) would have also qualified. As I was drafting this article, I decided to go back to my very first client contract from 2014 and review the tasks I was contracted for. There was absolutely nothing related to my previous job. Yet, I managed to maintain this client relationship for seven years, and they paid me consistently over that period. There were seasons in which I wouldn’t have client work, and this client’s work paid to “keep my lights on”. Yes, something that had absolutely nothing to do with IT. I have worked with clients as a Virtual Assistant doing all kinds of tasks that have nothing to do with tech, including helping a client plan her wedding! You might be wondering, “But, Tariro, is that still remote work?” In my world, it is, because I was hired online and coordinated with service providers using various internet tools like Whatsapp and email. I only had to show up the day before the wedding for my client. Seeing everything come together beautifully, getting to wear my lovely dress, and joining in the wedding party was such a rewarding experience which I have shared in the past on my IG here. There are so many roles that are not necessarily tech roles in which you can thrive and earn a decent income as a remote professional. I think we need to separate something being of a tech nature from digital literacy and having digital skills. Whether we like it or not, we are now deep in the digital age, and to thrive in this evolving work environment, you need to have some level of comfort working with basic tech tools. You need to know how instant messaging applications work, and this goes beyond WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. In the world of remote work, you also need to be proficient with applications like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Chat, and Telegram. Grasping how these applications work will help you collaborate more effectively as part of a remote team. If you want to become a Virtual Assistant, you need to learn how to make the most of email applications like Gmail and its integrated tools like Calendar, Zoom, and Google Meet. If you are handling operations within a team, you need to get comfortable working with project and team management tools like Asana, Trello, and Monday. As a freelance writer, you should learn how to use tools like Grammarly and ChatGPT to support your creative work and increase your efficiency. You want to also learn SEO skills to write for better ranking on search engines. As a marketer, you want to know how to maximise automation tools like ManyChat to achieve better engagement on your campaigns. All of these are just examples of non-tech roles that require professionals to embrace tech and use it to be more efficient in their work. So when you think of remote work, don’t assume it’s only for tech professionals. It’s for those who are willing to learn digital tools and commit to upskilling in the digital space. You need to get comfortable using different tech tools to enhance your work because recruiters, agencies, and business owners are looking for professionals who can do this effectively. CVs are great—I have one! But to be honest, not one remote job I’ve worked in the past 11 years has required me to submit it. What mattered more? How I communicated my skills and my ability to demonstrate that I could do what I claimed. The only way to gain the confidence to say this and back it up is to commit to learning and taking action. Don’t disqualify yourself from remote work opportunities just because they seem unfamiliar. If you desire flexibility in your work, start by equipping yourself with the right skills. If you’re unsure where to begin with learning digital tools that will help you navigate

There are many reasons people choose to work remotely. Some are looking for a supplementation of their income, whilst others are looking for a more flexible way to work because they have a disability, young or special needs dependants, or they just want it that way. Whatever one’s reason is to choose this mode of working, it’s important to define the reason you want to work remotely for yourself because this is how you will be able to measure whether or not you are being successful on this path. Personally, when I started out working remotely over a decade ago, I really wanted three things. I wanted to help small businesses and individuals operate more efficiently. I wanted to be able to work from anywhere. I wanted money to fund my desires to travel to different places as and when I wanted. However, here’s my truth. The first and the second were almost easy to attain and say, I am succeeding at this. I was working with small businesses in various industries and really could do it from anywhere. I was not obligated to work in one place. The third piece, though, was a rollercoaster. A seesaw. Up and down. There were times when I would make money to spare to travel, and there were times when I would really be on struggle trips, counting those coins with a racing heart in the middle of those travel moments. But you know what? I was happy (for the most part). However, because my goals have since shifted, especially after I became a parent, I have days when I say to myself, You know what? Maybe I shouldn’t have gone on that trip. Could have saved those coins for something better. There are days… OK? So given this background, I really want to talk to you about what success should look like when you are working remotely. Should you make $20K a year? $50K? Over $100K? Should you travel to Europe every year? Should you buy a car every year? Should you buy a stand every year? Should you be able to rent in a certain part of the city without having your finances cough? Should your children be in a certain kind of school? Should you frequent certain restaurants where you can work and take cute pictures from? Should you positively impact businesses and make a difference in how they operate while also contributing to their revenue? Should you be able to define your working hours and have time aside for your family and friends without having awkward conversations with your boss about why you cannot work this weekend? I could go on. Do you know why? Because success looks different for each one of us. What is a priority for me in 2025 may not be a priority for you. We all want different things at different times in our lives. And it’s so easy to get caught up in wanting all of these things at once. But do we really? Personally, I am on an ever-learning journey of prioritising my needs and wants. Of the many things I want out of this life, there are a few that are incredibly important to me when it comes to defining success in remote work—and they haven’t really changed much from my initial reasons, to be honest. What Success Means to Me Firstly, flexibility. This is so important to me, especially considering my son’s condition and being a single parent. It’s important to me that I am able to show up for him as and when he needs me. Not to be mistaken with showing up with mediocrity, though. Far from it. I am still going to work to deliver my best for my clients. However, it’s very important to me that I don’t get side-eyed when I have to cut a call because he’s having the mother of all meltdowns or I have to assist him with potty routine in the absence of my helper. I don’t want to feel awkward because I have to show up for him or any other loved one. A few years ago, my dad was in hospital suffering a long battle with pancreatic cancer. I would go visit him at nearly every visiting hour and stay the full hour. In between, he would see me on my phone responding to messages. One time, he asked me, Aren’t you supposed to be at work? And I said, Daddy, I’m working remotely. I can respond to messages anytime and can just step out if I need to be on an urgent call. Then he asked if me being there that often wasn’t an issue. I said no. They know I’m here, and they know you are not well. He would ask me the same questions on some occasions when I would need to take him or pick him up from chemo too. However, on this day, he told me, You work for good people. I don’t even remember what I responded back, but I felt what he said. It’s important to work for kind people. It’s important to work for people who afford you the opportunity to show up fully in other parts of your life outside of work. It’s important to have flexibility because life happens to everyone, anytime. I’m blessed to have worked with people who understand this over the years. They make my work more pleasant and motivate me to show up as my best, most authentic self. Secondly, money, money, money. And it’s not even to travel to some resort somewhere for vacation every now and again. Money for basic living. Everything is expensive! From child care to food to the internet itself that allows me to do all of my work. I’m not even talking about luxuries (yet!). I’m sure you’ll agree with me that, the world over, the cost of living is not to be messed with, especially after the pandemic. I’m not even going to dance around this one.

Some time last year, I shared a blog post in one of the WhatsApp groups I’m part of, detailing my experience working remotely. Shortly after, someone messaged me privately, claiming I didn’t understand what I was talking about. According to them, it was impossible to get a remote job while living in Zimbabwe. Are you also curious about how to find remote work clients whilst in Zimbabwe? Then this blog post is for you, but first let me tell you how this conversation unfolded… Curious, I asked why they believed this. Their response? Most companies require you to have a visa to work for them, and some just don’t want to hire Zimbabweans or people from Africa in general. I countered these assumptions, explaining that this wasn’t true and suggesting that they probably needed to change strategy of the kind of roles and opportunities they were looking for. Then they hit me with, “Anyway, you wouldn’t understand. Hanti you’re based in the US.” Ladies and gentlemen, I am not based in the US. I live in Harare, Zimbabwe. I understand how the confusion arose, though. At the time, I was using a US number for WhatsApp, so it’s easy to see why someone might jump to that conclusion. For clarity’s sake, here’s how I got that number and what I also explained to him: I purchased an eSIM via an app called Numero. This app allows you to pay an annual fee for a phone number from any country of your choice, mostly the US and European countries. The number works for receiving calls and SMS within the app and can also be linked to services like WhatsApp. As long as you have a debit or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, etc.), you can buy one too. The world is becoming increasingly connected, opening doors for those who might otherwise be excluded because they cannot receive an international call, for example. But that’s not the main story here. Today, I want to address the myths about working remotely while living in Zimbabwe and the mistake I see a lot of aspiring remote workers make as they are looking for clients. Many people believe it’s nearly impossible to land a remote job, that there’s no way for clients to pay you given the complexities of our financial systems, or that employers simply won’t hire someone based in Zimbabwe. I could go on. Here’s the truth: There are clients around the world who are ready and willing to hire you remotely, even if you’re in Zimbabwe or its neighboring countries. There are also clients who are based in Zimbabwe who are ready and willing to hire you regardless of where you live. The key is demonstrating your value and articulating how you can help their business. But (and this is a big but) you need a certain mindset to succeed. You’ll need to take ownership of your work, promote yourself, and clearly communicate your value. Be comfortable talking about what you do, the problems you solve, and the results you deliver. If you struggle with articulating your value, I strongly advise you to consider working with a coach. If you’re like me, you probably weren’t born with this skill. I had to learn while working with personal branding and business coaches, and you can learn too. Now, when I look back on my journey over the past decade, I’m struck by how many of my clients have been in or from Zimbabwe. Like many aspiring remote workers, I initially thought I needed to look outside Zimbabwe to find paying clients. So, I set up profiles on Fiverr and Upwork, hoping to land gigs. Unfortunately, I didn’t succeed there. Instead, I encountered more scam enquiries than genuine opportunities. To this day, I’ve never landed a client through those platforms. They’re highly competitive, and the current “pay-to-play” dynamics (i.e. if you pay for visibility it boosts your chances of having your profile seen) make them even less appealing to me. My profiles still exist and are up to date, but I don’t put much energy into them. What I’ve learned is this: dismissing Zimbabwe as a viable market for remote work could mean missing out on significant opportunities especially as you are getting started. Many freelancers and aspiring remote workers focus solely on earning in USD because of how volatile our local currencies are. USD is seen as a store of value. But in Zimbabwe, USD is part of our day-to-day trade, so finding clients who are willing to pay you directly via bank transfers, EcoCash, other mobile money services or even in cash could actually be an easier way to get started in the world of remote work. Remote work doesn’t mean masses of land or water have to separate you and your clients. It just means you are where you are, and your client is where they are. You could even be in the same neighborhood! Anyway, here are some of my tips if you are looking to find remote work clients in Zimbabwe. How To Find Remote Work Clients In Zimbabwe Start Talking to People Network online and offline. Attend local events, and connect with business owners who might need help. Many businesses are looking for ways to leverage digital tools or improve their operations but can’t afford full-time hires. Offer solutions tailored to their needs. Flexible hires are usually welcome by a lot of business owners today. Build Relationships Ask for referrals. Don’t be shy about this. Many opportunities come from word of mouth. I used to feel embarrassed when clients mentioned me at networking events, but those glowing reviews were often the key to my next opportunity. Embrace them and use them as opportunities to shine. Understand Local Needs Many Zimbabwean businesses need assistance in areas like digital marketing, tech solutions, customer support, and operational efficiency. Position yourself as someone who can deliver value in any of these areas. Ready to Work Remotely in 2025? Are you based in

Let’s get this out of the way quickly before I start: I am assuming that “aspiring remote workers” are those who want to look for opportunities online to apply themselves as freelancers, contractors or full time employees with the skills that they possess and not necessarily migrate to a remote mode of working with their current employer. When I started working online in 2014, I didn’t even realise that I was getting myself into a whole different world of work. I had been working in IT for a bank for just over three years before I decided I wanted to become a Virtual Assistant (VA) supporting small business owners around the world. Working in tech, from our very limited access IT office, I woke up every day with work to do, business users clamouring at our door and in our IT Helpdesk inbox. I’m not going to lie – I really thought that it wouldn’t be any different after I announced that I wanted to be a VA and was ready to serve. I got the surprise of my life! I think this was the first reality check I had as I was starting out, and each time I speak to aspiring remote workers, I want to start with getting their mind right about what they are about to get themselves into. If you are reading this and are looking to dive into remote work in 2025, this message is especially for you. I am speaking directly to you. Working remotely requires that you make some significant shifts in how you view and approach your work because, oftentimes, the mindset, culture and systems required for you to succeed are not necessarily the same as if you were working on-site or in-person. It’s easier now to have this conversation given what the entire world had to go through with the pandemic back in 2020. Some people had never used Zoom, Teams, or Google Meet until Covid-19 happened. We got to a point where this was now normalised. However, for many, this did not feel normal. They still felt like something was missing or struggled with achieving positive outcomes whilst working remotely, and it was actually a relief for them having to return to the office and do work “normally” again. So how do you prepare your mind for a career working remotely? 1. Your Personal Brand is Now Your Full-Time Job Your personal brand is what sets you apart in a crowded online market. When you work remotely, potential employers or clients don’t get the chance to meet you in person. Your LinkedIn profile, portfolio, social media presence, and even the tone of your emails are your first impression. You need to be intentional about how you present yourself and what story you’re telling about your skills, experience, and values. Consistency is key. Make sure your profiles align and clearly communicate what you do. Invest in a professional headshot, write a compelling bio, and showcase your work in a way that’s visually appealing and easy to navigate. Your online presence should make people say, “This is someone I want to work with.” Personally, I did not even know the first thing about this when I was starting out and because I didn’t know about it, I missed out of the potential value of having it in place in the beginning. I struggled with landing my first clients because I could not convince business owners I could do what I said I could so. They just couldn’t take my word for it. It was only a few years later I started appreciating that whatever activities I chose to engage in online, would speak for me 24/7 even during times when I was not actively selling my services and help build trust with my audience. I learnt the value of talking about what I do and the value I bring to business owners and their teams and with time it became easier to convince business owners to work with me. If you seriously considering building a career working remotely and positioning yourself for opportunities, you need to take your personal brand seriously and understand that it’s not just good looking headshots. It’s also what you say, the work you do and how you engage with others online. 2. Self-Motivation and Discipline Are Non-Negotiable Once you’ve nailed your personal brand, the next step is learning to motivate yourself because no one else will. Working remotely means no one is physically there to watch over your shoulder or remind you of deadlines. You’ll need to be proactive about managing your time and tasks. This shift can be challenging, especially if you’re used to the structure of an office environment. When I was starting out, I used to work from home and my mum would casually say stuff like, “Wanna go to Westgate and get some doughnuts?” I would love to lie to you right now and say I would tell her, “No mhamha. Ndiri pabasa!” (Translation: No mum. I’m working). I would not do that. Instead, I would just drop my work and join her to the mall, then come back and continue 2 or so hours later having lost my train of thought. This went on for the rest of that first year but I realised that I was not going to win behaving like that. I was lying to myself that this was the freedom I had signed up for, but was it, really? It definitely wasn’t. I then moved to my dad’s office the following year. It was better, because everyone there was in work-mode but because there was high traffic of clients coming in and out, it was so easy to get distracted. The following year, I moved again to a co-working space and for a number of years that followed I actually work in shared office spaces and that worked much better than working from home. Today, I work from home – 99% of the time. I guess because

Happy New Year, fam! What a blessing it is to witness another year! I am so grateful that God has given me the opportunity to serve Him and others. This is a privilege I don’t take lightly. Last year, on March 1st, I started this blog with the intention of sharing stories about my journey in remote work, working in tech, and navigating life. Writing has always been a passion of mine—mostly as a way to entertain my friends through my social media updates. I honestly can be such a joker 🤡 But in 2024, I decided to take it more seriously because some friends and family have long bet that I’d be one of those to land a book deal. Well, let’s not disappoint them, shall we? 😉 One day is one day. Stepping into 2025 This year, I’m beyond excited about upcoming projects and collaborations. Towards the end of 2024, I decided to feel the fear and do it anyway. What did I do?I (finally) launched the audio version of this blog, Stories I Tell, to give my audience the option to listen to my posts. Why an audio blog? If you’re like me, sometimes you don’t have the time to sit and read, but you can easily multitask while listening to your favorite podcast. Plus, I believe some (if not all) of these stories deserve to be told in my voice and tone. To everyone who has taken the time to listen to the first few episodes. You are my Superstars! 🌟 Thank you for your feedback and support – it has been invaluable in helping me improve. But let me be honest: This wasn’t my first attempt at launching a podcast. Back in 2021, I recorded my first episode but never published it. Fear held me back: So, I shelved the idea indefinitely. But as I rekindled my love for blogging, the podcast idea came back to me. This time, I promised myself I’d do it differently by just being me. That meant that sometimes I would feel scared, sometimes it would not be perfect but I embraced that fear and imperfection and started anyway. Declaring 2025: My Year of Bold Moves, Intentional Progress and Empowering Others This year, I’m all about bold, intentional actions; whether it’s pushing past fear, launching new projects, or holding myself accountable. Speaking of accountability, towards the end of last year, a dear one suggested we start having accountability calls. At first, the idea scared me. The pressure! But I knew how valuable it would be, so I agreed. After all, intentional moves often yield positive results, even if we can’t always control the final outcomes. Reigniting My Coaching Journey Another bold move for 2025 is fully committing to coaching and mentoring aspiring remote workers. Six years ago, I started a community to equip Virtual Assistants with skills and support for success in the online marketplace. But (full transparency alert 🚨) I struggled with consistency and got discouraged by low turnout for my weekly live sessions. If you don’t know what I’m talking about see video below 👇 View this post on Instagram A post shared by Wahala Room Of Africa (@wahalaroom) Over the years, my perspective around coaching and training has shifted. While growing numbers are great, I’ve realized that sometimes making a positive impact is far more fulfilling. That’s why I’m reopening the door to anyone who needs guidance as they navigate remote work. I never tire of sharing what I know, and every call is a deep, meaningful conversation I truly enjoy. This year, I’m excited to offer even more support to aspiring remote workers looking to thrive in 2025. If you’re interested, book a call with me here. Let’s chat about how you can set yourself up for success in the world of remote work. I can’t wait to connect with you! Wishing You a Blessed 2025 Here’s to a year filled with happiness, love, peace, and prosperity. Let’s make 2025 a year of bold moves and intentional progress.