Para sa Mga Nais Sumuko

March 16, 2018
by Anna Soriano 
Anna is a full-time freelancer and a mother of 4 boys. Aside from being a Top-Rated freelancer on Upwork, she is one of VABootcamp’s partners and coaches where she provides guidance to VABootcamp enrollees. Anna also hosts FLIP Chat & Chill and JasSuccess Fb live shows where they feature success stories and tips for freelancers in the Philippines.

Andaming successful freelancing stories…

Sa Facebook, we always highlight the ‘wins’ para maka-inspire sa ibang nagsisimula palang and to educate them on what's possible. But syempre, hindi parating ‘success’ ang makakasalamuha mo in your freelancing journey, lalong-lalo na sa UMPISA.

At dahil hindi natin masyadong napag-uusapan, I decided to write this post.

Para sa lahat ng freelancers or aspiring freelancers na napapagod, nawawalan ng pag-asa, or nakakaramdam na baka freelancing isn’t for them, para sa inyo eto. Nais kong makiramay by sharing this:

Okay lang na mahirapan.

Normal lang yun. If madali lang ang freelancing, eh di lahat na sana naging successful freelancers ‘di ba? But, that’s not the case.

Mahirap ang freelancing, but sabi nga nila, the struggle is worth it. Tibay ng loob at tiwala lang sa sarili.

Bago ako nagsimula magwork-from-home, sobrang depressed ako kase madame kaming utang. Nahila yung sasakyan namin, for foreclosure yung bahay namin na hinihulugan, 3 kids ang nag-aaral sa private school, at mas masaklap, wala akong mahanap na trabaho.

Left and right ang gastos.

Nakakabaliw. Nakaka-pressure. Ano bang kelangan kong gawin? Hindi ko alam.

Kung anu-anong raket ang sinubukan ko until I learned about freelancing. Syempre, sinunggaban ko agad yun.

Nagresearch ako at gumawa ng profile sa Upwork. Nag-send ng madaming proposals (di ko na mabilang) pero walang pumapansin at nagre-reply sa’kin. Super frustrated ako nun.

When I first heard of the VA Bootcamp, nakaka-hiya mang aminin, but wala akong budget para sa course. Thankfully, tinulungan ako ng brother ko para makapag-enroll.

We all have different situations. Araw-araw, iba’t ibang pagsubok ang ating kinakaharap. Whether it’s earning extra for your family, escaping debt, or getting that first online job, okay lang na mahirapan. Hindi ibig sabihin na hindi mo kaya.

Okay lang na mapagod.

Nakaka-dagdag pressure ‘yung mga personal goals natin sa buhay. Lalo na if nakikita mo yung mga bills na dapat bayaran.

It doesn’t help din na nakikita din natin sa social media that others are doing better than us. Buti pa sya ganito, buti pa sya ganyan. Ang ganda ng buhay nila habang ako, kulelat pa rin. Nakaka-pressure, besh.

Yung feeling mo na ginagawa mo naman ang lahat pero wala pa rin - nakakapagod!

Pero okay lang yan. Di naman tayo robot.

Isarado mo na muna ang laptop, tama na muna ang internet. Huminga ng malalim, magdasal at bumawi ng tulog para pagka-gising, fresh ka na ulit!?

Okay lang umiyak.

Samahan mo na ng ice cream at junk food habang nanunood ng nakakaiyak na palabas. Magbalot ng kumot at makinig ng mga hugot songs.

Kung ano mang trip mo para maipalabas ang iyong nararamdaman, okay lang yan.

Okay lang na maging mahina.

Pag nakakaramdam ako ng lungkot at depression, lalo na kung wala na akong matakbuhan, nakakahiya kay Lord kase parang last resort ko na sya parate, pero nagdarasal ako.

Walang mas hihigit pa sa power ng prayers. Epektib pramis! ? Mapa-anong problema man yan - trabaho, pera, family issues, pagod, lahat nakukuha sa dasal.

He said, cast your burdens upon me those who are heavily laden. Come to me all of you who are tired of carrying heavy loads… come to me and I will give you rest.

HINDI okay ang sumuko.

After mong magpahinga, umiyak, at magdasal, kelangan PUSH ulit tayo mga besh. Pag sumuko ka, game over na talaga yun so wag tayong sumuko, please.

If it helps, eto yung mga nakakatulong sa’kin sa tuwing nate-tempt akong sumuko:

1. Ask yourself: “How bad do I want this?”

Pag nahihirapan kasi tayo, we often forget why we’re working hard in the first place. Kaya kausapin mo sarili mo (mag-isa ha? ?)

Gusto ko ba talagang mag-work-from-home? Bakit ba kelangan na mag-succeed ako dito?

⇒  Ah, dahil ayoko nang bumalik sa dati kong trabaho.

⇒  Sawa na akong mamili araw-araw between my work and my kids. Pwede bang both?

⇒  T-R-A-F-F-I-C. Pagod na akong gumising at 4AM para lang makarating sa trabaho on time. Tapos uuwi ng late. Tapos, kinabukasan ulit! Aarrrrgh!

⇒  May gusto akong patunayan sa sarili ko.Kung kaya ng mga nababasa ko online, kaya ko rin!

Kung ano man ang personal reasons mo, write them down and i-remind mo ang iyong sarili. Believe me, mahahanap mo ang motivation na kelangan mo from yourself.

“I’d like to think freelancing isn’t about who is better. It’s about who wants it more.”-Glady Serrano-Unsay
2. Take action.

Yes, after mong mag-reflect, gora ulit mga besh.

Unfortunately, wala tayong shortcut para mag-succeed (online, offline, kahit saan). Kelangan talaga nating kumilos and mag-effort para makakuha ng client.

If VA Bootcamp student ka, balikan mo yung mga lessons and action items natin. Review mo yung profile and cover letters mo.Lubus-lubusan mo na!

Then, i-apply mo na kaagad-agad lahat ng mga itinuro doon. Wag mo nang patagalin pa para di mo makalimutan. Ganito lang ginawa ko para makahanap ng 1st client then sunod-sunod na.

3. Set realistic goals.

Minsan kasi, self-inflicted ang troubles natin. When we have unrealistic expectations, nakaka-dagdag lang ng pressure.

So, let’s get this straight:

- Hindi lahat ng clients nag-rereply agad-agad.

- Hindi lahat ng freelancers, naha-hire in one week.

- Hindi lahat ng online jobs makukuha mo sa Upwork lang.

- Hindi porke’t wala kang makitang results, hindi na totoo ang freelancing.

Magkakaiba ang timelines and methods natin. And also, remember that freelancing is a different world.

Intindihin mo kung paano mag-isip ang online business owners. Bakit hindi sila nag-rereply? Paano ko aayusin ang offer ko para mapansin nila ako?

Ayaw ni Upwork sa’yo, eh ano ngayon? Andaming platforms dyan, explore  explore ka lang.

Madaming options at super daming resources sa online world - use them to your advantage.

4. Get support from your loved ones.

I can confidently say na kinaya ko para sa pamilya ko. Pero, alam kong mas kinaya ko dahil sa kanila.

Kinausap ko si hubby about sa mga goals ko. Nagtulungan kaming mag-asawa, sabay-saby kaming nagdarasal buong pamilya. Fortunately, very supportive din ang mga relatives on both sides.

Higit sa lahat, hindi kame sumuko mag-asawa. So, after nung mga utang at financial problems, sabe ko sa sarili ko, ano pa ba ang pwedeng dumating? Alam kong kahit anong pagsubok, kakayanin ko dahil andyan sila.

5. Get support from your online community.

Very important ito dahil medyo bago pa ang freelancing para sa ibang tao.

Kelangan mo ng like-minded friends dahil maiintindihan ka nila. Kasi if magra-rant ka dun sa friend mong hindi naman freelancer, paano ka nila ma-gguide? Syempre, sasabihin nilang bumalik ka na lang sa corporate world diba?

Ang maganda din if meron kang freelancer friends is LAHAT (yes, lahat!) sila ay nakaranas ng rejections, frustrations, doubts, and mga kung anong challenges before mag-succeed. So, mapapayuhan ka nila and matututo ka sa kanila.

If wala ka pa nito, join our online group sa FLIP (Freelancers in the Philippines). Dyan nagtitipon ang mga 40K+ freelancers and aspiring ones.

May mga monthly meet-ups din para sa mga mas gusto nang personal na chikkahan. Welcome na welcome kayo dito ?

If VA Bootcamp student ka naman, meron din secret group para sa mga students. So, may mapag-tatanungan ka about sa assignments, interviews, at kung anu-ano pa online.

Hindi ka nag-iisa sa freelancing journey mo, besh!

Madami tayo at marami na rin ang nagging successful online, kaya alam natin that this works talaga. Whenever you feel down, rest if you must, but do NOT quit.

Sa mga nahihirapan pa ngayon, I’m sending you my virtual hugs.

You can get through this. Sabihin mo ng malakas, “Wuhoo! Kaya ko to!”

Now na! 1-2-3…

“Wuhoo! Kaya ko to!”

Para mas malakas, type mo na rin sa Comments section: “Wuhoo! Kaya ko to!”

Antayin ko ha? 😉

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by Anna Soriano 
Anna is a full-time freelancer and a mother of 4 boys. Aside from being a Top-Rated freelancer on Upwork, she is one of VABootcamp’s partners and coaches where she provides guidance to VABootcamp enrollees. Anna also hosts FLIP Chat & Chill and JasSuccess Fb live shows where they feature success stories and tips for freelancers in the Philippines.

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50 comments on “Para sa Mga Nais Sumuko”

  1. OMG ito na yata ang pinaka-relate kong post! 😀 Salamat at may nag-voice out whatever it is that I had been going through. Totoo, most posts are because they got new clients or their clients were praising them; none of which I have experienced yet. It's frustrating and God knows I envy them so much I frown and think they're faking it though I know totoo yung mga post nila.

    Ang mali ko po yata is I did not set my boundaries. Worse, I had let myself become affected by work issues that it frustrates me till I fall asleep. Maling mali.

    Yes, Ms Anna, Im saying this right now - "Woot! Kaya ko 'to!"

    Maraming salamat po!

  2. Thank u po Mam Anna for a truly inspirational message! Nakakamotivate for a newbie like me. I always read your blogs! Konting time na lang makakaipon na din ako for Bootcamp. Silent reader as of the moment. Wuhoo, kaya ko din ito! ?

  3. OMG as in OMG! you nailed me on this Ms. Anna, to be honest while I was reading this, literally im crying coz, this is what I'm going through right now, sabi ko whoever wrote this he/she's an angel from above. So thank you for your words, tagos mula balat hanggang kalamnan.... hanggang buto (walang sinabi ang chicken ng Max's) 🙂

    YES Ms. Anna!!!! Wuhoo! Kaya ko to!

  4. Anna,

    Hi, thanks for sharing this. Although I'm just starting the training modules, as early as now I've mixed feelings in being a freelancer. However I know that with all your help( as well as the others in the FLIP community) I know I can make it thru every ups and downs. Thanks again 🙂

    1. think of your biggest why kung bakit gusto mo magwork from home. If eto talaga ang gusto mo gawin go for it push... kaya mo yan 🙂

  5. Thank you ms. Anna....nakakamotivate s katulad kong nanay n ofw at gustong makasama ang pamilya s lahat ng pagkakataon at magkaron ng chance n makapagwork as freelancer...mejo mahaba habang pagaaral ang gagawin dhil s zero knowledge....push!

  6. I don't know if it's just a coincidence that I received an email about this article. True, literal na literal na GUSTO KO NA NG SUMUKO!!!! I've been into this freelancing for almost 6 mos. now and siguro iisipin nyo na napaka ikli pa ng panahon na ini spent ko pra maging successful agad ako. But with all the bills and expenses piling up, I'm starting to ask myself....para sa akin ba ito? I want to go back to the corporate world, peero pag naiisip ko yung hassles of going to and fro, nawawalan ako ng gana. Kaya lang....
    Tama ka Ms. Ana, wala naman tlgang madaling trabaho, sabi ko nga been there done that, nag Team Manager ako at madalas ako ang tga motivate ng mga agents ko na nawawalan n ng gana or nahihirapan na...very ironic noh? Kasi lahat ng mga sinasabi ko sa knila di ko mai apply sa sarili ko.
    Siguro nga, di naman masamang mapagod, kasi totoong pagod na ako, and nakakahiya tlagang aminin...c Lord ang bagsakan ng lahat ng sama ng loob ko. Minsan nga nahihiya na rin akong dumaing sa Kanya eh kasi dami nya na ring problema....hehehehe.
    Mahirap kasi pag you felt alone din sa mga laban mo, ako kasi mag isa ko hinaharap lahat ng problema ko (though I have a hubby pero parang wala). Humuhugot n lng ako ng lakas sa mga anak ko. Sabi nga sa commercial, "Ikaw, para kanino ka gumigising?"
    Totoo din, minsan ayoko nang magbasa ng post sa FB regarding success story, kasi syempre tao lang, nakakainggit naman tlga..lalao na yung nagcmula from a scratch, walang experience, tapos makikita mo successful agad!!!! Samantalang ako....
    But God is good. He is opening windows for all of us. I know that my time will also come that I will get what I truly deserve!!!!
    Thank you for sharing with us your experience. Napaka timely nito especially para sa akin, it came on the right place on the right time. Paiyak na nga sana ako eh, kasi ang dami daming problema...sabay sabay! When it rains it pours talaga!!!! Tapos eto nga, na received ko sa email ko yung article mo, na enlighten ako. Di dapat tlaga sumuko not unless pantay na ang mga paa natin, ahahahaha!!!!
    And I'm saying this - Woot!!! Kaya ko to!!! Ako pa ba?????
    Thank you again.....

    1. Minsan alam naman natin talaga sagot sa mga tanong natin, kailangan lang talagang marinig pa natin sa iba para i take into action ang mga bagay bagay 🙂 pero kaya mo yan 😉

    2. Pareho tayo Del, I also feel like God is so silent for my prayers, I've been struggle to find stable job since last year. Pero Kaya natin to!..

      1. Pag silent daw si Lord sa sagot sa prayers natin may inahahanda siya na mas maganda para sa atin sa tamang panahon 🙂

  7. Hi Ms. Anna! Nakakainspire naman! You know Ms Ana gustong gusto ko na din tlgang makapag work online kahit part time muna. I am currently working kasi sa bank pero gusto ko na din kasi sa bahay to look after my kids. I enrolled the VA bootcamp last year pa kaya ipush ko na tlaga to. Balikan ko ung lessons ko and pr

    1. Nakaenroll ka na so tapusin mo na yung course sayang ang binayad mo. Isipin mo kung para kanino ang gagawin mo para makapag work from home ka na rin at maapply mo ang mga natutunan mo sa course 🙂

  8. wooh kaya ko to! .. di pa aku nattapos sa VA BOOTHCAMP .. but because of this im still kicking .. eventually ill pass this.

  9. Gusto ko 2. Pero my doubts ako. Kc sa ngayon wla pa aqng laptop. At ano bng bank pwede mgbayad?

  10. Napakatimely ng post na ito. I've been a silent reader ever since I've joined the FB group. At palagi akong naaamaze everytime may nakikita akong successful story sa freelancing world. It's been more than one month na, pero wala pa din success. 🙁 May isa ngang tumanggap na client, pero fail naman ung project 🙁 Naubos ko na lahat ng connects at nagrefresh na siya and all, wala pa din reply sa ibang clients. Pero tama ka nga Ms. Anna, wag susuko 🙂 Thanks for this very inspiring post of yours. This makes us (newbies) to strive harder. Kaya niyo, kaya din namin! May God bless us all! ♥

  11. Hi Ms Anna! Thank you sa mga super real words that exactly describes my situation, though aspiring freelancer I have yet to go through it. Need a lot of brain storming before deciding to join freelancing. It will be a tough world and it doesn't promise a fairy tale story. Hoping for your mentorship soon madam ! 🙂 God bless!

  12. Wuhoo! Yes!! Kaya ko to. Kailangan kong kayanin for my 10mos. Old son. Para sa future niya kakayanin ko. Idol napo kita maam anna. Maraming Salamat!!

  13. Woooooh! kaya ko to! btw, kaka-enroll ko lang sa Bootcamp and mag s-start ng lesson later. Looking forward sa mga upcoming advices and inspiring words nyo. Thanks a lot!

  14. naiiyak po ako kasi sakto po ito for me. di po ako freelancer, though homebased worker ako under an agency. I just lost a client because of my non-compete tapos feeling ko talong talo ako kasi pera na naging bato pa. haayz. I know it's not the end of the world, pero sobrang nakakadown kasi mas makakamit ko na sana un goals ko kung ndi lang dahel sa mistakes ko (now client ko pa rin sya pero under the agency, laki ng cut nito for sure!!). thank you po. sulking lng now and helpful na you have this post that people can relate to! babangon ulit, banlaw lang tapos laban! WOOOT Kaya ko to!

  15. “Wuhoo! Kaya ko to!”

    Thanks Ms. Anna! Hope to enroll soonest sa Bootcamp. Continue inspiring and motivating people esp. moms like us.

    Lord bless you more!

  16. May I just say what a relief to find someone who genuinely knows what they are talking about on the net. You definitely know how to bring a problem to light and make it important. A lot more people must look at this and understand this side of the story. I was surprised you aren't more popular because you surely possess the gift.

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