One of the most valuable lessons many of us learned over the last few years was the importance of a flexible schedule. When the COVID-19 pandemic began to make its way around the world, many people suddenly found themselves not only with one job but with many. We had our careers. We became full-time caretakers to family members. Those with children also essentially became teachers.
Because of all this, a flexible schedule and the ability to work where, when, and how you want have become critically important for many. Luckily, several business ventures offer precisely that – specifically, the flexibility to tailor your schedule to your preferences.
1. Real Estate Investing
The best modern-day example of a business venture that supports your need for a more flexible schedule has to do with real estate investing. Part of what makes this so attractive to people is that you can choose many kinds of investing while still keeping within the larger world of real estate.
There’s wholesale real estate, for example, where you’re essentially negotiating one price with a buyer, another price with a seller, and then keeping the difference as a profit for your efforts. You could also practice the “buy and hold” approach – purchasing a home for one price and hoping it appreciates significantly over time. Many people also find a lot of success with flipping houses. Regardless, it offers you the autonomy to manage properties on your own time.
This is also an enterprise that builds momentum over time. As you engage in more real estate transactions, you meet and establish relationships with more buyers and sellers in your area. It then becomes easier to find future opportunities, making it easier to generate profit. Yes, certain elements will be beyond your control – like the current conditions of whatever market you live in – but by and large, real estate investing gives you access to freedom you wouldn’t have in a traditional 9-to-5 job.
2. Marketing or Management Consulting
One opportunity to embrace a business venture that supports a flexible schedule involves marketing or management consulting. Obviously, you’ll need some pre-existing background in these areas to get started – you can’t just walk in off the street, so to speak.
But provided that you have insight and expertise to share, there are more than a few people who would gladly take advantage of that. Additionally, consulting in these areas allows you to set appointments based on your own schedule first and foremost. Do you have a particularly low-key week and can fit in ten one-hour appointments? Perfect. Is the following week busy, and you only have time for three half-hour sessions? That’s okay, too.
3. The e-Commerce Era
Another great business venture that can easily support a flexible schedule involves venturing into the world of e-commerce and dropshipping. Essentially, what you’ll be doing is managing online stores on a flexible timetable that is primarily designed to meet your needs.
To the surprise of absolutely nobody, e-commerce exploded in popularity during the pandemic. During a time when people were trapped indoors, and most stores were deemed “non-essential” and thus remained closed indefinitely, the e-commerce sector saw a 19% sales growth in 2020 alone. Just because COVID-19 seems to be calming back down and things are mostly open again doesn’t mean that people are giving up the convenience of shopping online.
From that perspective, e-commerce and dropshipping give you a chance to remain flexible and “future-proofs” you if something unexpected happens again.
4. Tutoring and Coaching Services
An old saying reminds us, “If you’re good at something, never do it for free.” That is what starting your own tutoring or coaching service is all about.
If there’s a topic that you’re particularly skillful at, consider passing on that knowledge to others. Starting a tutoring or coaching service allows you to easily schedule sessions around your availability. Plus, thanks to teleconferencing, you don’t need a physical space to get up and running. You can start this chapter of your life online via Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
5. Becoming a Freelance Worker
Finally, you always have the option of exploring becoming a freelance worker – something that truly puts the power of your career in the palm of your hand as opposed to someone else’s.
Freelance work exists in many fields, with the most obvious being writing. Those blogs that businesses maintain on the Internet aren’t going to write themselves, after all. You can also find freelance work as a graphic designer or even as a computer programmer to supplement someone’s in-house development team.
Becoming a freelance worker is a great way to take advantage of the “gig economy” – globally generating approximately $455 billion in gross volume annually. There’s a reason why so many people desire the freedom to choose their projects and hours. The good news is that it’s never been easier to do.
A World of Possibilities for Work-Life Balance
In the end, these are just a few examples of diverse opportunities that empower people looking for a better work/life balance through flexible business ventures. But the best part is that nobody has said you can only pursue one of these career paths.
Are you interested in real estate investing but want to become a freelance writer or designer to supplement your income? There’s absolutely nothing stopping you. There will always be a need for tutors and coaches. Something like e-commerce will only become a more prominent part of our lives as time passes.
If you start building a foundation of flexibility today, you’ll have more than a career moving forward. If an unprecedented situation like the pandemic should occur again, you won’t have to worry about things like lockdowns or keeping busy because you’ll have more than enough on your plate to meet your unique needs.
Featured image provided by Jess Bailey Designs; Pexels; Thanks!
