Nimi Akinkugbe
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Are you struggling to make ends meet? If so, you are not alone. The high cost of living in the country has prompted many Nigerians to seek out other avenues to earn extra income and still hold on to a full-time job. For all of us, a diversification of earnings is advisable; not only does it boost your earnings, it also provides a safety net should you experience salary delays which have become commonplace, a salary reduction, unexpected job loss or some other financial setback such as major unplanned expenses or significant loss in investments.
Research shows that most successful people earn multiple streams of income primarily from rental income from real estate investments, interest and dividend income from investments in the financial markets and investing in businesses. In addition to this, other avenues exist to supplement your income.
There are different types of people; some capable people are prepared to face the indignity and the consequences of a low income or no income at all, whereas there are others who are determined and are proactive about making efforts to improve their lot and lead a better life by thinking outside the box and seeking to earn extra income by utilising their talents and skills.
Most people have some inherent talents or skills that if properly nurtured could create a huge window of opportunity that will not only help them earn but will also give them a sense of fulfilment and happiness. Have you identified your gift or talent? Don’t just rest on your oars; be creative – think outside the box. Identify your strengths, talents and skills and do something with them. Which one of them can you take immediate action on?
A potential freelance job or business should incorporate the skills and talents you already possess. Ideally, it should require a relatively little amount of your time and require low oversight, be fairly low-risk, and not require huge capital outlay. Above all, it must be customer–centric and deliver a high level of service, and must be unique.
So, what can you do? Are you a good communicator or confident public speaker? Are you an organiser? Are you a budding entrepreneur? Below are just a few self-help examples of what some enterprising Nigerians have embarked upon as they faced the predicament of unemployment or low income. They have effectively utilised their hobbies and talents often resulting in the establishment of viable businesses that subsequently became their primary source of income.
Sadly, several schools have proved inadequate in equipping children for significant examinations without additional support from private tutors. Further, parents often do not have the time or inclination to tutor their children particularly during the long holidays, which makes for huge demand for such services to keep children engaged.
Can you teach someone how to speak properly? Do you have an exceptional skill in a particular academic subject or language? Are you a gifted musician or very skilful in a particular sport? If you possess the deep knowledge and skills and an ability to start teaching a particular subject, or skill, there may be an opportunity to earn extra income. It is worth investing in obtaining some certification to give you an advantage.
Computers and the internet have become an integral part of our lives. Yet many of us are not very proficient with IT and telephony matters and need help with our smart phones, iPads and laptops. Clearly, those with strong skills can seek to offer services in web designing, programming, and trouble-shooting. Individuals and businesses are often in need of high quality presentations for their marketing purposes, and skills in the design of power point presentations are highly sought after.
Do family and friends often compliment you on your outstanding culinary skills? If you are a good cook and enjoy cooking, you can consider giving cookery classes or offer catering services at small events and parties. If you are good at baking, you can start to take orders for birthday cakes and other special occasions. There is some demand for cakes and freshly made sandwiches and light lunches delivered to local businesses during lunch hour. A huge opportunity presents at Christmas when cakes are widely sought after.
If you have creative talent, ideas, and the ability to work with your hands and are passionate about what you do, you can turn your passion into a profitable, part time, money-making business. Sewing, jewelry making, artwork, novel crafts such as candle or soap making are much sought after particularly during the holiday season when people are looking for appropriate gifts.
We all need the help of someone to do home repairs from time to time. Some people are very good at do-it-yourself solutions but unfortunately most do not have the confidence, the tools or the time to do it successfully. We are all too aware that reliable and efficient workmen and technicians to do even the most basic repairs or to sort out plumbing or electrical problems are increasingly hard to find. If you have such skills and is service -oriented and most importantly, have credible referees, you can offer your services to households in a niche area.
*Don’t jeopardise your day job. Be careful not to jeopardise your current employment income by being distracted and losing focus on what you have been contracted to do; you owe your employer your full attention so don’t let any other interests eat into your work time. The key is to keep them separate, yet be well organised so that your side job doesn’t interfere with your regular role and vice versa. It is important to ensure that there is no conflict of interest. It often helps if you are in partnership so that you and your partner/s can cover for each other as the business evolves.
Whilst these efforts on a small scale will not make you rich overnight, you can certainly create some useful extra income this way. Even in difficult times, you can acquire certain skills or build on your existing skills. The independence that you derive from less dependency on an employer opens up a wide vista of options enabling you to experiment with new opportunities and have a better chance at long-term financial stability and success.
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Source : punchng[dot]com
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