My Journey to Online Part Time Jobs

Although a lot of my fantasies include going back time and changing everything since I was in first grade, I obviously cannot do that. So I'm kinda moving on.

Back when I was in highschool, I got so interested in HTML and making websites that I actually self-studied how to code HTML. I never got to study it in school and regrettably, in college, but I'm still very interested in it. I've never forgotten the basics and now I'm using some of my knowledge in some of my work. I believe that if I really want to learn something, I can self-study it and not spend fortunes going to special classes.

Now that I'm looking for some new skills to aid me in getting part-time jobs - if not full time work - I decided to learn how to create Wordpress themes.

That's now. It wasn't the first idea that came to mind when I started thinking of upgrading my skills and do some online part time jobs.

• Logo Design - I thought that it's easier to make logo designs since I figured it's easier to do than writing jobs. I had knowledge in Photoshop and did some online tutorials when I discovered that I actually need to learn how to use Adobe Illustrator. I did some online tutorials and basically had a feel of it. HOWEVER, looking at tons of existing logo designs by professionals and amateurs told me that I need more and more skill, practice and loads of creative energy. What I lack is some creativity. I'm more of a technical person, really.
• Paid Blog Posts - I have an existing blog that I can use for paid blog posts. I was a member of PayPerPost which didn't go so well because I abandoned my blog after a while. I got some opportunities so I thought, maybe I should try it again. The problem now is that there are so many bloggers out there with a .com domain name and advertisers think that those who are not self-hosted are not really serious bloggers. Although I am willing to self-hosted, I feel that it's not the right time yet. I already have plans for a proper self-hosted blog but I still need to test myself. My paid blog membership still exists and will jump right at it when opportunity comes.
• Freelance Job Hunt -  I've heard a lot of success stories on Odesk.com so I tried to get some jobs off it. I've finished a few exams several months ago. But I haven't had a job from it. Maybe my bid was too high? or maybe the employers were turned off by the fact that I am a noob? But the search continues.
• Wordpress Theme Design - And we come to the NOW. I'm not a complete idiot when it comes to site design so I thought maybe I can design wordpress themes and sell them. I can sell it for a few dollars. I've just started and I now that I will need to go along way because 1) I'm a beginner at CSS and PHP and 2) I've never done this before. But as I said, I will try my best to get into it. I have install a localserver on my computer for testing purposes and now I need to learn how to code from scratch. 

I will be making some posts on some tips I learned along the way (and some tips I learned from others) regarding the 4 bullet points above. I may give you tips on where to get tutorials and downloads. I hope you guys wish me luck!

Are there any other online part-time jobs that you know? Can you suggest some tips on how I can earn online? (I don't like PTCs, though)
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Things My Mama Told Me: Choose your Friends!

Sometimes, just how mothers talk to us, right? With an exclamation point. There is one point in our life when our mothers would usually yell at us, no matter what they’re saying.

Anyway, there you go. Choose your friends. And I hated this before because my mother never really liked any of my friends. She only liked those who were at the top of the class. If they weren’t she’d be skeptical about them and how were they going to contribute to my life.

Yes, I didn’t listen to my mom. Although those kids who were at the top of my class were my buddies when we started, slowly I was left behind. Maybe it was a bit of rebellion that I experienced when I didn’t want to study so hard and just be a normal kid like everybody else – playing and not breathing to get the grades. While I still belonged at the top of the class, I chose to be friends with someone else.

Now that I’m older, I look at those people who topped the class and I didn’t choose to be friends with. They are now lawyers, entrepreneurs, engineers and traveled the world. And I’m stuck in a cubicle, thinking about the next gig I could find.

Looking at them, I thought, I should have stuck with them. I probably got their successful vibe and their thirst for excellence. Or their mere electromagnetism for luck. I am smarter than some of their friends but even they have good lives.

Most people will probably tell you – choose your friends to avoid drugs, chemical abuse or other bad influences. We hear them over and over and sometimes we don’t hear them anymore.

But I’m writing now, telling you to choose your friends because good friends can actually do some good in your life. If you want something to happen to your life, stick with people who have the same goal as you do. It’s good to have peers who you can walk with in that direction. They can be good support and they can also be some healthy competition along the way.

Right now, I’m looking for people who I can begin walking with to the direction that I want and people who can hoist me up somehow. I am no genius and I’d love to listen to friendly mentors.

Tips in Summary: Choose your Friend to Success!

1. Choose your friends according to the direction you want your life to go to. You want to be successful? Have successful friends or friends who also want to be successful.
2. Choose your friends early in life. Friends are also habit-forming. If you form your good habits early on, you have more time to develop and improve.
3. Choose your friends for networking and healthy competition. Successful friends know successful people who can lead you to your own success. Yes, there’s too much success in this section because if you surround yourself with success, your attitude will be geared towards it!

How did you do with your friends? Share your story!

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