Truly, I can’t express how graceful I am to have found Upwork, it’s like a whole new world of possibilities open in front of me!
I remember clearly the time I completed the first job on Upwork: it was a very simple survey job, and I earned $5 for it. But to me it opened a new possibility: I can work from anywhere to earn my living!
Like everyone else, I worked years in a nine-to-five job. It was ok, but there was something inside kept tell me it was wrong to stay in the job. One day, I traced back every events in my life to find the missing piece. It was a long and rough finding, but it was worth it: I found out the “job” that I wanted to work: to be a good person, yes, my job is “being a good person in whatever you do”, as good as I could be. And I couldn’t convince myself that staying in the Marketing job is the best way for me to become the best version of me. I always know the best thing I can do is to speak, to share, to inspire.
And I decided to become a motivational speaker! I quit my job be go in that direction instantly, and several months later, reality hit me hard with its hammer!
As a husband and a father, it was impossible for me to just “follow your dream”; if “follow your dream” equal giving up your loved ones, then screw it. And the fact was I have to feed the baby and provide her with good education, sometimes buy gifts for my wife, not to mention that I have other family members who I should take care of. I desparately need some income, some special jobs that give me both the income and the freedom to follow my dream!
I need a job that I could only work 3-4 hours per day, and must be paid enough to support my family, other time will go toward my dream. It was ridiculous for me at that time, because, who would give you a job like that?
I spent weeks doing research about how to find “work from home” job, I tried everything, every websites that offer “work from home” jobs. Nothing worked! I started doubting myself, and even considered going back to nine to five jobs.
At that time I found Upwork, and I thought, ok, this will be my last shot, I will give everything I got to try this platform to see what I can make of it.
I spent several days to learn about Upwork, about what is connects and how to submit proposals, a months past, and still no job. I was scared. But I didn’t give up, I searched about how to write a good proposal, about how to draft a good profile, I even created a video of myself to promote my translation service, I asked for help from the community, I tried again and again,.. until one day, the magic finally happended: I got an offer from Upwork! From the first job that was worth $5, I slowly built up my profile, complete every single job as perfect as I could, I learnt more skills that better jobs required, and secured those jobs! Then clients started coming to me for my service. And today, I am so proud that my income already surpass the income from my last job! And I only work for 3-4 hours per day, giving my time to study about speaking and arranging seminars to speak to my audience!
With the extra time saved, I arrange some seminars for young students. I come see them, and talk to them, and share my experience. I do it all for free, because I already earn enough from Upwork to support my family. This activity doesn’t benefit me financially, but it gives me so much meaning in life: I know I am contributing something good to the world.
Sometimes, looking back it it, I can’t help but think: I had one decision to become a good person, and the universe let me discover Upwork. And things started looking up for me. I can’t prove it, but I believe by doing good things, the universe will somehow give you back tenfold.
For me, it was just more than a year with Upwork. And I know the road ahead is amazing! Just like some students from my seminar once told me: “Mr. Hieu. Your speech was amazing. You gave me the courage to pursue my passion. You shown me the new perspective to look at things. Now I see opportunities wherever I look!”
Yes, dear! Keep looking, the opportunities is out there, a lot of them; always available for those who never give up!
Great Vietnamese Translator 