Last Saturday in a career update I sent out to members of Genuinejobs.com I briefly asked if anyone had heard or are using the “Google Pro” system being promoted by Michelle Valdez. I’m sure there is no real Michelle Valdez, but just a name put onto the picture on the site promoting this. Basically I wanted some feedback so I could share with the readers of this blog and the members of my other career sites.

From the 33,000 + emails that went out one person responded..

seems like just another scam - “You can make thousands a week just filling out Google forms at home!” type of thing, for a small “start-up” fee, of course.  You gotta sift a LOT of dirt to find gold!

Special thanks to Milton for taking the time to share his thoughts on this. Imagine that, over 33,000 emails sent and just one response. Is it that no one knows about the Google Pro, or do people just don’t care to assist when someone asks for their help? Makes you wonder.

A quick search on Google didn’t shed any further light on Michelle Valdez or the Google Pro System. That can be a good thing though. I’m sure if there were doubts or if it were a scam I’m sure I would have picked up a link on Google from discussion groups. If you ever want to know if something is a scam or want info on any topic, just check the forums and discussion groups.

I was able to use a proxy server to view the url from Canada, so I at least now know what the page looks like.

Leave me your thoughts by using the comments link below.

I had to leave the computer for a bit. My eyes were burning and I was feeling totally overwhelmed with information and tasks. I began to question whether or not I should have remained in the corporate sector. At least then I’d have a predictable income and set hours. When I left the office, work thoughts and problems stayed there and I went home and had a life.

So that’s where my mind was as I made my way up from the basement office and out into the sunshine of the back deck - contemplating the wisdom of my career change, and feeling somewhat defeated. Not wanting to be the only person at my pity party, I decided there must be others in the same boat. I wondered if all work at homers felt these misgivings from time to time. Yes of course they must!, I reasoned, wanting it to be a normal and passing thing.

It was at about that point that I remembered having read an article about just the kind of turmoil I was experiencing. The main message of the article was to shift your focus from the parts of your career that you don’t like to the reason you’re there. Remember the ‘why’ of what you’re doing, and see how the things you grapple with enable you to reach your goals and live your dreams.

I sat back in the deck chair and listened to the crickets and cicadas. For a few minutes, I watched a black squirrel scampering through the garden while I sat wondering if I’ll have enough money to winter in Arizona this year.

Then it hit me. The reason why I work from home is the freedom. I’d know it all along of course, but I had forgotten to keep it forefront in my mind. If I were in an office, I would miss this beautiful day outside. Spending the winter in the southwest would be out of the question entirely.

In getting caught up in the frustrations, I forgot to see them as stepping stones to my dreams. That long job list is chock full of opportunities to help me reach my goals and live the way I want to.

It was a great relief to view the situation in a new light. With renewed optimism, I returned to my computer, remembering why I work from home and loving the reasons again.

Sometimes, we need a reminder of how great our work at home lives are.

This is a guest post by Shirley Anderson.

“Hey dad, I’ll be your VA” That was Tehya last night calling down from her room. Yea, she reads my blog on a regular basis. And the funny thing is she may just get the freaking job. I’ve received several hundred emails of interest since I posted the need for a VA and it seems my gripe from the past is still alive and well. People just don’t follow simple instructions.

About 35% of the applications I received were deleted!

I asked interested applicants to :

- please put “VA app” in the subject line of the email

- no attachments

- why should I hire you?

- expected wage/hr

Think they listened?  Well some of you did, but there were so many people that sent in attachments and their own subject line, not to mention the classic… hire me I’m good for the job… it got me a bit frustrated. People, I simply don’t have the time to sort though every email to see who’s applying. This is why I asked that you use the specific subject. It’s automatically sorted for me and sent to a designated inbox so I can review all the applications. I don’t want to have to deal with attachments and possible viruses etc.

Why would I want to hire someone who couldn’t take the time to tell me a little about themselves?

Yes, I deleted those applications without thinking twice. If you can’t follow simple instructions, how can I be assured you’ll be helpful to me?

A special thanks to those of you who did follow the guidelines from the positing. I will be contacting the people I’m interested in within the next 12-24 hrs.

BTW, if you’re one of those people who chose to send in a blank application and not take the time to address me by my name “Hello Chris”, I also deleted your application. I think it’s very unprofessional when you can’t do me the courtesy and call me by my name.

On June 20, 1868, a proclamation signed by the Governor General, Lord Monck, called upon all Her Majesty’s loving subjects throughout Canada to join in the celebration of the anniversary of the formation of the union of the British North America provinces in a federation under the name of Canada on July 1st.

The July 1 holiday was established by statute in 1879, under the name Dominion Day.

There is no record of organized ceremonies after this first anniversary, except for the 50th anniversary of Confederation in 1917, at which time the new Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings, under construction, was dedicated as a memorial to the Fathers of Confederation and to the valour of Canadians fighting in the First World War in Europe.

The next celebration was held in 1927 to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation. It was highlighted by the laying of the cornerstone by the Governor General of the Confederation Building on Wellington Street and the inauguration of the Carillon in the Peace Tower.

Since 1958, the government has arranged for an annual observance of Canada’s national day with the Secretary of State of Canada in charge of the coordination. The format provided for a Trooping the Colours ceremony on the lawn of Parliament Hill in the afternoon, a sunset ceremony in the evening followed by a mass band concert and fireworks display.

A little history lesson for you

We’re a one-car family so with Caron working today, we can’t hit one of the beaches (lakes) to enjoy the smell of the open air BBQ and the feel of that freezing water hit your body. Plus It’s my goal this week to get stuff around the house completed. Maybe tonight I’ll crack open the new bottle of fancy rum Caron brought back for me from her trip and hit the hot tub with some Island music blasting from the speakers. I know our girls probably have plans to go to one of the fireworks displays locally.

Have fun, it’s Canada Day!

I followed a John Chow post that lead me to the ramblings of some geeks at Geekpreneur.com and one of their posts really caught my attention. “What Working from Home Really Means” posted back in May sometime.

It had me asking myself, what working from home meant to me. I don’t “sleep-in”, I don’t take extended lunch breaks and sit in front of the tv gazing into emptiness (the exception is when there’s a good soccer game on), nor do I do what the “cool” people do and go sip lattes at the Starbucks, while plugged into the virtual world.

Here are some of the things working from home allows me to do…

TRAVEL. I love to travel and so do Caron, Kieana, Tehya and India. I take my laptop with me and all it takes is a couple hrs a day and I get enough work to keep the ship afloat. Some days, it’s just a matter of checking my email and stats. Nothing more than 20 minutes and I’m good to go. We love cruising and most, if not all the newer ships have wireless internet, so I can sit by the pool and flick on the trusty laptop.

I know, you’re probably saying… but that’s not really enjoying a vacation. WRONG! I have to be plugged in, even if for 15 minutes or I’d go crazy. PLUS.. that 1 or 2 hrs I spend checking up on my online business while on vacation, makes me enough money to pay the bills when we get home

BTW, now that I have a virtual assistant there’ll be no need to lug the laptop. But I’ll still need an internet cafe.

FAMILY. I get to participate in our girls life, more than most parents do. Plus on the days Caron is not at work, we get to spend time together. Even if it’s just going to the Costco and getting mad at the people who run into you with their shopping carts.  I knew from day one that I wanted to be in business for myself, but never did I dream that I would be afforded the opportunity to do so in such a flexible way.

Just look at yesterday… We helped organize Tehya’s grad, then went to the actual ceremony (I didn’t have any BOSS for time off) and immediately after that I froze my butt off watching Indy’s team win her soccer game. That’s 3 win in a row now! And when we got home, I help Tehya and Caron pack (well, got the luggage out of the basement) for their trip.

I CAN WALK AWAY! I have the freedom to walk away from my desk and not be asked where I’m going or be afraid of reprisal by the “boss”! If this was a 9-5 office environment, I’d have to sit there in front of that desk and bear it!

I’m sure there are many other things I appreciate about working from home, but those are the main ones that comes to mind.

Leave me your comments and don;t forget to subscribe for the updates (top right of the page).

Before I go I’d just like to say congrats to Tehya, you made you mom, sisters and myself very proud yesterday. Great job on the award and other achievements that were bestowed on you yesterday!

Enjoy your trip!