Warming Up · Box 6 · Fresh Starter
Where to Start?
"Where do I actually start? Do I do everything at once, or one step at a time?"
Length: 15 minutes
For: Anyone overwhelmed by the BFF Blueprint at first glance
Updated: 2026-05-15 (v2)
Replaces: 2019 video lesson
"I feel overwhelmed. I saw the Blueprint and it feels like too much. What should I do first?"
Common question from new BFF learners
Your feeling makes sense. The Blueprint has more than 30 boxes. If you look at the whole thing at once, it can feel scary. But here is the secret many people do not teach: not every box is for you this month. Start with the first three boxes. After those are done, move to the next three. The Blueprint is a map, not a to-do list.
The wrong question vs the right question
Wrong question: "What skill earns money the fastest?"
Better question: "What skill can I realistically follow through on, based on my current situation and commitment level?"
This lesson is the bridge between Preparation (Boxes 1-5) and Launch (Boxes 11-15). The warm-up stage is about mindset and planning. If you skip this, you may reach interviews without a clear answer. So first, let me walk you through how to build the plan properly.
The 4 mindset shifts before you apply
| Shift | From → To | Practical action |
|---|
| 1. Hours of training | "Can I do this on weekends only?" -> "How many hours can I truly handle each week?" | 5-15 hrs/week realistic |
| 2. Self-assessment | "I have no skill" -> "What do I already have, and what is still missing?" | 10 Secret Skills audit |
| 3. Realistic timeline | "I will have a client in one week" -> "With 3 to 6 months of commitment, I can land a first client." | 90-day commitment minimum |
| 4. Career path choice | "I will try everything" -> "I will choose one of three paths: Remote Job, VA, or Specialized Skill." | Pick ONE for first 90 days |
The Freelancing Journey reward
If you finish all activities and assignments in the Freelancing Journey lesson series, you will have a resume, career-path plan, outreach practice, and a finished portfolio piece. The discipline of finishing is the win.
Example: a multi-year freelancing journey
Example timeline (Year 1 → Year 5+)
Year 1
Office worker. Side-hustle: 2-3 hrs/night on a platform. First client lands around month 3-6.
Year 2
Builds ~3 retainer clients. Quits the office job once freelance income matches salary.
Year 3-4
Niches into a specialty (e.g. SMM + admin, or Bookkeeping, or Content Marketing).
Year 5+
Stable income from retainers. Optional: starts mentoring or running a small community.
The honest moment
No one in this lane is an overnight success. Year 1 can look slow. But consistent 2 to 3 hours per night is the muscle that builds Year 5. Once you accept that this is a marathon, not a sprint, you can keep walking without quitting.
The warning: this may take longer than you hoped
90-day reality check
You may not get a client in the first week. Not in the second week either. Probably not even in the first month. The average BFF learner who lands a first client lands it between months 3 and 6. That is not failure. That is normal. If you expect fast results and they do not happen in 30 days, you may quit too early. Many BFF drop-offs happen in month 1 because of this.
Practice. Build your 90-day plan in 20 minutes.
- Open a new Google Doc. Title: "My BFF 90-Day Plan."
- Answer 4 questions in writing:
- How many hours per week can I commit? (Realistic.)
- What skills do I have RIGHT NOW? (No fantasizing.)
- What career path will I pick? (Remote Job · VA · Specialized Skill: only one.)
- What's my finish-line date for first client? (90 days from today.)
- Break the 90 days into 3 phases: Days 1-30 (foundation), Days 31-60 (skill build + applications), Days 61-90 (interview + first contract).
- Add 1 weekly check-in to Google Calendar. "BFF Sunday Review · 30 minutes."
- Bookmark the Blueprint map. When you feel overwhelmed, return to the map. That is your reset button.
Action items, based on your archetype
🌟 The Polished Freelancer~25% · proceed ~80%
Already started. This is the lesson where you formalize your next 90-day growth plan.
Do this week
- Set the 90-day stretch goal. Not first client. Next: raise rates by 20%, add a retainer, launch a service line. Write it down.
- Audit which skills you've outgrown. The tools you used two years ago may have changed. Pick two to upgrade in the next 90 days.
- Mentor a Fresh Starter inside BFF. Reciprocity builds your reputation in the community. Apply at BFF Internship as a mentor.
💼 The Corporate Transitioner~30% · proceed ~60%
You still have a job, and risk matters. Your plan must protect cash flow.
Do this week
- Do NOT quit your job in the first 90 days. Start as a side hustle first so you have a safety net.
- Block 10 hrs/week on weekday evenings. Use Google Calendar blocks. Treat as second job.
- Save 3 months expenses before resignation. When the first freelance client arrives, you still need runway so you do not panic.
🎨 The Creative Specialist~15% · proceed ~70%
Portfolio is half-built. 90 days is enough to land first paying creative client.
Do this week
- Build a portfolio of 10 pieces. It does not need to be paid client work. Mock projects are okay. Quality matters more than source.
- Pick a niche specialty. Real estate IG · F&B reels · podcast covers. Vertical = price floor goes up.
- Setup Behance + Dribbble profiles. For creative work, this is not optional. Your portfolio surface needs to be public.
🛒 The Solo Entrepreneur~15% · proceed ~55%
Already running business hours. Plan must integrate freelance into existing schedule.
Do this week
- Decide: VA-while-running-business OR sell-and-shift. Either path can work, but you need clarity.
- Reuse your business skills as resume bullets. Operations + Customer Service + Marketing: 3 transferable VA skills.
- Set 90-day plan to land 1 retainer at minimum ₱30K/month. Your VA income should replace at least 50% of your current shop income.
📋 The Generalist Admin~10% · proceed ~50%
No specialty yet. 90 days is enough to pick + start one.
Do this week
- Pick your wedge. Bookkeeping VA · Inbox-Zero VA · Calendar EA · Travel Coordinator. Decide by end of week.
- Take ONE free course on your wedge. HubSpot Academy, Google Digital Garage, or LinkedIn Learning (free with PH library card).
- Apply to 5 jobs/week starting Day 30. Quantity matters. 20 applications in month 2 = baseline.
🌱 The Fresh Starter~5% · proceed ~30%
No experience. No tools. No clients. Honest start.
Do this week
- Commit to 90 days of consistency. Do not focus on quick results. Focus on the habit.
- Pick ONE free course this week. Start with OnlineJobs.ph Free Training or Google Digital Garage.
- Day 30 goal: 1 finished course + 1 BFF group introduction post. The introduction post is a public commitment device.
Checkpoint. Show proof that you used the lesson.
Postable artifact
Post this in BFF Facebook Group (Work At Home Geek):
- Public 90-day commitment. "I am [Archetype]. My finish-line date: [date]. My career path: [Remote Job · VA · Specialized Skill]. My hours: [N]/week."
- Tag a study buddy. Find one person from the group to be your accountability partner. Weekly check-in.
Hold steady, BFF Team. We keep going together.
– Lala