Jen Cajucom is a freelance digital marketing strategist, project manager, and an online digital marketing coach based in Zambales. She worked in the BPO and marketing industries for over 10 years before she decided to go freelance and become a digital commuter. This is her typical day.

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Before going freelance, I worked in BPO and marketing. I also worked as a systems analyst for private companies and government agencies. I have built up my skills in project management and customer service over the years.

When I started to pursue freelancing, I was finally able to do a career audit and realized I could get my work experience and my passion for digital marketing to enable me to help others. Apart from my freelance work, I now also do online coaching on digital marketing basics for service professionals and small businesses. I teach my students how to be customer-centric marketers, and how to adopt a more human-centered approach to digital marketing.

Moreover, I have now uprooted myself from Manila and moved to Zambales with my partner. Here, I have started to help an Aeta community. The serene, peaceful environment helps me think clearly about the things I want to do more for others. This is what a typical day for me is like.

7:00 A.M. – My partner’s alarm goes off. Time for me to wake up!

7:30 A.M. – Prepare breakfast. Only coffee for me, while a big breakfast is always for the one who wears the pants.

8:00 A.M. – Bonding over breakfast. My partner and I take this time to talk about how our previous day went and what we look forward to happening during the day. Dogs get to join as well in the conversation—especially when they smell sausages and eggs!

9:00 A.M. – Partner leaves for work. I turn on my laptop to do some writing.

10:00 A.M. – Coaching clients!

11:00 A.M. – Prepare lunch.

12:00 P.M. – Lunchtime! We live in the same property where my partner works. I call him for lunch and in minutes, he’s at the dining table.

1:00 P.M. – Reading time. Currently reading Originals by Adam Grant.

2:00 P.M. – Answer emails, Facebook and LinkedIn messages. I make sure I don’t delay in answering inquiries and requests from clients as well as from new friends from Connected Women.

3:00 P.M. – I maintain a blog called The Digital Commuter, my personal brand. I use this time to make improvements to my website.

4:00 P.M. – I consider this as my alone time or me time. I usually spend it inside the bathroom or in any spot in the house that’s away from my laptop to help me think.

5:00 P.M. – My partner returns home! Playtime with the dogs. Sometimes, we walk to the beach and watch the sunset.

6:00 P.M. – Head back home and prepare dinner.

7:00 P.M. – Dinner and bonding time. My partner and I talk more about how our day went, plus celebrating small victories and achievements we did for the day.

8:00 P.M. – More stories to share, this time funny ones. We usually talk about the funny things we did at work. By this time, we’d probably be laughing hard at ourselves, thinking about the silliest things.

9:00 P.M. – Watch some TV before heading to bed.

What do you like most about your job or business?
Considering that I am now following my passion, I always find myself celebrating even the smallest milestones and victories. I advocate human-centered marketing. Combined with my decades-long experience in customer service, it gives me a sense of fulfillment when I can deliver what my clients are looking for. Being part of their journey is the best part of it all.

Advice for women considering your industry.
If you’re still trying to figure out what you’re really meant to do in life, try following Steve Jobs’ advice, connect the dots by looking backwards. Acknowledge that there is a good reason why things in your past happened as they did. Whatever you thought was a time-waster in your career was preparing you to do your next big thing. Once you connect the dots, only then will you find the clarity that you’ve been looking for the whole time. And that clarity is so empowering.

A book or mentor who changed your perspective on life or career.
The most recent book I read was The Human Centered Brand by Nela Dunato. I just love her. It’s like she’s talking to me directly when I read her book. After exchanging pleasantries with her over LinkedIn messaging, I finally had the chance to interview her online. As she is an expert in human-centered branding and branding strategy, I feel that a lot of women who are struggling with their brands will learn a lot from her.

 

Did Jen Cajucom’s “Day in the Life” inspire you? Interested in sending your “Day in the Life” story? Join the Connected Women community now!

 

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