It is such a pleasure to pass each day at my own pace.

I originally came to England for an eight-month spell to study English. Soon after that I came across something I wanted to do in London, found a job, applied for a work visa, attained permanent visa status and before I knew it 20 years had passed by!

What kind of work did you find in London?

I originally come from a sales agency background but I have been finding work mostly in areas such as Japan market and digital advertising consulting for overseas firms and web producer of associated fields.
My motto was “Don’t be afraid. If it’s interesting, try it!” I ran in the London marathon twice and at the 2012 London Olympics I participated as a performer. I employed the same “challenge” mindset toward work. Last month I served as a classroom lecturer at a one-week event with a simultaneous Business English translation program　and IT workshops.

Are you now comfortable with online jobs?

As a freelancer I have escaped from the 9 to 5 routine and overtime hours. It is very gratifying to be able to control my own daily schedule. I can complete my work using email or chat messaging and when I need to I can use Skype to speak directly to clients for greater detail and to discuss opinions that are difficult to convey in writing.

Most of my work evolves around Japan and Asia, so there is a large time difference. I wake up at 6 am, work 8 hours, and finish up around 2 pm. After that I have time to go to the gym, relax with a good book or watch a movie. Later, after dinner, I sometimes work again if there is unfinished business. By 11 pm I am usually tucked in bed and asleep.
My home is located on the southwest side of London near Wimbledon and surrounded by nature. I initially struggled with the home/office combination but I have developed an atmosphere for slipping into work mode after my morning coffee.

What was the catalyst for joining Workshift?

While using Workshift I was surprised by how easy it was to connect online and work with companies from all around the world. On one hand I feel that I should have quit my company back when I was in my 30s, but then again at that time I would not have had the job experience and connections that I have today and probably would not be as effective as I am now. Nonetheless, it seems that becoming independent was eventually going to happen one way or the other.

London is quite far from Japan, has Workshift provided sufficient support from such a distance?

While there is a time difference, Workshift Customer Support staff has been very kind, providing me with guidance attentively at all times.

Just as I can be here in England using Japanese and English on worldwide projects, a new age is upon us, an age in which anyone in Japan can now participate in business on the world stage. I am hoping that going forward Workshift will help link the excellent talent pool in Japan with the rest of the world!