If you're like most people, you have probably considered starting a side hustle at one point or another.
Maybe you love your job but it just isn't satisfying you creatively.
It's likely you're thinking about how nice it would be to have some extra money in savings for little inconveniences or hard times.
Perhaps you're wishing you didn't have to report to anyone else and could set your own schedule.
But you love the security of your salary, insurance, 401k, and other benefits from your day job but you'd really like to be blogging or teaching yoga or starting that direct sales business you can't stop thinking about.
You might just be a millennial who is simply obsessed with side hustles and freelancing because it's hashtag who you are.
I've pretty much thought all of these things and since my husband and I have several side hustles going at any given time, lately I've been trying to nail down our plans to grow while keeping our full-time jobs.
Are you ready to join Team Side Hustle? Here are my pointers:
1. Be Kind to Yourself
You've got to take the leap and just go for it. Don't pick on yourself for wanting more than what you already have; there is a balance you can find between being happy with what you currently have and wanting more. Give yourself a pep talk in the mirror and be confident that your reasons for giving yourself extra work are valid! Use motivational quotes and affirmations, any time any where. You can do this!
2. Work From a Place of Passion
Write down your passions, narrow the list down to just one or two, and jot down your potential business ideas. What do you prioritize? Are you the kind of person that wants to do virtual work mostly alone? Blogging and virtual assisting might be an option. Do you want to earn prizes and company-sponsored bonuses for your extra work? Consider direct sales (with products you truly love). Is your goal specific? Maybe considering approaching a local art studio, nursing home, or fitness center and pitch a class idea that could get excited to teach!
3. Set a Schedule
This one is important. Commit to creating a weekly schedule where you block off time specifically for your side hustle. You'll need to make arrangements for things like child or pet care so that you can focus on your gig. Get out of the house and do the work. You'll also need to keep work-life balance so make a rule to not mix your day job with your side hustle with your family time. Don't make exceptions - your full-time job probably has a set schedule but even if it is flexible you work within the company's frame of workable hours. Why would you not treat your side hustle like any other business? That's what it is. So pick a time to devote yourself to the gig and stick to it.
4. Collaborate with other Entrepreneurs
It's especially crucial for the success of any side hustle to expand their reach. By collaborating with other like-minded hustlers, you can bring exposure to your brand while doing the same for others. You never know who you will meet and how they will help your side hustle grow. You never know whose dream is attached to yours - meaning, you must follow your dreams because maybe someone else has dreams that can also be fulfilled by the path you're creating. It's 2019. We're here to build each other up.
5. Be Willing to Create the Time
You've got to find the time in your schedule to start something new. It may seem obvious but there are things you're probably going to have to give up if you're keeping your day job. Think Netflix marathons. You're not trying to give up time with your family, but rather create more of it. So, you're going to have to cut the corners somewhere. Maybe to you that means waking up an hour earlier each morning to send emails or take pictures or place orders. You will have to make some sacrifices with your time but remember your why, your reason, for doing all this in the first place. Do not lose sight of the goals ahead and be willing to do whatever it takes to reach them.
A big part of starting a side hustle in any line of business requires using your existing connections to grow your network to reach more people. Check out this article from Paperclips and Pacis about working your business without annoying your friends!