Is it just me, or does it feel like everyone has a side hustle these days?
Gone are the days that a regular 9-5 is enough. No, nowadays it’s almost looked down on if we aren’t ‘grinding’ enough. Hold your eye rolls.
As annoying as the copious Instagram posts titled #hustleeveryday or #hustleandgrind may be, there is something to be said for turning something you enjoy doing into a money-maker.
A side hustle is essentially making money outside of your regular day job.
It’s not only a way to make more money (yes please), but also a way to pursue your passions.
While the concept of a side hustle sounds simple enough, getting one up and running requires some old-fashioned hard work and motivation.
If you are toying with the idea, knowing where to start can be the hardest step.
To help, I’ve broken down the first few steps you can take to start earning some extra sweet cash money.
Make a list of your interests
To create a successful side hustle, it needs to be something you love doing.
You will be working on this during your downtime and in out-of-office hours.
If your idea isn’t something that you are passionate about, you will soon lose motivation and energy to pursue it.
So, grab a pen and paper and start writing down everything that you enjoy and have an interest in and whittle it down.
This could literally be anything from yoga to baking to knitting – the options are endless!
It’s even better if your idea has the potential to be scalable, as it may allow you to work towards turning it into a full-time hustle down the line.
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Sort out your finances
Many side hustles can be started on a limited budget; however, many will require some investment for things like a website or branding.
One of the first things you should do is take a look at your current finances and figure out how much you can afford to put towards your new venture.
Be sure to make up a budget and list of expenses where you can track your spending.
Schedule time
While you may want to dedicate all of your time to your new venture, unfortunately, few of us have this luxury.
Be sure to allocate a few hours per week to working on your side hustle, but also make sure you leave room in your schedule to look after yourself to avoid burnout.
If you are still working a day job, aim for 3-4 evenings and some hours at the weekend if needed.
Don’t forget about your day job
In the early days of your side hustle, you may be tempted to check out of your 9-5.
However, your day job is your steady source of income for the time being.
While you may not enjoy being there, be sure to put 100% of your energy into your job and remain professional.
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Your full-time job enables you to pursue your passions without feeling financial pressure, so treat it with respect it deserves.
