How To Manage A Side Hustle While Working Full Time

We all dream of having a bit more freedom, and many of us end up pondering the question 'How do I start a side hustle while managing my day job?' Such an endeavor takes strategic time management and moderate financial investment, but with persistence you can achieve the financial freedom you seek. In terms of the initial overheads, you can expect to invest between $200 and $1000. This is to cover costs such as building a website, paying for creative tools, or hiring a marketing expert. There isn't any need to spend more than this early on, but as your side hustle grows, you can reinvest earnings into scaling your operations.

Difficulty

7/10

Weekly Time Commitment

10–20 hours per week

Earnings Per Month

$500–$3,000+

How Do I Start A Side Hustle?

If you're wondering, 'how do I start a side hustle?' be aware that this pursuit is best suited to ambitious, disciplined individuals motivated by long-term goals and financial independence. You are most likely to succeed in this pursuit if you thrive on structure and thorough organization. Similarly, if you have trouble concentrating or feel overwhelmed while handling multiple projects, this is probably not the gig for you.

Picking A Side Hustle

Find a possible side hustle that fits your skills, interests and availability first. Learn about the market & decide if your idea could work. Write your goals, budget and schedule down. Consider what tools and resources you will need, such as a good laptop, software, and items for your inventory. And third, create systems to streamline your work - use scheduling tools and financial trackers to maximize your efficiency.

Execution

Define Your Goals

Write down exactly what you want to accomplish with your side hustle. Want to make extra cash? Get full time entrepreneurship? Or just have fun? Define your "why" to keep you focused and motivated during busy periods.

Create a Schedule

Block out time each week for your side hustle. You can work early mornings, evenings or weekends. Treat these time blocks like appointments you cannot miss.

Start Small and Scale Gradually

Start with manageable tasks and increase your workload as you gain confidence. For example, get some small projects under your belt before you take on any mammoth projects. Rapid scaling can cause burnout or overcommitment, so take things slow and steady.

Automate and Outsource

Automation tools can come in really handy when managing social media posts or invoices. As your side hustle grows, outsource repetitive tasks to freelancers or virtual assistants. This will leave you with more time for strategic decision making.

Network and Market Strategically

Use your existing social network to promote your side hustle. Interact with potential customers and produce targeted content tailored to their preferences. Referrals and word of mouth are often underrated as marketing tools. Take advantage of them and spend time in your community to spread awareness around your service.

Track Your Progress

Take time to check in on how you are scoring on key performance indicators such as income, client feedback, and website traffic. This will help you track your side hustle's progress. Change strategies according to what works and what does not.

Bumps in the Road

Time Management Problems

Managing your time well is crucial to both your full-time job and your side hustle. Set priorities with to-do lists & project management apps, and don't be disheartened when you have a busy week. Your efforts will pay off in the end.

Exhaustion

Work days without breaks can exhaust you physically and mentally. Schedule downtime for relaxation and rejuvenation. Remember: sustainable growth means balancing work and life.

Unreliable Income

One downside of a side hustle is that the income is never guaranteed, unlike with your full time employer. However, you are somewhat protected against this volatility by the steady income you receive from your main job. This is one reason why starting a side hustle while working full time is a good idea. If you quit your main job while your side hustle is still in its early stages, you are constantly under pressure to make it work. Of course, a small amount of pressure can be a healthy motivator, but too much can be debilitating.

Working hard at a good side hustle can help you on your journey to financial freedom. Though it might seem daunting, success is completely achievable if you focus on being consistent and delivering a great service. So what are you waiting for? Time to get started.