How to Start a Side Hustle Without Quitting Your Day Job
Photo by King Muenfa
Everybody has a side hustle these days, right? So how do you start a side hustle without quitting your day job? I have outlined a few rules that I live by as a full-time employee with a side hustle AKA this blog.
This blog post is not for you if you are looking for an exit strategy from your day job. I am not the girl who is ready to jump head first into full blown entrepreneurship. My side hustle satisfies my craving to be in complete creative, while my day job teaches me skills and strategy to help build big brands. Keep scrolling to learn more.
#1 Start A Side Hustle That Compliments Your Natural Abilities
If you're looking to start a side hustle, then you must look inside yourself. What interests you? What do you have a natural passion for? Personally, I love fashion and social media which is what I blog about. My day job consists of managing social media for a fashion brand.
My interests are the same across the board, from day job to side hustle. I know that this isn't always the case. But in most cases, you should be working in a field that interests you. Money cannot be your sole source of motivation if you're looking to start your side hustle. Truth be told, you won't make money from your side hustle in the beginning unless your skillset is natural.
Excellence takes time to learn.
#2 Set A Schedule
Do yourself a huge favor and use a scheduler. My personal favorite is Google Calendar. I tried to use both a physical planner and a physical calendar, but neither were more convenient than google.
The typical American works 40 hours per week, meaning you don't have time to waste. Set aside 30 minutes to 2-hours each day to dedicate to your side hustle. If you don't have the capacity to work on your side hustle every day, start with weekends. The main thing to keep in mind is that your day job is your #1 priority. Your employer never wants to feel second to your side hustle no matter how great you are at it or how much money you make from it.
Make it a point to never work on your side hustle when you are at work. However, if you get ideas while working it's great to store those ideas in a safe space until after business hours. I hate when I forget to write down great content ideas then I forget them.
#3 Take Breaks
Yes, you heard that right... take breaks from both your side hustle and day job. Use your vacation time to get inspired again, research the competition and to refresh yourself. I make it a point to get away every 2 to 3 months. Routine kills creativity in my book.
Never feel bad for walking away from your side hustle for an extended period to figure out if it's still what you love. You must be passionate about starting and maintaining your side hustle without quitting your day job to not go crazy staying up late working.
#4 Show Up
You must show up, time and time again. Showing up means arriving at your day job ready to give it all you've got. Do not stay up all night working on your side hustle then fumble into work half sleep. I suggest using early mornings to complete side hustle tasks and weekends when necessary.
You must be present at your day job to keep it. *cough cough
#5 Hire a Coach
If you're serious about maintaining your side hustle, then you need a coach. I know that you are a hard worker, but you need more than long hours and exhausted resources to build an impactful brand. This is where I come in.
Drum roll please...
I am now offering brand coaching with a specific focus on content creation.
I will help you gain clarity on your social media strategy and overall content plan to attract the right audience. Hire me to help you to turn your side hustle into an empire.
I hope that you enjoyed this blog post. You can expect more empowering content like this moving forward. I’m on a new wave and hope that you’re coming with me.
Please do me a favor and share this post with your girls. In the meantime, follow me on Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter.
