If you have a unique skill, creative hobby or a business idea and would to start a side hustle, these tips will help you balance it with your 9 to 5 job.
Photo credit: Katerina
You just snoozed the alarm twice but you know you need to wake up extra early today. It is your first day on starting a side hustle. The expectations are high, and so is the anxiety. You probably don’t have much time cause in the next hour or so you also have to head out to your day job. So, you rush through what needs to be done before then.
This is a typical scenario for many people who are looking for ways to increase their income streams by having side jobs which enable them to focus on their true passions. If you have a unique skill, creative hobby or a business idea and would to start a side hustle, here are 5 tips on how to balance it with your 9 to 5 job.
Manage your time
You need to know what you’re spending time on and the amount of time spent on it. Time management is crucial in balancing your side hustle and day job. As tempting as it is for you to work on your side gig, you don’t want to have a negative performance review at work. For this reason, you need to make use of your leisure time like weekends or lunch breaks to get things done. Waking up earlier than usual or staying up for an hour can also help. (Read more on time management: 6 Tips for Professionals Struggling with Time Management)
Create a schedule
According to Parkinson’s Law, work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion. To utilize this law, you need to list the tasks to accomplish within the week then allocate the time you will spend to complete each one. There will be trial and error at first but eventually you will find a time limit that works. Remember it’s all about working smarter.
Set goals
Have short and long term realistic goals that will improve your performance as you work. Do you intend to turn your side job into a business or it’s just for paying the bills? Answering these questions will help you understand your motivation of why you started to have a side job.
Support system
What most people do is over work themselves and go through it alone. If you have a family then involve them. Let them know about the changes on your schedule so that even your spouse can adjust theirs and find a suitable solution to meet both your needs. Working together will boost your chances of success which will be of benefit to the family in the long run.
Rest
In the first few weeks you will feel overwhelmed and burnt out from all the work. Set up time to rest and relax. This will help you approach your tasks with a fresh mind.
