When you get home from a long day of work, what do you do?
Do you curl up in bed with a book?
Make yourself a cup of tea?
Do you spend time with your family and unwind until it’s time for bed?
…Or do you turn the hustle way up and jump in headfirst into the work you really love?
If you’re one of the nearly 4 in 10 Americans with a side hustle, props to you! Having a side hustle is a smart move financially and a great way to follow your passion. Your side hustle can also be how you recharge by doing something you love – training for marathons, painting, playing music. It’s your outlet.
That being said, there’s a big difference between having a successful side hustle that fuels you, drives you, and brings you genuine joy and fulfillment… versus having one that totally drains you for very little payoff.
So I have a question for you: what do you really want? Do you want a side hustle that demands a lot of you, but just earns you a few bucks here and there? One that’s fun enough at first, but never quite lifts off the ground? Or do you want your side hustle to really take off, earning you money, allowing you to be creative, and catapulting you towards your full potential?
When I first started my company from my kitchen table, all I had was drive and a dream – and the money my grandmother had given me. I didn’t have much experience or know-how, but I believed in myself (most of the time) and I had plenty of grit. And after seemingly endless hours of work, numerous setbacks, and countless leaps of faith, I was able to build my business into a multimillion-dollar company.
So, if you’re dreaming bigger about your side hustle, I understand. And I totally have faith in you. I’ll share with you a few tips on how to make your side hustle work harder for you.
- Create a clear vision of what you want to achieve.
No matter where your business is at right now, take a moment to envision what you want your side hustle to eventually become. Do you want it to generate enough income to pay your rent? Do you hope it’ll one day be profitable enough that it overtakes your day job and you can devote all your time to it? Or are you simply looking for a creative outlet that doesn’t take up more than a couple hours a week? - Prioritize what’s important to you.
Working full-time, family responsibilities, physical fitness, errands, making sure the house isn’t a total mess, and attempting to get enough sleep can already add up to a really packed life — add a side hustle into the mix, and your schedule just might start feeling like it’s bursting at the seams. That’s where prioritization comes in. Start planning out each day by scheduling the things that are most important to YOU. If you want your side hustle to grow, find time to devote to it every single day — and stick to that schedule. If you let your entire day be dictated by external demands on your time, you’ll never be able to find the time for what really matters most to you. - Ask for what you want.
Remember this: the answer to an unasked question is always “no.” You have toask in order to get what you want. Ask for opportunities to work with people. Ask for advice from people you look up to. Ask for the investment. Ask for support from the people you love. Ask for the introduction. Ask for the sale. Ask for the meeting. Ask for the things you want. The worst that can happen is you won’t get it… but that’s a guarantee if you never ask in the first place. - Take a step.
When you try to see the end from the beginning, all of the many steps to get there can seem really overwhelming. Don’t focus on that. Just take the first step in achieving your vision. Dive in and move forward. Know that every time you act, no matter how small, you get one step closer to making your vision and goals a reality. Motion always creates motion. So, whether the next step in your side hustle is creating a website, making a phone call, choosing a name, or even just setting up a new business email account — get moving! - Believe you can succeed.
Perhaps the most important thing you need in order to succeed is the right mindset. I can believe in you, your friends can all believe in you — but none of that really matters if you don’t really and truly believe in yourself deep down. If your belief in yourself is greater than anyone else’s doubt, nothing will stand in your way. You’ll be able to face challenges head-on. You’ll take charge of your own destiny rather than allowing fear to rule your life. And you’ll be prepared to succeed gloriously.
Allow yourself to dream big. Then, dream even bigger. You’re the only person who can hold you back — so, why would you?
As you work to implement these tips in your life, remember this: Success means different things to different people. Resist the temptation to compare your business or your life to others. What makes you feel happy, fulfilled, and successful might be very different from what makes someone else feel that way. Focus on doing your best. Embrace the things that make you different and unique. Then, and only then, you’ll find success — in your side hustle and in the rest of your life.