Is your creative side not being used often enough? Do you feel unsatisfied working your regular day job? Maybe it’s time you consider starting your own side-hustle!

If you’re anything like me, you’re probably getting pumped up just reading that first paragraph. As much as I would love to dive headfirst into Strings & Things as my full-time gig, it’s not feasible. That’s why I love keeping it as a side-hustle. It gives me something to look forward to after work, keeps the creative part of my brain fulfilled, and is a huge source of empowerment.

Managing a side-hustle and working full-time is difficult. You want to give yourself 100% to both, but it’s impossible. After delicately balancing the two elements in my life for so many years, I’ve discovered a few tips and tricks to help make life easier.

1. Learn How to Compartmentalize

This is step number one. Having something on the side can be distracting. The passion for your new venture is fresh, so you’ll probably have a difficult time focusing on anything else. I know when I started Strings & Things, I lost all motivation to do anything BUT work on my business.

It’s called a “side” hustle for a reason. It’s not your main goal. You need to be able to put your exciting little project in a box to focus on other things, like your day job or your family. Those still need to come first. I can guarantee that this will be difficult. I’ve gone through the ups and downs many times. But I can promise you that if you can master compartmentalization with your side-hustle, you will continue to succeed in all your life’s activities!

2. Write Things Down!

I find writing down my thoughts, ideas, and schedule helps me stay on track and meet my goals. When an impromptu meeting appears, I immediately write it down so I don’t forget. When inspiration strikes, I write down my ideas. Then I can go back to them at the end of the day or when I have free time and unpack the ideas further.

There are a ton of great apps out there (like Wunderlist) for taking notes and keeping your thoughts organized. I like treating myself to adorable stationary for my Strings & Things notes. Find what works best for you!

3. Don’t Ignore Your Ideas!

Creativity doesn’t always flow when you need it to, so make sure you capture it when it’s running wild. I’m not sure what it is about my brain, but I feel most creative and motivated mid-afternoon. Of course, this is also while I’m at my day job. Instead of ignoring or pushing my ideas away, I listen to them and write them down. Writing down my creative ideas helps get them out of my brain so I can focus on work for the last few hours of the day. Since they are written down, I can easily review and develop them more when I get home for the night.

4. Give Your Side-Hustle the Respect It Deserves

Don’t be afraid to share your exciting new journey with your friends and family! You’re not making a crazy life-altering career choice. You’re just adding something new to your schedule. The more often you let people know about your side-hustle, the more real it becomes. This will make you take your side-hustle more seriously and give it the time and effort it deserves. Respect the hustle! It could become your full-time job one day.

5. Schedule Time for Your Side-Hustle

You need to give your side-business time to grow. Much like a flower needs water to bloom, your hustle needs time to succeed (and that time won’t appear out of thin air). I’m not talking about literally the passage of time. You need to schedule time in the week for your hustle to meet your goals. Start small and dedicate an hour or two per week. Depending on how things go, or if you feel you have more time for your hustle, adjust your schedule.

I keep a very detailed agenda. I know weeks in advance how much time I will be able to give to Strings & Things. Some people think this is crazy, but it helps me stay organized. If I know that in 3 weeks I will be too busy for Strings & Things, I will adjust for the current week so I can fit in the time.

6. Apply Things You’ve Learned in the “Real World” to Your Side-Hustle

Let your knowledge of other topics mingle with your side-hustle. Apply things you learned in high school or post-secondary to your business. Think back to books, podcasts, or documentaries you’ve enjoyed and see if there are any nuggets of wisdom that could apply. Never underestimate what you’ve learned in the past and how it can benefit you today.

7. Spend Time with Like-Minded People

You don’t need to join 15 networking groups by the end of the month. You just need to find someone on a similar journey to yours. Openly discussing your hopes and dreams with a close friend will help develop your ideas. It will keep them fresh in your mind, which will help you stay inspired! You never know what you might pick up from someone else’s creative path. They might be able to share some helpful advice, or help solve a problem you’ve been stuck on.

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Don’t be shy about your side-hustle! It’s an exciting adventure that deserves to be shared. If you follow these 7 tips and tricks daily, you’ll be able to stay organized and focused in all aspects of your life. Get ready to crush your goals!

 

Let me know what you think about this post! If you know of any other tips and tricks, comment below and share the knowledge!