Dreaming of quitting your 9 to 5 job to chase financial freedom? Many people glamorize entrepreneurship as a rags to riches journey. However, the truth is that it comes with risks and uncertainties. Instead of jumping in blindly, consider taking a smarter approach.
Research shows that 81 percent of successful entrepreneurs started their businesses as side hustles while working full time. This method allows you to build your dream business without giving up the security of a steady paycheck. I followed this path myself. While keeping my day job, I turned writing into a profitable side hustle.
Over time, my side hustle grew significantly, eventually earning more than my regular job. Once I achieved consistent success for six months, I felt confident enough to transition to full time entrepreneurship.
In this article, I will share practical strategies to help you balance your 9 to 5 job with your side hustle. You’ll learn how to avoid burnout and set yourself up for long term success while maintaining financial stability. These steps can guide you on your journey to achieving your dreams.
Get to Understand Your Why
Take a moment to think about why you’re starting this side hustle. Ask yourself some important questions. Are you doing it because you’re unhappy with your current job? Does it feel like your day job is draining all your energy? Or are you looking for more freedom, time to spend with family, enjoy life, or focus on things that truly matter to you?
Think about where you want to be in the future. What do you hope your side hustle will look like a year from now? How about five or even fifteen years down the road? Is this something you want to grow into a full time career, or is it just a way to earn some extra money while exploring a passion?
If you’re dreaming of leaving your 9 to 5, imagine what your days would look like if you worked on your side hustle full time. Would it bring you joy and fulfillment? Or would it create new challenges? Understanding your why will help guide your decisions and keep you motivated as you work toward your goals.
What is Your Main Goal?
If you’re considering leaving your full-time job, think about when you’d like to make that change. It might feel overwhelming to imagine a completely different life, but having a clear target will give purpose to all the hard work you’re putting into your side hustle. Knowing exactly what you’re working towards will help you stay focused and motivated as you take steps to build the future you desire.
Make Good Use of Any Time You Have Got
Make the most of every spare moment by using your time wisely. If you commute by train or bus, use that time to work on tasks like writing content for your website. If you drive to work, listen to audiobooks about starting and marketing a business or topics related to your industry.
When you have gaps between meetings or during your lunch break, dedicate that time to research or networking for your side hustle. Small pockets of time can add up and help you make steady progress toward your goals. By staying intentional with your time, you’ll find opportunities to grow your business even within a busy schedule.
Take Some Break
Taking breaks is just as important as working hard, especially if you’re juggling a full time job and a side hustle. If you’re a working mom, life can feel overwhelming because both your job and motherhood demand so much energy. Adding a side hustle to the mix can easily lead to burnout if you’re not careful. I’ve been there. Burnout can show up as sleepless nights, weight gain, brain fog, or snapping at the people you care about most.
You can’t give your best to your day job or your side hustle if you’re completely drained. To avoid this, schedule downtime at least once or twice a week. Use this time to unplug and recharge. Do nothing work related. Relax, enjoy time with loved ones, watch the clouds, or dive into a good book.
If you usually work on your side hustle in the evening, take a little time to reset first. Have dinner with your family, exercise, watch a show, or take a short nap. Doing something that relaxes you will help you return to your hustle with more energy and focus. Remember, taking care of yourself isn’t selfish. It’s necessary.
Stay Organized by Using a Schedule
Staying organized is key to avoiding stress and feeling scattered. Create a schedule and stick to it. Start by deciding how much time each week you can dedicate to your side hustle, then block that time on your calendar. Even if it’s just 30 minutes a day while enjoying your morning coffee, those small pockets of time can add up over weeks and months, helping you build a successful business.
You might need to work a few hours on weekends or during early mornings and evenings. If you’re married or share responsibilities with someone, talk to them about setting aside some weekend time for your side hustle. For example, they could take the kids out for a few hours, or you could head to a quiet spot like Starbucks. By putting this time on your family calendar and treating it as important, your loved ones will learn to respect it too. Planning ahead ensures you stay consistent and make progress without overwhelming yourself.
Communicate Your Plan More to Your Family
It’s important to communicate your plans with your family and friends so they understand your goals. For me, this meant sitting down with my kids and explaining, “Kids, you’re going to see me working on my laptop a lot more over the next few months. I’m doing this on purpose so I can spend more time with you once I quit my job and work from home full time.”
They nodded and said they understood. Having this conversation helped them know what to expect and made them feel included in the process. When your loved ones are aware of your intentions, they’re more likely to support you and give you the space you need to succeed. Clear communication can prevent misunderstandings and build a stronger support system as you work toward your dreams.
Stick to Your To Do List
Time is precious, so use it wisely by focusing on your most important tasks each day. If you only have an hour in the evening to work on your side hustle, decide which one or two tasks are absolutely essential to move closer to your goal. Write them down and concentrate on completing just those top 2-3 priorities. This approach will help you feel productive and ensure you’re making steady progress.
While working, new ideas will likely pop into your mind. Instead of getting distracted, jot them down in a running list using tools like Google Docs or Evernote. Save these ideas for later and focus on tackling your main priorities first. As you complete your key tasks, you can revisit the list and pick additional items to work on during any extra time you have. Staying organized this way keeps you on track and reduces stress.
Use Your Job to Practice Your Side Hustle
Your full-time job can be a valuable resource for improving your side hustle. For instance, I was lucky enough to spend time at my day job writing internal communications and consulting on change management. This gave me extensive practice working with clients and sharpening my writing skills, both of which became crucial for my freelance writing business.
Take a look at your 9-to-5 and see how it can support your side hustle. Are there tasks you can take on that align with your goals? Could you benefit from additional training or workshops? Focus on building transferable skills like project management, planning, writing, time management, or networking. These abilities will not only make you better at your current job but also strengthen your side hustle, helping you grow and prepare for the future.
Be Thankful
It’s easy to complain about a difficult boss, challenging coworkers, or the constant flood of emails, but try to shift your perspective. Every situation at your job is an opportunity to grow. Those tough coworkers? They’re practising for managing relationships with contractors. Your frustrating boss? Think of them as preparation for handling demanding clients. Writing reports, proposals, or tricky emails helps you sharpen your skills and something you’ll rely on heavily when working on your side hustle. Most importantly, be grateful for your full-time job. It provides the steady paycheck that’s funding your dream.
Starting a side hustle while working full-time isn’t easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding. By setting long-term goals, making time to rest, sticking to a schedule, prioritizing tasks, and using your day job to build valuable skills, you can make the most of this phase in your life. These steps will bring you closer to achieving the future you envision for yourself.
FAQs about Balancing a 9-to-5 and Side Hustle
How do I find time for a side hustle with a 9-to-5?
Use time blocking to dedicate 1-2 hours daily or on weekends specifically for your side hustle tasks. Plan these blocks around your work schedule to stay organized and prevent burnout. This approach helps you focus on your goals while maintaining a healthy balance between your job and personal life.
What tools help manage a job and side hustle?
You can use apps like Trello or Todoist to keep track of your tasks. For repetitive jobs, like sending emails or posting updates, tools like Zapier can automate them, saving you time for both your job and side hustle.
How do I avoid burnout with two jobs?
Make rest a priority by scheduling evenings off and ensuring you get 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Say no to extra tasks that drain your energy, so you can stay energized for both your job and side hustle.
What tasks should I prioritize for my side hustle?
Focus on important tasks like client work or product launches. Make a daily list of priorities to stay on track and achieve your goals without wasting time.
Can I balance a side hustle with a demanding job?
Stay organized by grouping similar tasks together and setting clear boundaries. Use weekends to focus on your side hustle, and adjust your schedule if work gets busy, so you can maintain a healthy balance.
How do I stay motivated for my side hustle?
You set small rewards for goals join accountability groups and visualize big wins like extra income to keep pushing forward.
Final Thoughts
Seren’s time management tips demonstrate how to successfully balance a 9-to-5 job and a side hustle through smart planning, clear priorities, and making time for rest. By building a thriving dual career, you’ve discovered the importance of scheduling tasks, automating work, and staying motivated.
Now, start small by dedicating just one hour a day to your side hustle. Continuously refine your approach, embrace the journey, and watch your efforts grow into a rewarding source of income.
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