…Without burning out
As someone who has a side hustle she loves, it’s an amazing feeling when you can start making money doing something you’re passionate about. With 40% of workers in the UK having a side hustle as well as a day job, it may not surprise you when your best friend or work colleagues admits that they do.
But, even if you’re using this additional work for additional income or even savings, keeping up with the demands of a second job can be difficult if you’re not clued up on how to manage all your responsibilities!
I know in the past I’ve definitely struggled to juggle everything that’s going on, while managing client expectations and still maintaining my relationship.
Thankfully, there are a few easy ways to ‘plate spin’ all your jobs without losing your cool or running on empty.
Don’t let it take over your life
And, this is literally speaking from experience. While it’s amazing to be excited and be “all in” when it comes to building your little empire, your enthusiasm in the first instance, probably shouldn’t become the permanent pace. It really isn’t healthy or good for your mental health for any job to consume so much of your time (or life).
Sit back, grab a pen and a cuppa coffee, and decide exactly how much time you’re going to dedicate to your side business. If you’re finishing your regular 9-5 job and spending hours on end after work hustling away, remember that it is possible to overdo it!
If you’re struggling to squeeze in the gym, your friends, family, coffee dates and boyfriend/fiance/husband, then you may be devoting a little too much time to your secondary job.
Try to have a good understanding of how long certain jobs and tasks are going to take. It may even help in the first few months to overestimate so it doesn’t cause you to feel overwhelmed or stressed. And, make sure you plan ahead. Try not to go to sleep without knowing what you need to get done tomorrow.
Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.
Find a mentor or community
Whether you’re a social media wiz, avid content writer or love to create handmade bits and bobs to sell, finding a mentor or a community in your niche can really be a lifesaver!
If you don’t have anyone in your life who is going through or has experienced having multiple jobs on the go at once, it can be difficult for people to understand the fact that you might not be able to go for mid-week drinks, or that you may have to miss that casual family gathering.
These days there’s a Facebook group for pretty much everything. Take some time to search around a bit and find a group that fits what you’re looking for. There you’ll find like-minded people who will almost become your “tribe”; people who you can sound off too when things get tough or who you can get advice from if you’re ever stuck.
Be careful where you spend your money
We’ve all heard the age old phrase,“You have to spend money to make money,” but when it comes to your side hustle, this isn’t necessarily the case. Keep careful records of your side hustle expenses and make sure that what you are spending to build your business is a necessity.
You will especially need to keep a track of everything if you’ve registered as self employed (which you really should!) or as a limited company. You’ll need all these records when you have to file your taxes at the end of the financial year.
But, on the flip-side if you’re struggling and really want to make a go of your side business and need help, don’t be afraid to outsource and hire help if you need it. Investments like these can help your business avoid hiccups.
Sure, you know how to manage your social media channels, but do you really understand what goes into a full-scale marketing strategy? Sometimes you need to hire a specialist to make sure your side hustle business puts its best foot forward.
Know when to take a breather
Sometimes your heart really does point you in the right direction. If you feel like your passion project is becoming a problem and you’re no longer excited about it, it could be a sign you’re overwhelmed. When you lose your focus or your drive to maintain your hustle, you may come to realise that the stress of juggling the extra hours just isn’t worth the return — financially or emotionally!
If you’re feeling stressed, take a step back and reevaluate what you’re trying to accomplish. Take a look at how much time you’re dedicating to your side business and be honest with yourself about how much value it’s adding to your life. Sometimes, it’s just not worth the extra cash, and this doesn’t mean you failed — on the contrary, it just means you’re in tune with your priorities, which is a wonderful thing.
It’s all a learning curve
Trust me when I say that. I’ve been working full time for years but have pretty much always had a side hustle. Whether that’s been building my own wedding planning business or trying to build my social media empire, having a side business has taught me a lot. Just remember to listen to yourself 🙂
P.S. Guess who has just been ranked 69th of the Lifestyle Blogs and Influencers in 2020 😉
