Finding Your Side Hustle So You Can Rely On Yourself Instead of Your Job
Conventional is no longer realistic. The world is in the middle of movement change. Most people are apprehensive about starting a side hustle because they aren't sure how to enjoy life while learning to build something they want on the side.
Are you stuck with a fixed mindset, or are you ready and willing to learn, grow and change how you view your work and make a living?
The age of the side hustle is in full swing, and for many, this new income option has become their sole income strategy.
Are you on this train?
Or maybe even wondering what you could do to make a little extra money?
Do you italicize people who can make an entire livable income by making videos and sharing them online?
Or use your massive social following to make money from brands that pay you for advertising them?
As a business and entrepreneurial coach, I aim to help people find and grow their side hustles into sustainable businesses they can't wait to work within days.
If you would like to learn how to find a side hustle that you might be able to turn into a real business, then read on, for I will share with you exactly what to do to find your passionate money-making hustle.
Discover your interests First
There is no worse fate than growing a side hustle, turning it into a business, and hating your work.
To avoid this, I recommend creating a list of things you enjoy.
Here is how to do that:
Grab a pen/pencil and sheet of paper
On the left of the paper, write the numbers 1 - 25 vertically down the page.
List the hobbies, activities, experiences, or feelings that you enjoy.
Circle the top 5 most important things.
Go deep on those things, plan time to learn more about those things, and try new activities that allow you to exercise those things.
Proof in the Process
In truth, the above process is my story.
Fear drove me to improve my career to make more money.
Frustration drove me to learn and eventually demonstrate outstanding leadership.
Recognition drove me to dive deeper into how to help people grow, improve, and move past their barriers.
Feedback drove me to start my coaching business.
The above list does not address fear, frustration, or other emotional triggers, and that's ok.
My list 15 years ago would have highlighted various aspects of my path, however.
Let me offer a second example:
I mentored and coached a man in the past who shared with me some of the things they enjoyed.
One of those things was cooking. This man loved crafting tasty meals through experimentation.
I suggested recording himself cooking and sharing these videos on youtube.
One day he gained the courage to record himself cooking and then began to edit his video.
In the editing, he found something that he didn't expect.
He LOVED learning about how to edit both photos and videos.
His interest consumed his free time. He spent hours learning about the different ways to make things look.
He has not made this a booming business today, but he has gained the much-needed clarity to know that this is what he wants to do with the time he has left.
He found the spark. The enjoyment in the work that is so pivotal to something we as people strive to gain...
The feeling of purpose.
What if you can't determine something from your 25 lists?
Don't worry. If you create your top 25 list of things you enjoy and you still don't know what you want your side hustle to be, that's ok.
All this means is that you need to try more things.
Experiences lead to passions.
Try things.
Gain experiences.
Don't say no to things that pull you outside of your comfort zone.
and
Most importantly, reflect on the positive side of all experiences.
Ignore the negatives unless they conflict with your boundaries.
Go deeper if you enjoyed an experience, situation, activity, interaction, or responsibility. Learn more about it. See where it takes you.
Steve Jobs was a college dropout who had a friendship with Steve Wozniak, who was developing the apple system. If Jobs were never open to the experience of helping Wasniack build his company, would any of us be using apple products today?
I'm sure neither one of them regret their fateful paring.
But Why? Why have a side hustle at all?
Growing up poor and directionless, I found early on that it was better to have some options than no.
I've watched my dad switch industries multiple times, trying to make a living.
I've watched my mom have to figure out how to live when my parents separated.
Massive financial and family struggles ruled my life.
There may be a time when you find yourself without a purpose or job.
The business on the side could be the very thing that saves you from losing it all.
Your side hustle could be your backup plan.
It could be your escape pod.
And if you are earning a little extra money from something you enjoy doing, why wouldn't you do it?
I want you to have options.
Options allow you some level of control.
Options ensure your family's comfort and future success.
What's Next?
Let me point you in a few additional directions if this topic is exciting and helpful!
Want more direction on this side hustle thing? Check out this article, "How to start a business using your current career."
Need help with this whole top 25 thing? Check out this training Success secrets, and you'll get the worksheet I use with my clients, a video tutorial, and two additional steps. Goal setting and priority management can help you turn what you enjoy into something you can see growing. Oh, and this is free. I email you the links over three days!
Maybe you want some hands-on attention! You can schedule a time to talk to me about one-on-one coaching here, And if you're in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area, we can meet in person!
