Having a side hustle is a good way to have extra income. However, having a successful side hustle isn’t all that it’s cut out to be. There are a few things you should consider when planning to start a side hustle, such as the duration, your reason for starting it, what your goals are, and whether you will enjoy it after a while.
The first thing you should think about is why you’re planning on doing a side hustle. If you’re doing it so you can quit your 9 to 5, you need to ask yourself the following questions: How many hours am I expecting to spend on this side job? How much is my target amount? When would I like to leave? Having these questions in mind can help you figure out your target date and the circumstances that come with it. If you are taking on a side hustle for a short-term goal like paying off debt, saving up for something you want to buy, or simply just to learn a new skill, develop a plan. Do you plan on giving it up after you have met your goals? If not, what do you plan to do after?
The next thing you should ask yourself is whether this is something you would enjoy doing long-term. Having a side hustle means you’d be putting in more hours for labor. So, if you’re going to do it, it might as well be something that you find pleasure in doing instead of it seeing it as a burden. Doing something you don’t really take pleasure in doing becomes more of a burden for you and eventually will make you hate doing it.
If this side hustle is a long-term project of yours, consider turning it into a seasonal job. That way, you do not lose the motivation to do it. Working a full-time job and committing to a side hustle at the same time might wear you out and cause a burnout. Consider choosing a side hustle that is more flexible. In that way, you can choose to do more of it when the workload at your full-time job is slow or do less of it when your 9 to 5 is loaded with work. Having a seasonal side hustle is more beneficial for you in the end as it gives you the chance to take a breather whenever you need it.
Side hustles are a great way to earn money, but sometimes you have to give them up if all it does is wear you down. Be a bit more mindful when choosing a side hustle to do and why you’re doing it. That way, you save yourself from a burn out and, at the same time, enjoy the work you do.