Earn More: Side Hustles That Fit Around Your 9–5

Did you know that nearly 40% of Americans have a side hustle nowadays? Moreover, I remember when I first decided to start mine – totally clueless about how I’d squeeze it in between my day job and, you know, actually having a life!

Furthermore, managing time for a side gig while working full-time is like trying to juggle flaming torches. Actually, scratch that – it’s harder because at least with torches, you can see when you’re about to get burned! Additionally, I’ve been there, done that, and got the stress-induced gray hairs to prove it.

However, here’s the thing: with the right strategies, you can absolutely make it work. Trust me on this one.

The Reality Check That Hit Me Hard

So, picture this: it’s 2019, and I’m sitting at my desk job thinking I’m gonna launch my freelance writing business on the side. Initially, I figured I’d just work on it “whenever I had time.” Yeah, right.

Consequently, three months passed, and I’d written exactly two blog posts. TWO! Meanwhile, my Netflix watch history was looking pretty impressive.

Eventually, something had to give. Therefore, I started tracking where my time actually went using Toggl, and boy, was that a wake-up call. Apparently, I was spending 15 hours a week scrolling through social media. Oops.

Creating a Schedule That Actually Works

First off, forget about finding time – you gotta make it. Subsequently, I started waking up at 5:30 AM, which honestly felt like torture at first. Nevertheless, those quiet morning hours became my secret weapon.

Here’s what my schedule looked like:

• 5:30-7:00 AM: Side hustle work (writing, client emails)
• 7:00-8:00 AM: Get ready, breakfast
• 8:00 AM-5:00 PM: Day job
• 6:00-7:00 PM: Dinner, decompress
• 7:00-8:30 PM: More side hustle tasks

Additionally, weekends were crucial. Saturday mornings were my power sessions – four solid hours of focused work. However, Sunday was sacred family time because burnout is real, folks.

The Time-Blocking Method That Changed Everything

Furthermore, I discovered time-blocking through Cal Newport’s Deep Work, and it was a game-changer. Basically, you assign specific tasks to specific time slots. No multitasking allowed!

For instance, Mondays from 5:30-7:00 AM were for writing blog posts. Consequently, Tuesdays were for client outreach. Moreover, this method eliminated decision fatigue – I never had to wonder what to work on.

Tools and Apps That Saved My Sanity

Listen, I’m not usually a tech person, but these tools made juggling everything so much easier. First, Notion became my second brain for project management. Additionally, I used Google Calendar religiously – if it wasn’t scheduled, it didn’t happen.

Moreover, automation was key. Therefore, I set up Buffer for social media posts and used Calendly for client bookings. Subsequently, this freed up at least 5 hours per week!

Oh, and here’s a weird one – I used the Pomodoro Technique with a kitchen timer. Yeah, my phone timer was too tempting (hello, Instagram rabbit hole). Sometimes low-tech solutions works best.

The Mistakes That Almost Made Me Quit

Nevertheless, I made plenty of mistakes along the way. Initially, I tried to do everything myself – website design, accounting, you name it. Consequently, I was working 80-hour weeks and making peanuts.

Furthermore, I didn’t set boundaries with clients at first. Subsequently, I’d answer emails at 10 PM and take calls during my lunch break. Bad idea. Really bad.

Additionally, the biggest mistake? Not taking breaks. Therefore, I burned out hard in month six and had to take a two-week hiatus. Lesson learned: rest isn’t optional, it’s mandatory.

Making It All Worthwhile

However, despite all the challenges, building my side hustle while working full-time taught me invaluable lessons. Moreover, after 18 months, I was able to quit my day job and go full-time with my business!

Furthermore, the key is to start small and be consistent. Therefore, even 30 minutes a day adds up to 15 hours per month. Additionally, that’s enough to make real progress on almost any side project.

Remember, everyone’s situation is different. Consequently, what worked for me might need tweaking for your life. Moreover, maybe you’re a night owl, not a morning person – that’s totally fine! Find your peak productivity hours and protect them fiercely.

Subsequently, if you’re thinking about starting a side hustle but worried about time management, just start. Furthermore, you’ll figure it out as you go, make mistakes, and adjust. That’s exactly how everyone does it.

Finally, if you found this helpful and want more tips on managing money and building wealth on the side, check out other posts on The Extra Coin. We’re all about making cents of your finances – see what I did there? 😉