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Because of my coaching business, I talk to a ton of different people – every week! Unlike a 9-5, where I work with the same group everyday, I talk to MINIMUM 8-10 new people each week. Something that’s been coming up a LOT (with these new folks and current clients), is:
TIME.
Specifically, not having enough of it.
I got a Time Turner keychain from Harry Potter world in January, buuuuuut it doesn’t, you know, turn time.
And while I snort in DERISION any time someone says, “You have the same 24 hours in the day as Beyoncé!” (UM, no I do NOT have an army of employees), at one point, Beyoncé did have the same amount of time as you and me.
You get the same 24 hours that everyone else gets, but your energy levels, health, obligations and work life may leave you feeling trapped, because YOU DON’T HAVE TIME TO DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO.
Below, I’ve outlined some tips and ideas on how to #LifeHack your day, to make time for your side hustle that you desperately want to make your full time hustle.
Fair warning, though. Not all of these tips/ideas will lead to you having a Balanced Life™. Sometimes, you gotta sacrifice some short term relaxation time for your longterm goals, and only you can make that decision.
1. Schedule TV & Netflix Time
Many of my clients use TV as a way to “wind down,” but y’all are not winding down. You’re shutting your brains off. It’s no wonder you’re so damn tired all of the time, because you’re not being present while you decompress.
While some coaches will tell you to give up TV, FOREVER, I’m not. Let’s be real here, y’all are not going to give up Shondaland.
But, you do need to give up most of your TV time. I actually recommend downloading a time tracking app on your phone, and measuring how much time you spend in front of the screen (laptops count too!).
Then, sit down and figure out what you can live without.
And schedule your show time. Stop making turning on the TV when you get home a habit. Let go of the days of binge watching shows. Like to watch Late Night TV? Make it a 1–2x a week deal, going to bed an hour earlier to get up an hour earlier to work on your side hustle.
Stop watching other people live their dreams, and go out and build yours.
2. Take Advantage of Your Commute
If you’re lucky enough to live within ~15 minutes of your job, skip this tip. For the rest of us, you probably spend anywhere from 3–10 hours a week commuting, trying to get to the job that pays your bills.
Driving? Audible is your new BFF. Find folks who have done what you’re trying to do, and listen to their book(s). You can also listen to a podcast like Being Boss®, that has great insights on how to start and manage a creative business.
3. Figure out Where Your Money is Going
NO NO DON’T CLICK AWAY! I know money is scary, and makes most folks click the little “X” on the upper righthand corner faster than you can say, “I hate my job,” BUT BUT BUT
One of the biggest barriers between you and doing what you want to do full-time is money. Specifically, knowing, down to the pennies, what you’re spending your money on.
Install something like mint.com, and begin reviewing your purchases, monthly. This is not about feeling guilty over buying Starbucks.
Frankly, I’ll quit buying Starbucks and make coffee at home in the month of NEVER 2020. But, it will make you realize where you’re leaking money, and help you make decisions on how to save.
As you save more money, you can invest in better side hustle tools, and build up your nest egg to take your side hustle FT. Alternatively, you can make it your goal to figure out how to save $100 a month – and put that in savings to help ease your transition into taking your side hustle full-time.
4. SAY “NO,” DANG IT
Folks will keep taking your time/attention/resources, until you’re left with nothing for you. It’s sad, it makes me freaking mad and it’s true.
Start saying “No,” and use this post to practice doing it.
5. Schedule SCHEDULEEEE
I used to be Queen of the Land of Flying By Your Pants. I thought this made me more Fun! and Spontaneous! But it actually made me really anxious and feel terrible a lot.
Sit down and look at your side hustle priorities for the week. (I do this on Sundays.). Then, map out when you will do what. Decide on what has to go, and think of ways to save more time.
Maybe it’s meal prepping, hiring a dog walker, downsizing your apartment (less to clean and less to pay for!), lengthening your commute a few days a week by using the train over driving — so you can work on your side hustle, etc. For me, hiring a VA (Virtual Assistant), so I could upgrade my hustle was LIFE CHANGING.
Want help starting your side hustle? Drop me a line here, and we can chat about a custom coaching program. Or, if you want more content like this, you can join my email list for online ass-kicking.
What to Read Next
If you’re looking for more helpful business content from me, here are a few posts – in different topic areas – to check out! Heads up – if you see one post that you vibe with, I link similar posts at the bottom!- Questions to Ask a Small Business Accountant
- How Much Should a Social Media Manager Charge?
- How I Made $20,000 on UpWork
- UGH!!!! Why your friends and family aren’t supporting your new business
- How to Get Started Making Money Blogging
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