Choosing the Right Side Hustle for Your Lifestyle and Schedule

The options for side hustles are limitless. There’s no end to how you can put your skills to use in bringing in some additional income.

However, something to keep in mind is that not every side hustle suits every lifestyle.

If you’re working full-time, you’re going to have much more limited time available when compared to someone who’s only working part-time. This can be one of the problems when it comes to picking a side hustle, as you may not be totally sure how much time you’ll need before jumping in.

Ultimately though, whichever side hustle you pick, it needs to fit in seamlessly with your existing schedule, causing minimal disruption. Finding the right balance ensures long-term sustainability, and prevents you from burning out.

Your Side Hustle Should Fit Within Your Free Time

A side hustle is exactly that… something you do on the side. It’s a way of making some additional income that’ll fit within the available free time you have.

So when setting up a side hustle, or a whole new side business, or whatever it is you’re looking to do, it’s crucial to consider how much time you can realistically dedicate to it.

As we said above, many people end up making the mistake of picking a side hustle that demands more hours than they can spare, leading to exhaustion and decreased performance in their primary job.

If you finish your main job at 5pm on a weekday, and then you hypothetically go to bed at around 11pm, that doesn’t mean you have six hours to work with. In that time, you’ll still need to prepare dinner, exercise (if you do that), and have time to unwind.

Something that we’ve found helpful is to assume you have much less time than you actually do. Back to our example, if you finish at 5pm, assume you’ll have an additional hour, working on your side hustle until 6pm. This will still give you enough time to then handle all the other things you need/want to do in the evening.

But something to keep in mind is that your routine is different to mine, and both of ours will be different to someone else reading this guide. This means that no matter the side hustle you go for, it needs to be a good fit for you and your existing responsibilities.

If you work from home, or have some time to spend whilst at home, check out this list of home-based side hustles you can get started with.

The Importance of Maintaining Work-Life Balance

While the idea of earning extra money is appealing, your side hustle should not come at the cost of your physical and mental wellbeing.

When you first start a side hustle, you become a little giddy with excitement. You’re excited to work on your new thing and thinking about how much money it will bring in. But the reality is that without a proper work/life balance, you run the risk of burnout.

And burnout is an evil thing. It affects all aspects of your life, resulting in you feeling overly fatigued, and irritable, which can can negatively impact both your side hustle and your full-time job.

To maintain the all-important work/life balance, choose a side hustle that will let you set your own schedule. Options like online businesses, print-on-demand stores, or selling digital products provide passive income while requiring minimal day-to-day involvement.

If you prefer active involvement, consider freelancing platforms where you can control your workload and take on projects only when you have the time.

Different Side Hustles for Different Schedules

Not all side hustles require the same level of commitment. Some demand daily attention, while others allow you to work at your own pace. Selecting the right option depends on how much free time you have, along with your preferred working style.

There are really three different types of availability, and these out defined below:

• Limited Free Time: Consider low-maintenance options such as affiliate marketing, dropshipping, or creating digital products. These require an initial setup but can generate passive income with minimal ongoing effort.

• Weekend Availability: A weekend-based side hustle like running an Airbnb, pet sitting, or photography services might be a great fit. These allow you to earn extra money without interfering with your weekday job.

• Flexible Weekday Evenings: Freelancing on platforms like Fiverr and Upwork, or tutoring online, can be ideal. These allow you to work as much or as little as you want, making them a great way to supplement your income without overloading your schedule.

If you have any of those and want to get up and running, here’s a list of side hustles you can start today.

Avoiding Burnout While Running a Side Hustle

Burnout is the feeling that you just cannot do any more. It can manifest itself in many ways, like feelings of depression, not wanting to get out of bed in the morning, loss of appetite, and so many more.

This is something that you should avoid at all costs. Speaking from experience, burnout is an awful thing to go through, especially if you’re experiencing it whilst also having to maintain the responsibilities of your full-time job.

One of the biggest mistakes people make when looking to start a side hustle is over-committing. As much as you want to grow a source of income, you need to also leave time for rest and relaxation. Not having this can lead to exhaustion, stress, and ultimately, giving up.

To prevent burnout, set clear boundaries between your full-time job, your side hustle, and your personal life. Remember that scheduling downtime is just as important as scheduling work.

Something that can help with this is the Must, Should, Want Framework. This allows you to organise your day into three lists, things you must do, things you should do, and (essentially) things you want to do. Learn more about the Must, Should, Want Framework in our guide here.

Additionally, if you find yourself experiencing burnout right now (either through a side hustle, or just through life in general), now isn’t the time to add anything else to your plate. If you are feeling the effects of burnout, this video from the Cleveland Clinic is a great way to learn what you can do to help:

Choosing a Side Hustle That Aligns with Your Skills and Interests

Successful side hustles require two things: 1) to fit into your schedule without causing too much disruption, and 2) to align with your existing interests and skills.

Why is this important? Well, doing something you enjoy makes it much easier to stay consistent and motivated. There are going to be times when you’re not making any money, so you must have an underlying interest to keep you doing when this happens.

For example, if you love writing, starting a blog or offering content writing services would be a great fit. If you’re skilled in graphic design, selling digital templates or print-on-demand products could be lucrative.

If you’re not sure what your personal interests and passions are, you can use mind mapping to discover this!

Conclusion

There are many variables when it comes to selecting the right side hustle for you.

The most important of which is how big of an impact it will have on your day-to-day life. Ultimately, picking the right side hustle for you is a personal decision, as what works for me might not work for you, and vice versa.

Before committing to any side hustle idea, take the time to evaluate your daily routine, energy levels, and professional aspirations.

The right choice should fit seamlessly within your existing schedule, as well as provide personal challenges that keep you inspired and motivated.

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