Starting a side hustle while working full-time job can seem like an impossible task. Top things off with caring for a family and managing a social life, it often feels like there are simply not enough hours in the day.

In reality, starting your own business while working full time can actually be a blessing in disguise. It gives you the means to stay afloat while you get your dream off the ground. In short, it can be done! 

So, here are six ways you can grow your side hustle while working full time.

 

#1. Wake Up Early or Stay Up Late

It’s important to preface this section by clarifying that sleep is important. I’m not suggesting you burn both sides of the candle or become a member of #teamnosleep.  However, you will need to carve out a few hours each day to when starting a business while working full time.

For early risers, this could mean waking up a couple of hours before you have to get going for work. If you’re a night owl, this might be foregoing TV time after getting home to do some work instead. Even if you only chip away at little things each day, that effort can turn out to be huge for the success of your side hustle.

Related Post: 8 Ways to Improve Your Morning Routine

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#2. Use Your Commute

So many people endure lengthy commutes on their way to and from their full-time jobs. Instead of complaining about the traffic, use this time to your advantage. 

If you take public transportation to get to work, you’re in a prime position to get some work done. Write a blog post on the train. Get on a conference call on the bus. Make a budget or craft a killer logo on that downtime. 

If your commute involves driving, you can still maximize your time in the car. Listen to a podcast that pumps you up or gives you sound business advice. Pop on an audiobook about becoming a better leader or success hacks from other entrepreneurs. 

One of the best skills an entrepreneur can learn on their way to starting a business while working full time is to maximize the time you do have available. All of these skills will serve you well in the future.

 

#3. Invest in Your Business

While some might see having a full-time job as a hindrance to their entrepreneurial dreams, simply reframe your mindset to realize that this steady stream of income can be used to invest in your business.

With these extra funds, you’ll be able to invest in things like courses, software, technology, and anything else that can get you closer to your dreams. So, don’t be so quick to quit your day job – as they say.

If you’re not the best at graphic design, take an online course on how to get better. If you need the best app out there to plan your social media calendar, don’t be afraid to upgrade to a premium subscription. Need a laptop with more storage space? Don’t be afraid to invest in a new one.

It might make you enjoy your full-time job more as well if you look at it as a business investment instead of something you can’t wait to get out of. It’s a win-win.

 

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#4. Don’t Do It Alone

One of the biggest mistakes new entrepreneurs make when starting a business while working full time is trying to do everything themselves. There’s no need to spread yourself super thin and burn out every other week. 

Take advantage of social media and use it as a way to hire talented people to take some of the load off. Get yourself a virtual assistant or a marketing coach so that you don’t feel like you’re in this by yourself. 

Can’t afford to hire someone? Find people in your niche that you can do collaborations with or barter services with. You might be surprised to find that right in your inner circle there is a lot of great help willing to be shared. 

If there’s one thing most business owners learn the hard way, it’s that they don’t delegate tasks enough. Save yourself the headache, get some sleep, and trust someone else to help out with the small stuff. 

Related Post: How I Stay Motivated as a Solopreneur

 

#5. Set Realistic Goals

If you’re starting a business while working full time, chances are you’ve got massive goals. Hats off to you – that’s great! What’s not great is overwhelming yourself just thinking about the sheer size of that goal. It can be paralyzing and there are certainly better ways to go about achieving our big dreams.

Set realistic goals within your larger goal. Breaking down something huge into smaller, actionable parts will make life a whole lot easier. 

For example, if you want to write a novel, don’t start by writing the whole novel. Break it down! By breaking it up into writing, let’s say, ten pages per week, it begins to become a lot more manageable and is far more likely to get down. 

Before you know it your first novel will be written and your business will be up and running. 

Related Post: 10 Must Have Apps for Crushing Your Goals

 

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#6. Make Sacrifices but Also Make Time for Fun

Sacrifice is necessary but it’s also important that you make time for fun when starting a business while working full time. Building a business can be extremely challenging so you might have to schedule in moments to relax, unwind, and enjoy life in the process.

After all, what’s it all for if you can’t enjoy the life you’ve created for yourself?

If you don’t take the time to rest and regroup, you risk burnout which can cause you to quit entirely and give up on your goals. When you burn out, you’re continuously starting from square one when it’s much easier, in the long run, to take breaks and recharge before it’s too late.

Being able to maintain a healthy work-life balance means you’ll be much better at maintaining the momentum to keep growing your business.

 

SUMMARY

Building your side hustle while working a full-time job is certainly challenging but it can be done.  The key to making it work is to stay consistent and to focus on devoting a specific amount of time each week to building your business. It won’t happen overnight, but it will eventually. Before you know it, your side hustle will become your full-time job! How exciting!