15 Ways How To Make Time For Your Side Hustle in 2023

Are you trying to find out how to make time for your side hustle and finally take it from idea to successful side business? 

Don’t worry. You’re not alone. Many people want to start their own businesses but struggle to find the time. 

Perhaps you’re working a day job. Maybe you’re studying. Or all your time might be time occupied as a carer for your children or elderly parents.

Whatever the reason, luckily, there are still plenty of ways to make it work, even if you’re time-poor.

So whether you’re just starting out or struggling to find the time, read on for some tips and strategies to help you make time for your side hustle.

What is a Side Hustle?

A side hustle is a business venture you undertake in addition to your primary job. It can be anything from selling products online to providing freelance services, as long as it’s generating extra income for you. The great thing about having a side hustle is that it allows you to pursue multiple interests and use the money you earn to invest in yourself or your family.

Should You Quit Your Job To Pursue Your Side Hustle?

Before quitting your nine-to-five job and going full-time on your side hustle, it’s important to consider whether or not that is the right decision for you. 

There are many reasons why people quit their jobs to pursue their dreams. But typically, to be successful, you have to first have enough money saved up to make it through the transition period.

But what if you don’t have enough savings or the idea of taking a risk is too daunting? Then, it may be better for you to keep your job and focus on developing your side hustle in the evenings and on weekends. This way, you can keep bringing in steady income while you grow the business on the side.

Then once you start earning the same income as your day job, it may be time to ask yourself if you want to do your side hustle full-time instead.

15 Ways To Make Time To Work On A Side Hustle

Here are 15 ways how to make time for a side hustle, even if you are super busy:

1. Set A Schedule and Stick To It

The best way to ensure you can dedicate time to your side hustle is by setting up a regular schedule. Then sticking to it. 

Then, when you schedule the time to actually get something done, it will help you stay on track toward your goals and dreams. 

It works best for me to schedule some time in my calendar and set up alerts, so I don’t forget.

2. Be Realistic About How Much Time You Have

It can be easy to underestimate how much time you have in a day and try to squeeze too much into it. 

This will only lead to stress, anxiety, and guilt for not getting as much done as you wanted.

Instead, take a step back and look at your daily routine realistically. How much time do you really have available for your side hustle? Even just 1 hour a day can help you make significant process over a few months.

3. Wake Up Early Or Stay Up Late

If you’re struggling to find the time during the day, try waking up earlier or staying up later so you can dedicate some extra energy to building your business. 

On the other hand, if you’re naturally a night owl, don’t force yourself to wake up early and be a morning person. I’ve tried that too many times, and it has never led to me being productive or changing my routine successfully.

The key is to choose the time of day when you are most productive – so perhaps try both and see which works best for you. Getting enough sleep is also super important, or you will likely burn out fast. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep per night. 

4. Get Organized

Organization is key to the success of your side hustle when it comes to having limited time available. Make sure you have a plan in place and write down tasks so that you know exactly what needs to be done and when. Creating a to-do list will help you to stay on track and make the most of your time.

5. Prioritize Your Tasks

So you’ve gotten organized and created a to-do list, congrats! Next, you should take some time to prioritize your tasks to know which ones are most important and should be done first. 

It is probably the last thing you want to be doing, I get it, but it is essential to help you grow your business as quickly as possible and will help you save time in the long run.

Tip: Set aside time at the end of each day to set your priorities for the following day. 

It helps you know what needs to be done next and lets you start working immediately. Ultimately, you’ll spend your time being productive instead of procrastinating. 

Also, a few minutes at the end of the day can save hours trying to get your mindset right the following day!

6. Outsource Tasks

If you are getting bogged down with tedious tasks, consider outsourcing them to someone else. 

This is a great way to free up more of your precious time for important tasks like marketing and growing your business while having someone else assist with repetitive tasks.

Fiverr is a great place to find virtual assistants and freelancers to outsource work at affordable prices.

My affiliate link lets you get 10% off your first order (up to $100 off) so that you can take action and get things done!

7. Use Your Lunch Break

If you are working full-time and have a job that offers a lunch break, use it to your advantage! This is a great time to catch up on answering emails, check in with clients or take care of any other tasks related to your side hustle.

It’s best to do this from a different area than your desk – so you don’t get distracted by colleagues. If you have a laptop, bring it to work with you and work in either the lunch room or a conference room. Or you can even sit at a park table outside and get some fresh air.

Also, if you take a bus or train to work, you could use that time for your daily commute to work on some admin tasks that you can take care of on your smartphone.

8. Use Time Management Tools

There are lots of great tools out there that can help you save time. For example, scheduling tools like Hootsuite or Buffer can help you manage and schedule your social media posts all at once to free up more of your valuable time.

You could also use productivity tools such as Evernote, Notion, or Todoist to keep organized and manage tasks more effectively.

9. Don’t Put Too Much Pressure On Yourself

It’s important to remember that you don’t have to commit to a specific number of hours every week. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, taking a step back and reassessing your workload is okay.

The key is to find the right balance between work and leisure so that you can enjoy the process. If you try and push yourself too hard, it will almost certainly lead to burnout and, most likely, result in you quitting your side hustle.

10. Take Breaks

Make sure you’re taking regular breaks throughout the day – this will help to refresh your mind and refocus your energy on tasks. For example, instead of pushing through to work an extra hour, it’s best to take a break every 2-3 hours, so you don’t get too overwhelmed with work.

11. Batch Tasks

Batching tasks is a great way to save time. This means grouping similar tasks together and knocking them out all at once – instead of doing them individually.

For example, if you need to write blog posts, you could set aside a few hours each month to create a blog post outline for upcoming topics for the next month. 

You could also set aside some time in the morning or evening to respond to emails instead of progressively as you receive them. Also, set aside a day to create all the social media content for the upcoming week or month.

The key is to allocate set days and times to batch these tasks, and it is trial and error to find what works best for you. Batching tasks can save you significant time to focus on other more important areas of your side hustle, such as marketing and getting new clients.

12. Work On The Weekends

If you feel extra motivated and have some free weekend time, use it to work on your side gig. This is a great way to progress on tasks that don’t need to be done during the week. Especially if you are too tired to work on your side hustle after work. In addition, it is an excellent way to use your free time to focus on your passion project and will fast-track how long it takes to be successful.

13. Don’t Try To Make Everything Perfect

It’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting to make everything perfect. But sometimes, it’s better to get the task done and move on instead of spending countless hours trying to perfect it. Remember that perfection is not always needed, especially if you’re short on time. You are more likely to reach your goals if you focus on progress, not perfection.

I used to be guilty of perfectionism to the point that it hindered me from progressing on my side hustles. 

For example, when I started this blog, I’d spend days re-reading and re-editing each post before I published them. I thought they had to be perfect, or people would judge me or not take me seriously.

I have shifted my mindset to think good enough and move on. 

You can always go back and fix something later. But to do so, you must first do something to progress toward your goals.

14. Celebrate Your Successes

It’s important to celebrate your successes! This can help you stay motivated and focused on reaching your goals. It could be something as simple as taking a break to watch a movie or going out for lunch with friends to celebrate.

Tip: Remember not to compare yourself to other people. Only compare yourself to your progress from the day before, and keep going!

These are just some ways to find time for your side gig. Remember to take time for yourself, use the right tools and be realistic about how much time you have available each week. 

15. Take Care Of Yourself

Finally, the best way to make time for your side hustle is to ensure that you’re taking care of yourself. This means getting enough sleep, eating healthy, and exercising regularly. These things will help keep you energized and motivated to pursue your goals – even when life gets busy.

Are you currently struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, or burnout? Then, you can try using apps that help with meditation and sleep, such as Calm or Headspace. 

These apps can help you become healthier and happier, experience better sleep, and reduce stress and anxiety in just a few minutes per day.

They truly have made a difference for me. 

FAQs

How do I schedule my side hustle time?

You can use productivity and time management tools such as Evernote, Notion, or Todoist to help you stay organized and manage tasks more effectively. You can also use scheduling tools like Hootsuite or Buffer to help you manage your social media posts in one go and free up more time. Additionally, try to batch tasks together. Also, take regular breaks throughout the day. Then set aside some time on the weekends to work on your side hustle.

How many hours a week should you hustle on side?

This depends on your own schedule and the amount of time you have available. It’s essential to be realistic about what you can accomplish in a given timeframe and try not to put too much pressure on yourself. You should also take regular breaks throughout the day, so you don’t feel overwhelmed with work. Additionally, ensuring you don’t sacrifice your health and well-being for your side hustle is vital.

How much does the average side hustle make per month?

This varies depending on the type of side hustle, the amount of time and effort you put into it, and your goals. Some people make a few hundred dollars each month from their side hustle, while others can make thousands. Some people have been able to turn their side hustles into full-time jobs. It all depends on the individual and their goals.

What is a decent side hustle?

A decent side hustle is one you are passionate about and enjoy doing. It should also allow you to make money (either full-time or part-time) from it. Some popular side hustles include freelance writing, web design, graphic design, video editing, online tutoring, and food delivery drivers.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide which side project is the best fit for you.

What are the benefits of a side hustle?

Side hustles can provide many benefits, such as extra income, building your portfolio, and developing new skills. It can also help you gain valuable experience and boost your confidence. A side hustle can also help you become more organized, disciplined, and focused on reaching your goals. Additionally, having a side business can provide more flexibility to work on your own schedule.

How do I stop side hustle burnout?

Burnout is a common problem for side hustlers, and taking steps to prevent it from happening is necessary. First, set realistic goals and take regular breaks throughout the day. Additionally, try to find ways to enjoy your side hustle – whether listening to music while you work or joining an online community of like-minded people who can provide support during challenging times. Finally, don’t forget to reward yourself for your hard work – a small treat can go a long way!

By following these tips, you’ll be able to make time for a side hustle even if you have no time. You’ll also stay motivated and focused on reaching your goals without feeling burned out.

Final Thoughts

Having a side hustle can be a rewarding experience. Still, it can also be challenging to fit it into your already busy schedule. 

You can create a better balance between your time-draining commitments and your side hustle with the right tools, resources, and strategies. Doing so allows you to make the most of your time and work towards achieving success and helps you how to make time for your side hustle.

Good luck and happy hustling!

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