What Is the Side-Hustle and
How Can It Help You?
Do you feel like you're always running, never doing enough and are constantly being overwhelmed? Lack of time is one of the biggest causes of stress today, and there are some simple rules to stop being overwhelmed. A side-hustle is a side job, business or project that brings in extra income for you. In this article, we’ll go over a number of simple tips you can immediately use to take back your time and learn how to manage your time better.
#1 Establish a Schedule
The importance of planning cannot be overemphasized. Otherwise, a morning of "work" can very quickly translate into 4 hours spent hanging out on Facebook. And of course, then it's the lunch break... In short, a lost morning. But that doesn't matter, you can still do your work tomorrow, can't you?
Get rid of bad habits and stop wandering from one task to another by planning your daily tasks and stick to it. Start by scheduling 2 hours of work (be it drawing, or reading, or painting, or writing) between 10 AM and noon. Be careful not to get distracted by anything during this time. You can turn these 2 hours into the most productive hours of your day and save yourself a lot of headache and pain.
#2 Don’t Get Distracted
Distraction is your number one enemy. If you're constantly checking your email (or Instagram, or Facebook, or the best cat GIFs), you won't get very far. Not only do distractions prevent you from completing the task you need to do, but they are also very potent in wrecking your creativity: it makes it impossible to concentrate to gather enough brainpower to find the good ideas you're looking for. If you can't hold yourself back, download an application that will help you stay on track.
#3 Make a List of Priorities
Making lists can be a great way to stay organized. But they can also quickly become long, endless bullet points of obligations and responsibilities. Learn how to break your projects down into phases: what do I absolutely have to do today? What can wait until tomorrow? What can I do next week? There are plenty of tools to help you with this process. Start by taking 15 minutes at the beginning of your day to list your priorities. This will give you a very clear idea of what you need to accomplish that day.
#4 Do One Thing at a Time
Now that you know what your priorities are, focus on one thing at a time. You may be tempted to move from one thing to another when the fancy strikes you, but like distractions, this forces your brain to juggle different activities and slows down your creativity. Give yourself time to ruminate and focus on a problem to find the best solutions.
#5 Don't Skip Snacks
It's very simple: keep enough food on hand while you work. Hard-working people tend to get carried away by their imagination and forget to eat. Small snacks are a great way to make sure you don't starve without distractions.
Be careful, when it's time to eat, stop and take a real break. Don't just sit at your desk; enjoy your lunch instead. Relax, take a few steps... It's essential to clear your mind during your lunch break to be in full productivity mode afterwards.
#6 Don’t Forget to Have Fun
Don't forget to enjoy yourself and have fun! You likely chose your profession because you love it to a degree. If you work without having fun and without amusing yourself once in a while, you are going to have a burn-out.
Renew your vows by accepting projects that challenge you and teach you new things. And above all, don't forget to make time... to have a good time.
#7 Your Bed is Made for Sleep not Work
With all the gadgets available today, nothing is easier than being in bed working. Huge mistake! Don't work in the places you associate with relaxation. A comfortable bed won't encourage you to work. To avoid the temptation of a pillow, dedicate space at home reserved for work. How about a desk? A board and two trestles will also do the trick. And don't hesitate to decorate your desk with inspiring images to help you get into the mood.
This is an essential tip during the unprecedented lockdowns we’ve all been facing around the world. And if you’re having trouble focusing on work in your main job or side hustle ideas, you’re going to be in trouble.
