Unlocking Entrepreneurship: Balancing a Day Job with a Side Hustle
Written on
Chapter 1: The Journey Begins
Just a year ago, I was living a typical graduate's life. Having recently completed my engineering degree, I was entering a well-paying day job. My routine consisted of coming home, having dinner, binge-watching Netflix, and then going to bed. I thought I deserved this rest after all the hard work I had put into my studies. However, I soon realized that this was simply mediocrity disguised as comfort.
One night, while scrolling through Instagram around 1:42 AM, I encountered a quote that struck me: "You can either sacrifice your comfort or sacrifice your dream." This moment led me to reflect on who I was before my 9–5 job. I had been a college badminton player, an entrepreneur who had launched a startup at 20, and a published author by 21. In the pursuit of comfort, I had forgotten these aspects of my identity. It was time to reclaim my passion for creation.
Fast forward to today, and in just eight months, I have:
- Built an online presence of over 20,000 followers
- Earned more than $4,000 in passive income while holding down my full-time job
I sell Notion templates and work as a ghostwriter for entrepreneurs. While this has been the most demanding period of my life, it has also been my most rewarding.
If you're hesitant about starting your own venture while maintaining a full-time job, realize that you're limiting your potential. Let's dive deeper into how to make this work.
Section 1.1: Shifting Your Mindset
It's important to acknowledge that this journey won't be easy. You will need to sacrifice leisure time, decline social invitations, and push through tough days at work. To stay motivated, consider the following steps:
- Visualize Your Future: Write down your goals for the next five years. Whether it's owning a car or retiring your parents, having a clear vision can guide you.
- Keep it Visible: Place this list where you can see it daily, such as your computer wallpaper or a sticky note on your wall.
Section 1.2: Finding Your Rhythm
Launching a business involves making countless choices, from what to eat to when to work. Each decision contributes not just to your business but to your overall character. By consistently making choices that serve your long-term goals, you'll cultivate a maker mentality.
Chapter 2: Establishing Your Workflow
Creating a system tailored to your workflow is essential. Whether you prefer early mornings or late nights, find what works for you.
- Goal Setting: Start by identifying your larger goals and breaking them down into manageable tasks. Given the constraints of a 9–5 job, it might not be feasible to dedicate six consecutive hours to a single task. Instead, segment your tasks into smaller, digestible parts. For instance, if your goal is to write a blog post, you could break it down as follows:
- Day 1: Research topics and draft a rough outline.
- Day 2: Refine the draft and proofread.
Section 2.1: Avoid Overcommitting
It's easy to get carried away with excitement at the start. While the adrenaline rush can be motivating, spreading yourself too thin across multiple platforms can hinder your growth. Initially, I believed that more content would lead to greater visibility, but I quickly became overwhelmed.
After pausing my efforts on Instagram and my newsletter, I focused solely on writing for Medium and tweeting. This allowed me to grasp each platform's unique algorithms better.
Section 2.2: Embrace Content Batching
Batching can be a game-changer. This strategy involves creating all of your content for the week (or even month) in one dedicated session. With a full-time job, time is precious, and batching allows for greater efficiency.
To batch effectively:
- Choose your platform.
- List topics and brainstorm ideas.
- Gather necessary resources (research materials, images, videos).
- Create detailed outlines for each content piece.
- If you run out of ideas, consider repurposing existing content in new formats.
Chapter 3: The Power of Networking
You don't have to navigate this journey alone. By connecting with others, you can accomplish tasks faster and learn from experienced individuals. Engaging with people on platforms like Twitter has connected me with founders, creators, and designers from various backgrounds.
Once you overcome your shyness, you'll find new opportunities open up.
Section 3.1: Managing Expectations
High expectations can be detrimental. Initially, I saw others making significant amounts of money and thought I could achieve similar results immediately. However, my first month yielded only $12 despite my hard work.
Avoid comparing your journey to others; it can stifle your growth.
To learn more, join the 300+ individuals already subscribed to The Solopreneur Digest, a fast-growing newsletter dedicated to helping aspiring entrepreneurs launch their journeys.
The first video, "Being Employed and Having a Business at the Same Time," discusses strategies for managing both responsibilities effectively.
The second video, "How to Start a Business While Working a 9 to 5," provides insights into balancing a full-time job with entrepreneurial ambitions.