Girl with Camera Side Hustle personalprofitability.com

4 Ways You Are Sabotaging Your Side Hustle

Having a side hustle is one of the best ways to earn more, create more job security, and enhance your skills. I’m a huge fan of side hustling, even now that I’m a full-time freelance writer. It gets me trying new things and out of my comfort zone.

4-Ways-You-Are-Sabotaging-Your-Side-Hustle

I often have many people ask me how to get started with side hustling. I tell them everything I know, yet there’s always a myriad of excuses on why it’s not working for them. I try to suggest other things and give helpful tips, but sometimes the issue may be you (harsh, I know).

Here are 4 ways you are sabotaging your side hustle:

You Don’t Want it Bad Enough

While side hustling is fun, it’s not easy and isn’t something that is going to happen overnight. You have to want it and actually take the steps to make it happen. This means spending time on pitching, marketing, and putting yourself out there — all the unglamorous things that come along with trying to start your own side business.

In order to succeed with side hustling, you have to be hungry for it. You have to want it. If you don’t want it bad enough, it will show in your results as well as your attitude. Ask yourself, “is this something I really want to do?”, or am I doing it because I think I “should”?

You Are Not Willing to Put in the Time

The term side hustling specifically denotes doing something, on the side. This means on top of everything you are already doing. To be a successful side hustler, you have to be willing to put in the time to make it happen. This often means long hours on top of your already busy schedule. Successful side hustlers manage working full-time, hustling on the side, as well as their relationships and family commitments. It’s a delicate balance for sure and one that requires great practice.

But if you are always saying that “you never have time” or you prefer to lounge around in your free time, side hustling isn’t going to work out very well. That’s okay as side hustling is not for everyone. You have to know yourself and your limits to be able to take on more work.

But if you want to side hustle and make extra money, you have to put in the extra time and effort. But, how, you may ask? Wake up early and stay up late. There is really no other way. We all get the same 24 hours in a day, so use it wisely. Limit social media and things that don’t pay you. I recently had this revelation when I was spending too much time on answering emails. I had to literally write myself a note, “You don’t get paid to answer emails.” Focus on the work that matters and the work that is bringing you money. Have laser focus intensity and put in the time and you will see results. Even if you feel like nothing is happening, or nothing is changing, putting in the time helps plant the seeds for progress.

You Have Unrealistic Expectations

When you work online, or get to work fun events, people can think that what you do is really easy. But it’s not as easy as it looks and it’s not always glamorous. Everyone has to start from somewhere and those beginning moments can be tough. Trying to break through into something different and try something new is hard. If you’re struggling with side hustling, you may have unrealistic expectations.

You may have to work for low pay to get started. You may have to do work you don’t like. You will have a steep learning curve. Don’t judge a side hustle simply on what you see on the outside. Have realistic expectations about side hustling both in regards to time and money. How much are you hoping to make? How much time can you afford to put into your side hustle? If you think you’ll make $1,000 in a month, with three hours of work, you have unrealistic expectations. I don’t want to burst anyone’s bubble as I want everyone to dream big and work hard — but there are steps to get there. So maybe some day you will make $1,000 in three hours, but if you are just starting out, you have to work your way up.

You’re Not Willing to Change

Side hustling is a way of rejecting the status quo. It’s a way to do your own thing in a comfortable, cookie cutter world. Side hustling can be empowering as well as motivating. Because of this, you have to change as a person in order to successfully side hustle. If you want to stay in your comfort zone, work 9-5, and do nothing else, then side hustling isn’t a good fit. If you’re not willing to change who you are and your mindset on work, it will be tough.

You have to start thinking about how to leverage your time to make money and think about how you can maximize your profits. Side hustling can be a great way of dipping your toes into the waters of business. You have to think, act, and do things differently if you want to side hustle, because at the core of it, you have to be a master juggler, and a business person.

I believe that anyone can side hustle and be successful. But you have to put in the time and effort and have realistic expectations. Most of all, you have to want it. If you don’t, that is okay. But if you do, think of what that extra money can do for you? Can you afford a new vacation? Will you be able to pay off debt early? Think of your goals and dreams and let that inspire your side hustle.

What other ways do people sabotage their side hustle?

4 thoughts on “4 Ways You Are Sabotaging Your Side Hustle”

  1. This is so true. Whenever I’m feeling down about my side hustling income or lack there of, I realize that it is usually because I haven’t actually been doing anything. I can read and research all day long, but that isn’t actually doing something active that will make me money. Once I snap myself out it, my income gets much better.

  2. My issue is that I can’t seem to stay focused for long enough and jump from one side hustle to the next. I found that I need to slow down and focus on one thing and find success before moving on.

Comments are closed.

Scroll to Top