Side hustles are booming.
According to a new survey called The American Opportunity Survey many more Americans are becoming independent workers.
In fact, according to the survey a remarkable 36 percent of employed respondents, or, 58 million Americans identify as independent workers.
And in some cases, respondents hold full time jobs “but also engage in a side hustle.”
That would be me for the better part of the past 24 years.
And for the even better news… Those who identify themselves as independent workers reveal a distinctive characteristic:
To quote the survey, “they are far more optimistic, both about their own futures and the outlook for the economy, than the average American worker.”
More than a third of them say that in 12 months they expect to have more economic opportunities, compared with a fifth of workers overall who say the same.
We’re also seeing prominent coaches and internet influencers such as Amy Porterfield and the like, promoting the idea of developing a side hustle to enhance your cash flow and indulge your creative side.
Here is an enlightening Guest Post by Rodney Laws, Editor at Ecommerce Platforms, sharing perspective on how to approach adding a side hustle into the fabric of your life.
A side hustle should always be fun, right?
It can be easy to lose your side hustle mojo when things get busy. And while it’s not realistic to want your side hustle to feel like a breeze every second of every day, your
enjoyment and happiness should definitely place a big part.
Having fun with your side hustle isn’t just about enjoying yourself, it also helps fulfill a commercial function. The more fun you have, the more successful you will be.
Not convinced? Here are some reasons why having fun needs to be firmly back on the side hustle agenda…
You won’t get your time back
The time you spend on your side hustle is gone.
The sacrifices and lifestyle choices that you’ve had to make to accommodate your side
hustle dreams can be hard ones to swallow…So don’t miss out on life by doing something
you’re not enjoying.
It’s not just about having fun, it’s also about acknowledging the value of time (your time).
Time is money, especially in business, so don’t sell yourself short
Even if you’re having fun, it’s important to work on your time management skills so that your side hustle doesn’t
become your only hustle…
1. Timebox tasks. Decide how long something should take, and stick to it.
2. Be careful about canceling social engagements for your side hustle. It can be a slippery slope.
3. Make a list of how you will be spending your time on a weekly and monthly basis.
Schedule in rest time if you need to.
Passion shows (and sells)
Someone who is passionate about their side hustle will attract more interest. Passion shows through when you’re talking or writing and it is infectious.
People like to buy from people who are having fun and enjoying themselves, so let your sense of fun and passion shine through. Running a side hustle can be serious, but it doesn’t have to be. Let loose and let your passion guide you.
If you’re passionate about what you do, you will naturally put more time and effort into it. It’s easier to do market research, write a new blog, or spend some time messing about in Snappa if you’re genuinely having fun and enjoying yourself.
Tip: Feel like your side hustle isn’t that fun anymore, but something else has caught your
eye? It might be worth making the switch to something you love.
Creative mindset
Failure is key to business success — and creativity. If you’re having fun with your side
hustle, you won’t be afraid to fail and make mistakes.
The creative mindset comes from a place of enjoyment and happiness, so having fun with
your side hustle often means you will also come up with more creative and innovative
solutions.
Creativity is a fearless mindset — something that having fun is all about.
Passion sustains
When things get tough, a sense of fun and a passion for what you do will sustain you.
Magician Jonathan Bayme started making cards as a side hustle, and now has a whole ecommerce empire to his name. His passion and enthusiasm for all things magic kept him
going during the tough times, and made him the perfect brand advocate.
A unique niche idea like making cards is something you cannot ignore once the idea takes hold. It might even be easier than trying to fit yourself into a regular side hustle mold.
Thinking outside the box is the mother of good ideas.
His story proves that it’s easier than you think to monetize your passions, so don’t be afraid to take the leap of faith. It just might carry you.
Forever business?
When you’re having fun, the years can quickly roll by. Having fun with your side hustle makes it easier for it to become your forever business.
Even if you have no plan to make your side hustle your main hustle, if you’re having fun, it’s likely that your side hustle will follow you around and be there for you whenever you want it.
Fun businesses often make great permanent businesses.
Side hustles are not always easy, but they should always be fun!
“Rodney Laws is an ecommerce expert with over a decade of experience in building online businesses. Check out his reviews on EcommercePlatforms.io and you’ll find practical tips that you can use to build the best online store for your business. Connect with on Twitter @EcomPlatformsior.”
Photo by Daria Mamont
Photo by Garrhet Sampson
