Why and When to Think About Your Side Hustle ‘Why’
Starting a side hustle is easy. Keeping going can be HARD.
How far are you into your side hustle journey? If you’re only just beginning then the thought of starting something new, developing your passion, or earning extra money is probably making you feel really excited.
When you start out you’re really motivated and the possibilities seem endless. You imagine yourself making a fortune, retiring from your day job and taking a private jet to endless luxury holiday destinations.
However, as time goes on the initial excitement often begins to fade and the reality of balancing a side hustle with your other responsibilities can feel overwhelming. Suddenly you find yourself constantly tired, frequently overwhelmed and starting to ask yourself whether it's worth it. This is where most people give up.
Whether you’ve been going a while and this is your reality or you’re just starting out and want to avoid this stage, keep reading, because I’m going to share with you a way to keep yourself motivated that will carry you through the hard times.
The answer is to have a strong ‘why’.
Your ‘why’ is the reason you started your side hustle in the first place. It’s the core motivation that keeps you going, even when the going gets tough. Without a strong ‘why’ it’s easy to lose sight of your goals when challenges arise and believe me, there’ll be plenty of those.
As Friedrich Nietzsche, the German philosopher, once said, ‘He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.’ In other words, if you have a strong ‘why’ it will help you to tackle challenges, maintain your commitment, and ultimately, achieve your side hustle goals.
Here’s another helpful quote, this time by the author and inspirational speaker Simon Sinek, ‘Working hard for something we don't care about is called stress; working hard for something we love is called passion.’ Your ‘why’ transforms your side hustle from a stressful burden into something you’re passionate about. It reminds you of the reason you started in the first place and keeps that passion alive, even during the tough times.
So let’s look at when in your side hustle journey it’s good to consider your ‘why’.
Before You Start
Even before you get started on your side hustle journey it’s a good idea to take time to reflect on why you want to start it. Are you looking for financial independence, pursuing a passion, or seeking more flexibility in your life? Getting clear on your ‘why’ at the beginning will make sure that you have a strong foundation and will ensure that your side hustle aligns with your long-term goals.
When You Hit a Problem or Your Motivation Wanes
Here’s the bad news. You’re going to get stuck. You’re going to feel like giving up. Whether it’s slow progress, money worries or juggling your side hustle with other responsibilities, you’re going to question whether you can continue. And this won’t just happen once, but probably regularly. Revisiting your ‘why’ at this stage will remind you of the bigger picture and why the effort to get unstuck is worth it.
When Your Life Circumstances Change
Major changes in your life such as a new job, getting married, starting a family or having to care for an elderly parent can effect the amount of time you have to work on your side hustle and make you reconsider your priorities. Reassessing your ‘why’ during these times helps you determine if your side hustle still aligns with your current situation and future goals. It will help you to decide whether you still want to find time for it or if you need to pause for a while and come back to it when life settles down.
So, to sum up, regularly examining ‘why’ will ensure that your side hustle remains meaningful to you and to your life. It will keep you motivated and on track, no matter what challenges you face. By uncovering your true ‘why’ and staying connected to it, you can persevere through tough times and turn your side hustle into a lasting success.
I’ll leave you with one more quote, this time from motivational speaker Eric Thomas, ‘When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you’ll be successful.’ Let your ‘why’ be the breath that fuels your determination and ultimately ensures your side hustle will bring you the success that you want.
If you’d like more help with finding time for your side hustle don’t forget to grab your copy of my free resource ‘Easy Ways to Make Time for a Side Hustle’.