Pursuing personal interests and supplementing income are often key drivers for entrepreneurs, however the challenge lies in maintaining a healthy work-life balance. With the lines increasingly blurred for many between work and personal life, it can be difficult to switch off, especially as our indispensable smartphones often play dual roles in private and business use.
Whatever happens, never let your side hustle impede your ability to do your main job, even if it is not your main passion. If you give it a chance, it may even turn into your dream job. Here's how to seamlessly manage both:
Establish boundaries
The first step to successfully balancing a side hustle with a full-time job is to get organised and establish clear boundaries. Create distinct spaces for your job and side hustle, both physical and digital. This separation helps in switching between roles without feeling constantly pulled in different directions.
Divide your workspace
Invest in a dedicated workspace for your side hustle, whether it’s a co-workspace or even a corner of your home. This physical separation can serve as a visual cue, helping you mentally transition into your side hustle, after coming back from your day job.
Let tech take the strain
Utilise technology to create digital boundaries, creating specific folders, calendars, and apps for your side hustle. This is a very important step. It will sharpen your focus when the time is right, reducing the risk of being distracted by work-related notifications.
Manage your time
Consider allocating specific time slots for your side hustle, and make sure it doesn’t and cannot bleed into your work hours. This disciplined approach will ensure that you maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Adjust your schedule for better efficiency
Time is your most valuable asset and optimising your schedule is crucial to managing both job and side hustle effectively. Here’s how:
Prioritise tasks
Identify your most critical tasks and prioritise them. This will help avoid the stress of having to meet simultaneous deadlines in your main job and side hustle.
Use your peak productivity hours to your advantage
Determine your peak productivity hours where you can work at your best, and reserve them for high impact tasks. This will ensure that you’re making the most of your focused energy on both fronts.
Learn to delegate
Recognise when it’s appropriate to delegate tasks, whether at your day job or working on your hustle. Effective delegation can make your workload easier, which contributes to a more balanced lifestyle.
Can a side hustle get you into trouble with your employer?
Balancing a side hustle with a full-time job requires a delicate dance to avoid potential conflicts. Here’s how to ensure that you’re not jeopardising your career or compromising your wellbeing.
Review your employment contract
Before you even think about starting a side hustle, you need to carefully review your employment contract, as some companies do have strict policies regarding side businesses. Understanding these restrictions will ensure you avoid violating any agreements.
Be transparent with your employer
Honesty is always the best policy. If your side hustle aligns with your skills and doesn’t conflict with your job, then you could in fact discuss it with your employer. Having transparency can foster trust and potentially lead to more flexibility in your schedule.
Manage conflicts of interest
Ensure your side hustle does not and cannot compete with your main job, as this can create situations where your loyalty is divided. Clear communication and ethical considerations are essential in avoiding these potential problems.
It’s crucial to understand the legal aspects of having a side business, no matter the size. If you still don’t understand or are in doubt, please seek legal advice as this could be the difference between running a successful business or running into problems which could cost you both jobs.
Additional strategies for success
Make sure you establish realistic goals for both your job and side hustle. This will ensure you do not overcommit, as if you do it can lead to burnout and decreased overall productivity. Many people dismiss their wellbeing when they're busy, but it's important to take regular breaks, eat well, exercise and relax in order to recharge and prevent burnout in the long term.
Balancing a side hustle with a full-time job is no easy thing to do, but with strategic planning, good organisational skills and a mindful approach, it is fully achievable.
While you may only consider your main job as a means to pay the bills, never forget the invaluable experience it provides, perhaps in communication, teamwork or discipline. These sought-after skills will stand you in good stead for running any future enterprise.
Looking for professionals with an entrepreneurial spirit for your business? Or perhaps you’re seeking work with a forward-thinking, flexible employer? Get in touch with one of our consultants today.
