When you have a full-time job, it doesn’t need to be the only thing you want to do in life. You might have another hobby or passion you want to take more seriously. The good news is that you don’t need to leave your job to pursue your passion. A side hustle is a great way to make some money on the side while doing things you love. This could be teaching, writing, dancing, or anything which lets you earn apart from the money you get paid for your primary job. But it’s not that easy.

Since a side hustle is an addition to your professional and personal responsibilities, it can add a lot of pressure. But if you manage it the right way, you can end up making more money while exploring if that’s what you want to do later on in life.

Here are 5 ways to manage your side hustle and full-time job:

1. Plan a schedule that works for you

Since you will be managing your side hustle along with your full-time job, a schedule is necessary to avoid overworking. You cannot work on your side hustle any time of the week you like.

There has to be a schedule. This can be 2 hours before your office time, 2 hours in the evening or maybe on the weekends. Plan out a schedule that works for you which can be managed in a way that your professional and personal tasks don’t get compromised.

It’s essential to stay consistent with this schedule. Otherwise, you may end up overworking yourself without any progress. Having a schedule will help you manage time adequately and maximize focus on the task at hand.

“There is no downside to a side hustle. There are only benefits to building more than one source of income.” – Forbes

2. Minimize distractions

A full-time job takes up a significant part of your day, and if you want to manage it along with a side hustle, there is no space for distractions. At the same time, it also does not mean that you forget having a personal life, it just means that you balance it in a way that you only give time to what is important at the moment.

While working, mute your chats, or put your phone on airplane mode because believe it or not, your mobile phone is your biggest distraction. Doing away with distractions will not only help you concentrate in a better way, but it will also help you do tasks much more efficiently while maintaining quality.

3. Have a time-based action plan

Like any other form of business, a side hustle also requires an action plan. This should include your goals – short term and long term. It should also have an attached timeline with every goal so you can work towards it accordingly.

An action plan is essential because it motivates you to work because the goal is in front of you, and the timeline makes sure that you complete your tasks in time to achieve it. Without an action plan, you will be lost starting from a base point and going up the ladder. It will also make your side hustle very vague, and as a result, it won’t grow.

If you’re investing your free time in something of your own, then you might as well do it the right way, and that starts by defining an action or business plan. After you have laid down the plan, you can prioritize your tasks and start working towards them.

4. Constantly keep upskilling yourself

For a lucrative side gig, you need to work on your skills. If you’re selling your services, you need to be the best at what you do. Many things come into the picture when you’re working for yourself, and upskilling yourself is the way to go.

There are many free resources available online which can enhance your skills like reading blogs, doing free courses, listening to podcasts, following industry leaders, and networking with people.

You don’t have to take out time for these things separately. You can consume them while you’re sipping coffee or taking an evening break. Learning is the only constant, and it will help you when you want to upscale your side hustle such as starting a blog or launching a podcast among other ideas.

5. Find a mentor or become a part of a community

While you work with a team at your job, in a side hustle, you’re mostly working alone unless you’re planning to start a business with someone. Since you don’t have a lot of spare time exploring options, it’s best to find a mentor who can guide you through the process. 

You can also join a niche community of side hustlers or industry workers. Being part of a community helps in finding answers to complex questions and connecting with like-minded people. You can find these communities on Facebook and LinkedIn, or you can become a part of a private community.

This can drastically help you do your work in a better way by putting you on the right path among people who want to walk the journey with you.

“When you receive paychecks from different sources, it allows you to take more chances in your regular career. More income means more options.” – Forbes

Managing a side hustle is stressful and can get overwhelming, but if you have an action plan for it, and are committed to achieving your goals, it’s not difficult. Many successful brands like Apple and Instagram started as side hustles and the rest is history. If you have the will to do something extra for yourself and put in the effort to do it, nothing is impossible.

If you love what you do as a side hustle, it will not even feel like work. You’re doing what you enjoy, and it will reap benefits for you. The extra money that you’re making on the side is the cherry on top.