Have you been wanting to find time to start a new side hustle or creative hobby? Well, read on, I’ve got some good tips for you heading your way!
Just over a year ago I was able to quit my full-time corporate job to start my own business. But for months and months before that I was working my 40 hour a week job AND side-hustling 20-3o hours a week. Between adjunct teaching, freelancing, building my blog and delving into all the ins-and-outs of possibly starting a business I was maxed out. It was hard work, but I managed to do it, stay happy and still be present for my family. It led me to something that was a huge goal of mine, starting a business and between graphic design, interior design and some products I’m able to provide to our family finances and do something I love… every day.
This doesn’t come without its challenges though, one of the major things is time. Because I’m trying to match or surpass my corporate salary, I’ve been taking on a lot of clients. Luckily, I have those clients coming to me so I can maintain that financial position. But, because of that, my time is filled during the day with client work. I still have to create time for my business and my own dreams in the fringe hours. So all these points that I wrote down so long ago are still so relevant to me. Actually, even more so because I know it’s possible.
I know it’s possible to build my side hustle-turned-business in the off hours. In the hours that the kids are sleeping, or that I would normally be sitting in front of the TV OR wasting time on things that aren’t so important. I now fill those hours with things that inspire me and drive me creatively. So here they are. The 7 steps that I take to create the time to make that happen.
Create a content calendar. (Or a monthly goal list)
This is by far my best advice that I can give you. When my main goal was to work on my blog full-time I took a blogging course, Blog Life by A Beautiful Mess. One of the first few lessons that they had was to create a content calendar. I’ve carried this over into my current business. Basically create a calendar of everything you want to create, post or work on. I usually have a brain dump list in Evernote and from there I can create a 3 month calendar.(Check out my last blog post with all the business tools I use) Yes, that calendar can change but I love having something to look at and work towards.
This is one of the main ways that I have not only kept me on track with my personal business goals, blog posts, and even life goals. It also keeps me inspired and I haven’t gotten burned out. You could use any tool you want- write it in a notebook or use a cloud system like Google docs. Whatever you do, make a monthly calendar and start writing your goals–ideas–post ideas down. This helps keep me on track because I know what I will be doing and when. I also know what supplies I will need, when I should plan on working on things and what order and if there are any supplies I might need to order.
Carve out time in the fringe hours.
What are fringe hours? Fringe hours are the hours of the day that surround the important things that can’t move. Work, doctors appointments, kids schedules are all in this category. But those fringe hours are the hours that you might take to watch a show, sleep in, take a nap. I know it sounds harsh, but Oprah has the same amount of hours that we have but seems to run an empire. Yes, she has a team of people, but I’m sure she isn’t sitting and watching the latest Bachelorette every week and if she is, she is multi-tasking.
This one is probably one of the hardest things to do because it takes discipline. D.I.S.C.I.P.L.I.N.E. I know, so hard, right?? There are so many times when I finish client work for the day and I just want to sit down and do nothing. Or, enjoy a nice happy hour cocktail and relax with Sean. But working on business goals whether it’s once a week, or five times a week means that you have to carve out time from somewhere. Actually, any dream you have has to be given effort, thought and time. Sometimes, that means waking up early, for me, it means writing on the couch in the evenings after the kids have been fed and planning my projects on the weekends.
Now that my kids are old enough that I don’t have to monitor their every move, but when they were young, I used to work when they were sleeping which meant waking up earlier then they did or working during nap times. I also did kid trading – arranging playdates with kids friends on one day and then they would have my kids over for a playdate on another day. This is a great way to get in some time for yourself even if it’s just to go to the grocery store!
Write down everything and constantly be looking for ideas.
There are so many times when I am out and about in real life, I see something that inspires me, I think to myself “Oh, gotta remember that for later”. Then, five minutes later I’ve forgotten it. That’s why I love Evernote. I have a spot that I can quickly write my thoughts and ideas down and then I don’t have to worry about it. Because it syncs between my phone and my computer I have it available to me at any time. I also use my notes app if I’m in a huge hurry and don’t want to worry about categorizing things. Carrying an analog notebook in your purse also has the same effect. Basically, write anything that pops into your head. You can always delete it or modify it later if you want to. But I find that keeping a running log of ideas further inspires additional ideas just by looking back at them. I also find that I think of more things because my mind has the freedom to think without having the burden of remembering all my old thoughts!
Find a routine then take time off.
Creating time to play and creating white space is so important in all aspects of your life. In the graphic design world, white space is the really important space on a paper (or digitally), left intentionally blank to help balance out the important elements on the page. In life, you need that down time to help all the other elements in your life to take on more importance. You also have time to think, dream and really explore what is going on in your head! If you keep yourself so busy, you won’t ever have time to even think about what to do next and be intentional about it. You will just end up letting life live you instead of you living life.
The concept of play is also so important. It’s so important to explore new things, new techniques, new adventures. Getting outside on a hike or walk will help you see things from a different view. Playing with your kids and playdough will help connect your creativeness to your brain. Be intentional about playing a little everyday. It will relax you and relieve stress.
Work anywhere or everywhere.
I remember when my kids were babies and were just in a really terrible mood, by changing their scenery, I could change their mood. It’s the same with you! When you are feeling in a funk and don’t want to get something done, by changing your scenery you can snap yourself out of it. Take your laptop or art supplies outside if you are always working inside. Move from your desk to the couch or dining room table. Take some time to go to a local coffeehouse or workspace. It’s important to get out there and experience new sights and smells. It will help motivate and inspire you.
Find a community.
It’s amazing what talking to people can do. For a while, I was writing for my blog without telling anyone (except Sean of course). For some reason, I felt like if I put it out there people (friends and family) wouldn’t like it. While I was really doing this for me and having a creative outlet having a community around me to support me was something I desperately needed. Once I told people at work, it was nice to get feedback and insight I didn’t have.
Now that I’m not in a corporate job and surrounded by creative people it’s even harder to get that feedback and creative inspiration. So, the first thing I did when I went out on my own was to join a creative group. This group is women of all different niches, photography, painter, mixed media, crafting… and I fit right in. The awesome thing is, we have a consistent time that we meet (third Friday of every month), we come with business or creative goals, and we help each other find solutions to roadblocks they might be experiencing. The meeting holds somewhat of a structure, 15 minutes of sharing each, creative inspiration brought by one member (rotates every time) and this year we are incorporating field trips to local museums or art shows.
I love this group and they help keep me inspired and motivated. I’m definitely on the more business side of things when I talk to them, but they have told me they love it, but I love hearing all their art adventures as well. Our group is pretty structured, but you could just have a group of friends that inspired you to work at your goal, whether its a monthly crafting group, business book club, or painting class, being part of that community inspires you to continue on in your craft.
You can look online for groups in your area, or if you can’t find one, start your own! Reach out on Facebook or Instagram to people in your area or talk to your friends. You don’t have to know the people to begin with, it helps expand your creative network.
Find a cheerleader.
I scored big time when I married Sean. He is my biggest cheerleader and believes in me more than anyone else. But, finding anyone, a friend, parent, sibling, to cheer you on and believe in you when you don’t even believe in yourself is the number one way that you will stay motivated and inspired to keep going.
I hope all these tips will help you find the time, energy and space you need to bring you closer to your dream, be it a business dream, personal goal or creative endeavor. Leave a message and let me know what your goal is!
