In 2017, a CareerBuilder survey found that a third of all US workers had at least one side job. I was part of that statistic for a while, working long hours as a manager at a fast-food chain. To break the monotony and earn a bit more, I started freelance writing. Soon, I was spending as much time writing as I was at the restaurant. That’s when I realized I could make a living from writing full-time. So, I quit my restaurant job and never looked back.
Transitioning from a secure job to a writing career wasn’t easy. Some people make the switch sooner, others never do, and some even turn their side gigs into businesses that employ others. Whatever your goal, here’s what you need to know to balance your day job and side gig.
First, check your employment contract. Look for clauses that might interfere with your side business. Noncompete clauses, exclusivity clauses, and nondisclosure agreements are common. If you’re unsure about these, consult an employment lawyer. Remember, employment contracts can be negotiated.
Avoid conflicts of interest. Even if your contract doesn’t have a noncompete clause, you need to understand what a conflict of interest is. Discuss your side gig with your boss and HR representative to ensure everyone is on the same page.
Follow your workplace policies. Many employers have policies about employees’ side businesses. Some even encourage employees to pursue their interests outside work hours. Whatever your employer’s policy, make sure you follow it.
Organize your side gig separately from your day job. Set up a home office, use personal software and accounts, and keep your side business files separate from your day job files.
Treat your side hustle as a legitimate business. Consider setting up a formal business structure, open a separate bank account, create a business plan, and consult a tax expert.
To manage your time efficiently, start your day earlier, integrate your side gig into your morning routine, and use part of your evening for side gig tasks. You might also need to give up part of your weekend. Try to work on your side gig at the same time every day or week, set realistic deadlines, and create a task calendar.
Use reminders, eliminate distractions, and consider hiring a virtual assistant for low-value tasks. If you’re in a crunch, prioritize your day job. Keep your day job and side hustle separate, but if your side gig complements your day job, you might find opportunities to work on it during sanctioned day job activities.
Don’t overschedule yourself. Set a limit on the number of hours you’ll devote to your side hustle each week and adjust as necessary. Use your time off to work on your side gig.
Remember, most side gigs don’t turn into full-time careers. But keep an open mind about your side gig’s potential. When I started freelance writing, I didn’t plan on doing it full-time. Now, I can’t imagine doing anything else. Whether your side gig becomes a career or just a fun story to tell, enjoy the journey.
