Side hustle is one of the most popular options nowadays for people looking to increase their income. A side hustle is something that you do outside of your main work, mainly a hobby or a special interest that you have, and earn money from it. This could come in various forms, could be photography, copywriting, or something entirely different.
However, balancing the two is not always the easiest task in the world. That is because you essentially take on two jobs at the same time with very limited time. That’s why you need to know what is what before you actually take on this challenge. Otherwise, it could be a big hell for you.
If you’re thinking about starting a side hustle while working full-time, it’s important to consider both the advantages and disadvantages before diving in. As someone who has personal experience with this, I can attest to the fact that there are pros and cons to this, and it’s important to understand them.
Pros of having a side hustle while working full-time
Additional income
Perhaps the most obvious advantage of starting a side hustle is the extra income it can provide. Whether you’re looking to pay off debt, build up your savings, or reach financial goals faster, a side hustle can help you get there.
Skill development
Pursuing a side hustle can also teach you new skills that can be valuable in your career. For example, if you start a blog, you’ll develop writing and marketing skills that can boost your resume.
Flexibility
Depending on the type of side hustle, you may have more control over your schedule. This can be especially helpful if you have other commitments, like family or a full-time job, or both at the same time.
Exploring your passions and interests
Most of the time, people start their side hustles not knowing exactly what fits them. They try out different things and stick with one thing in the end that they like the most. That’s why side hustles are a perfect way to explore what you like and what your interests are.
Build a safety net for unexpected events
The additional income you get from this side hustle will help you build that saving account in no time. I personally have developed my investing account only through my side hustle income and used my full-time job’s income to build a savings account. There are many ways you can use your additional income.
Diversify your income stream
As you might have heard before, a table with four legs is stronger than the one with one leg. If you have more than one income, it will be harder to knock you down, and you can always be less stressed about your money and income.
Cons of having a side hustle while working full-time
Time management
Starting a side hustle can be a major time commitment. Depending on the type of business, you may need to sacrifice leisure time in order to make it work.
Burnout
Juggling multiple responsibilities can lead to burnout and feeling overwhelmed. It’s important to make sure you’re not sacrificing too much of your mental health in order to pursue your side hustle.
Conflict of interest
There is a risk of conflict of interest if your side hustle competes with your full-time job. This is especially important to consider if you work in a similar industry or field.
Difficulty balancing responsibilities
As you are juggling between many different topics and jobs, you might lose sight of what your responsibilities are. It’s extremely hard to keep track of everything you’re doing, which makes it hard to manage both a full-time job and a side hustle.
Tax implications and legal considerations
You are essentially earning an extra income that you generally get from individual customers. This kind of income could have extra tax implications or things to consider on the legal part. You have to research very well to see what are the exact considerations you have to consider.
Tips for balancing a full-time job and side hustle
- Set clear boundaries: Establish specific times of day for your side hustle and stick to them. This will help you avoid overworking yourself and ensure that you have time for other important activities.
- Prioritize your tasks: Make a list of the most important tasks you need to accomplish each day and focus on those first. This will help you stay organized and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
- Use technology to your advantage: There are many apps and tools available that can help you streamline your work and manage your time more effectively. Consider using tools like Trello, Asana, or RescueTime to help you stay on track.
- Take care of yourself: Make sure to prioritize self-care activities like exercise, meditation, and spending time with loved ones. These activities will help you recharge and stay motivated.
- Set realistic goals: Don’t go over the moon trying to achieve the unachievable. Keep it realistic and possible. If you go over the moon, you’ll lose your appetite for working as you will be constantly falling behind.
- Seek support and help: There will be things you don’t know or times when you can’t keep up with everything. Don’t be afraid to seek help; talk to people and see how you can solve your problem.
- Stay organized and focused: Make sure that you keep track of everything happening both in your full-time job and a side hustle. Keep everything organized and focus on your goals.
Conclusion
It’s undoubtedly an extremely hard thing to have both a full-time job and a side hustle at the same time. It requires extreme effort, good management of responsibilities, and organization. However, doing the same at both times can give you an additional income that you can use to fuel up your savings, investment or simply have that summer holiday.
If you are thinking about having a side hustle but are afraid of the cons, I personally urge you to consider both pros and cons at the same time. Even though it’s hard, it’s extremely rewarding and could open up new doors in your full-time job, as well.
