Side Hustle and Your Career
It's thought that around 57 million Americans have a side hustle. You may have started your own business from home. You might be working as a freelancer in your spare time, some of us have turned our blogs into successful businesses or branched out into e-commerce sales. Some side hustles are small.
They make a little pocket money and give you something to do when you are bored. Others are more than this. You might hope to one day leave work and take your side hustle full-time. For some people, a side hustle is a necessity. Low paid work, and high costs of living and housing mean that for some of us, one job isn't enough, even if it's full-time.
Our side hustles pay for birthday presents and luxuries and even cover some of our bills. Modern life means that we often do what we can to make things work, even if it means that we've got very little spare time left.
Career Impact
But, one thing that you might not have considered is the impact that a side hustle could have on your career. If you have given it any thought at all, it might be because you are worried that your side hustle might mean that you are tired and unfocused at your day job.
However, you might find that your side hustle improves your performance and your prospects.
How A Side Hustle Improves Your Mood
Going to work, day in, day out, sticking to the same routine and going through the motions can get boring. Over time, doing the same things each day can start to affect your mood and your focus.
You might find that you begin to become depressed, or that you begin to wonder if the career that you used to love is really right for you. This boredom often leads to people leaving good jobs and trying new things. Only to get bored again as soon as things settle.
But, sometimes it's not your job that's the problem. You just need to inject some passion into your life. Having a side hustle can be great for your mood. It can make you happy and give you something to look forward to.
Being in a good mood when you arrive at work in the morning is never going to be bad for your work performance and relationships.
It Gives You Financial Freedom
There is two main reason people start side hustles. One is to follow a dream or to give something a go. The other is financial motivation. We need to work more to earn more money.
If money is tight, and you've only got one job and one way to earn, there is pressure. You need to work as much as you can. You can't afford to take time off or do anything to risk your job. If a promotion comes up, you need to get it. You have to accept overtime, even if you don't really want it.
This kind of pressure can ruin any enjoyment you might have had of your job. It can mean that you push yourself too hard and that you start to resent work. It affects your performance and your chances of success.
If work becomes all about the money, then it can stop being something that you can love.
Having another way to earn money gives you options. Even if you are only making a minimal amount on the side, it can reduce the pressure and give you more freedom, at work and at home.
How A Side Hustle Improves Your Skills
When we start a new job, we learn a lot quickly. We have to gain new knowledge and practice new skills. Then as time goes on, we stop learning. That's part of why we get bored.
Your side hustle gives you a fantastic way to learn new skills. You might learn more about social media and other forms of digital marketing. Or, you might gain experience in web design and coding. Finally, you could brush up on your photography or writing skills.
The best thing is, you'll be enjoying learning again, and your mind will be woke.
Keeps You Fresh and Improves Your Motivation
Having something else to occupy your mind doesn't just stop you getting bored. It can also keep you fresh. You'll bring all of those new skills to your job, and you'll find ways to use them, even if it isn't always obvious.
You'll push yourself, you'll try new things, and you'll adapt your style.
This can help you to feel motivated at work again. You'll feel fresh, and like things are new. In this way, your side hustle can have a massive impact on your career.
Increases Your Chances of Promotion
Promotions, unfortunately, can be hard to come by. Sometimes, we can feel stuck in the same position. It can feel as though you've stopped moving forward and you can start feeling as though you are stagnating, stood still, becoming dispirited and uninspired.
You might be desperate to move forward. You might have looked at other options and side steps in your chosen field. A nurse might have considered a DNP and looked at DNP salary in the hope of moving forward again.
Your side hustle could be useful here. It shows your employer that you've got more skills than they've seen, that you are organized and able to manage your time.
It shows that you have commitment and passion and that you are the kind of person that does what it takes.
However, sold wrong and your side hustle could make you seem disloyal, or like someone keen to move on to new things. Make sure you sell yourself, and the benefits of your side hustle to your career if you want it to work towards a promotion.
It Looks Great on Your CV
Even if you love your job, you might not want to stick with it forever, but you might not want to turn your side hustle into a full-time career either.
If you ever find yourself looking for a new job, having your side hustle and the skills that it has brought you can give your CV (Course of life) a considerable boost.
What is a CV you may be asking? The difference between CV and resume lies in the length, layout, and purpose of these documents. CVs have no length limit; resumes tend to be one to two pages long. A CV details the whole course of the candidate's academic career; a resume summarizes skills and work experience.
You Could Make Important Connections With Your Side Hustle
A side hustle doesn't just give you a way to make money and develop new skills. It can also be a fantastic chance to meet new people and make new connections. Some of these connections might be useful at work. Or, they might give you opportunities in the future.
Others might just become good friends, who become part of your support network and offer you friendship, advice and support whenever you need it.
Your side hustle can lead to lifelong friendships and vital business connections.
A Side Hustle Sets You Apart from The Crowd
It's harder than ever to stand out in the workplace. More people than ever before have higher education degrees and qualifications. Hundreds of graduates with almost precisely the same resume apply for every job, and a degree isn't ever enough to get your resume to the top of a recruiters pile.
If you are ever looking for work, your side hustle could be what gets you noticed, what helps you stand out and gets your foot into the door.
A Successful Side Hustle Can be a Confidence Boost
Confidence is a tricky thing. It's tough to build up, but a small slight or setback can see it knocked right back down. We all struggle with our confidence sometimes, and it can be hard to find ways to boost it.
Therefore, running a successful side hustle gives you an achievement which can see your confidence skyrocket. 🙂
Are you working a side hustle today? Have you gone from a side hustle to a full time business like I have here? Has it boosted your confidence? I'd love to know more in the comments below!
