Anyone can hustle themselves to death, trying to make an extra $1,000 per month.
But that is no fun. And it is not necessary either. Sure, it could mean giving up something.
It should never include losing friends, family or your sanity.
Before you start working on making an extra $1K per month, you need to get your tools ready.
Do not fret. The ones I recommend are free and easily available to you.
We will start with your most important tool: a calendar.
You can use any calendar you like, for example Google Calendar or one you have built into your computer’s or phone’s operating system.
You will need the calendar to schedule time for work, your side hustle, friends, family and relax time.
All those areas are extremely important.
If you have a day job, it will be easy to schedule off time to commute and work. Be realistic about your available time. If you can, then schedule time for your online side hustle while you still have energy and brain power.
Most well-paying side hustles will need both of those resources.
But with a day job, family, friends and hobbies, it can be tough to schedule time for a side hustle, as well. Now, if you can combine hobby or family time with parts of your side hustle it is perfect.
At any rate, try to schedule time when you are mentally awake and ready to work.
All the scheduled time in the world do not help you get things done, unless you have a plan.
I have found after years of struggling that if I do not have a plan for what to do on that exact day, I will get nothing or very little done. If I do have a plan, I can be super productive.
I have also found that I save time by having a plan.
I can go straight to work without having to first find out what to do. Time is always an issue. Especially if you have a day job and family.
One of the ways you can keep it all is by simply having a plan.
Once you have your side hustle idea (we will get to that in a moment) then come up with a plan by starting with the end result in mind. Then work backwards, step by step, until you reach the spot you are at now.
Do not add 17 things to your to-do list for any day.
One or two are much better. One or two main tasks that bring you closer to your goal, that is doable. It will not overwhelm you.
An overwhelmed mind gets very little done.
Besides, it is a certain way to lose sanity and reach a burn-out.
You can write down the steps in a Notion template or Google sheet. Then check off each step as you go. It feels very satisfying to check off a step, even when you only have a little time daily.
You will notice your progress that way.
By now, you know you should set time aside for family and friends.
But you also need to set boundaries and let your family and friends know about them. Tell them that you will be working on a side hustle to make an extra $1K per month.
Also, let them know when you plan to work on it and when they can safely contact you or you will be with them.
I know… Toddlers and pets will not understand. Even your family and friends may not understand. You need to be patient.
Give them time and repeat your message.
And if you can, then take care of your toddler’s and your dog’s needs before you start working.
It will give you more peace.
Putting in the time alone will not do it.
You need to pick a profitable side hustle. One that has the potential of making you $1,000 every month. And one that does not take all day to do.
It needs to be a side hustle you can do in your spare time without exhausting you.
I highly recommend you read my other articles about this topic. And then write down a list of what you ideally see yourself doing. Make sure it is something you enjoy enough to do around ten hours per week.
Then check for its money-making potential in places where you can buy stuff.
Places like Amazon, Udemy, ClickBank… Or check if people repeatedly create videos on YouTube or articles on Medium.
If they do, it is proof that it works.
Some of the best online side hustles include writing. Writing books (fiction or nonfiction). Writing copy (on Twitter/X, other social media platforms, emails and sales pages). Creating Notion templates to sell. Creating videos – but do not rely on ads. Have other things to sell or promote as well and get sponsors to pay for ads inside your videos.
You can make an extra $1K per month from a side hustle.
And you do not need to sacrifice your relationships or your sanity. The key is to find a balance. A balance between work, spare time and side hustle.
Make sure to cover it all.
Pick the right side hustle that can make you the extra money you want. And please, do this…
When you work, work focused. When you relax, focus on relaxing. It is very important to be present in the moment whatever you do.
Then, with the right mindset and managing time correctly, you can soon enjoy make an extra income from something you love doing and maybe already do for free.
You just need to get started and do the necessary steps. It is equally important to show up every day and do that day’s task.
Never skip a day. That is the whole secret.