How to juggle the side hustle?! “Side-hustle” that is – the term my friend’s teen son had for his multiple side jobs. And parents…WE SIDE HUSTLE all the time. Raise your hand if you have a side hustle. Coach a team? Manage the PTA? Volunteer? Work outside-the-home? Stay-at-home-parent with your own biz? We are not one thing. As soon as you are a parent – you have something on the side. Whether you are the breadwinner or full time parent – you side hustle something. Let’s share with each other how to juggle the side hustle…
Aside: this post is inspired by me announcing I’m taking on another job. In addition to Parent Club. And my books. And freelance writing. *Pause* had to step away because my son lost a tooth. *Unpause* Prime example…juggle the hustle for the tooth fairy. It happens. Help me brainstorm how to juggle multiple jobs…
How to Juggle the Side Hustle
Organize.
Calendar and to-do lists all the way. I use gsuite (google calendar and tasks) and I’ve just started using Keep. Know what I like best?…the alerts on my phone (because more than once I’ve forgotten a conference call and that little reminder alert saves my bacon).
Meal options.
You might think this dumb to be so high up on the list of how to juggle things…but every time I turn around I have another meal to make (I’m looking at you school lunch!). I don’t always meal plan…but I usually have meal options…like always having pasta and tomato sauce in the pantry just in case.
Get help.
Outsource! Maybe it’s something to do with your home responsibilities (cleaner, nanny, lawn cutter). Maybe it’s something to do with your business (accountant, marketing, admin). Getting help might help.
Compartmentalize Vs Blending.
I’m team compartmentalize when it comes to all my jobs. They are all in their own stand-alone folders in my brain and on my computer. Somehow, I find that if it’s separated…it won’t get mixed up. However, I can see the benefit of blending jobs…form letters, spreadsheets, so on…when it’s all in similar niches. How do we all feel about compartmentalizing Vs blending?…discuss.
Same niche different hustle.
Ask me what I do for a living and I’ll probably freeze like a deer in headlights. I’m a blogger. I’m an author. And I’ve always had the worry that I had to choose between one or the other. But in today’s wordsmith market — you have to have multiple revenue streams to get the bills paid. I’m not just a blogger or an author (or a social media influencer or a author booking service or a work from home Mom). I do it all. Because I can. Because I have to. Because those are my hustles. And I know I’m not alone (see comments below).
Prioritize.
I, personally, don’t think you can have it all so much as you juggle it all. Before the school bus comes…I am full out in Mom zone…making breakfast and getting kids ready. Post school bus…I am working like a boss with all the emails and proactive thinking and writing. Then, somehow I remember we are almost out of milk and I run (actually walk…because I’ve had 3 kids and my bladder doesn’t do running…or jumping jacks) out for milk. Then, back to work. Next school bus arrives. And I’m boomerang’d back to the full on Mom Zone for the rest of the day. This isn’t to present how busy I am…it’s a glance at how I prioritize. Kids’ first and foremost, then next priority is work, then food responsibilities. I could spend all day in bed…but then #1, #2, and #3 would go to muck. You can’t hustle if you can’t prioritize.
I’m putting out a call to comment on this one…my friends…brainstorm with me!
I’m a compartmentalizer too, but I think in the world of blogging, you need to learn to blend a bit. If you want to try a new recipe for your family, well do it while meal planning, and then vlog and blog it…boom, blog content, being a mom and managing your home all filling up those categories. My ADHD self can find this hard though.
so true with blogging and writing (when I have a DIY or recipe I totally do that)
These are some great tips, I have to admit I need to start kicking up my side hustle again. I gave one a try last year and let it slip behind which was a bit silly.
You can do it!
Organize and Prioritize are keys. I have been putting off a few side hustle projects lately, but I think I am ready to tackle them again. 🙂
Go tackle!
I juggled for years but now my side hustle is my main hustle. I love it and wouldn’t change a thing.
It is the BEST when your side hustle can become your main hustle
I believe being a Mom and home maker is not easy, add the side hustle and it will be more difficult. But these tips are helpful and will keep one on track.
Moms are the masters of difficult 🙂
For me lists are big and alarms. It helps me to stay on track and I like to set reminders and don’t worry about it anymore. I try to make the most of time when I can.
I am using lists and alarms more and more
Every since I had my back surgery, I don’t side hustle as much as I used to. It’s really difficult trying to get back into the swing of prioritizing things, once again.
get better — then you can get back 😉
These are great tips! it’s very important to prioritize and follow the to do list all the way.
agreed
Managing your time well is the first step to take, very nice tips