Hey friend, if you’re balancing a full-time job and a side hustle, we feel you – time management can be a real struggle!
It can be hard to find the time, energy, and motivation to work on your side hustle when you’re already juggling so many responsibilities.
After a long day at work, all you may want to do is relax and unwind, but there’s still a side hustle that needs your attention. It can be tough to balance everything and still find time to make progress.
Another challenge is finding the right balance between your full-time job and your side hustle. It’s important not to neglect your primary job responsibilities, but it’s also important to give your side hustle the attention it deserves. Finding that balance can be a real challenge!
But don’t worry, with some effective time management strategies, you can make the most of your available time and crush your side hustle goals. By prioritizing tasks, setting achievable goals, and using time-blocking techniques, you can work smarter, not harder. And we’re here to help you every step of the way!
So, take a deep breath, grab a cup of coffee (or tea), and let’s tackle this time management challenge together. You got this!
This week’s newsletter brings you:
- Strategies – The best strategies we know that will help you get it all done without burning out!
- Tool of the Week – Focus Booster makes trying out the Pomodoro technique simple and fun while helping you to stay on track.
Strategies
There’s no time to wait! Let’s dive into the most effective time management strategies for side hustlers who just can’t seem to find the time!
Get your priorities in check
First things first, prioritizing your tasks is a crucial time management skill that can help you get the most out of your limited time. By identifying the most important tasks and tackling them first, you can make progress on the things that will have the biggest impact on your business.
The first step in prioritization is to make a to-do list. This can help you see everything that needs to be done and keep track of your progress. Once you have your list, take a step back and think about which tasks are the most important. Maybe there are some things that are time-sensitive or that will have a big impact on your business.
For instance, promoting and marketing your side hustle is essential if you want to find success. Similarly, developing your product based on customer feedback can also move the needle forward for your hustle.
Other tasks such as tinkering with the design of your website or “procrastibranding” can probably wait until you’ve got the more important things done.
So once you’ve identified your top-priority tasks, it’s time to dive in! Tackling the most important tasks first can help you build momentum and make progress more quickly. And don’t forget to break down big tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. This can make it easier to make progress and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
By prioritizing your tasks, you can stay focused and make progress on the things that really matter. So grab a pen (or your digital tool of choice), and start prioritizing!
It’s all about time blocking
Time-blocking is a game-changing time management strategy that can help you balance your full-time job, side hustle, and personal time.
Time-blocking is a way of organizing your day by assigning specific tasks to specific time slots. It can help you stay focused, avoid distractions, and make the most of your time.
Creating a time-blocked schedule is easy. Once you’ve identified the most important tasks you need to accomplish during the day, block off specific time slots for each task. For example, you could dedicate the morning to your full-time job, the afternoon to your side hustle, and the evening to personal time.
The key to a successful time-blocked schedule is balance. It’s important to make time for work, side hustles, and personal time. This can help you avoid burnout and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
One of the best things about time-blocking is that it’s flexible. You can adjust your schedule as needed and be ready for unexpected events that may arise.
Time-blocking is an amazing way to boost productivity, reduce stress, and stay on track.
Pro tip: Always time-block your day the night before so that when you wake up you can hit the ground running!
Outsourcing and automation
Outsourcing and automation are other great ways to get more of your time back. If you have the budget to invest in outsourcing, you can get a lot more done in a fraction of the time.
Outsourcing is when you delegate certain tasks to someone else, like a freelancer or virtual assistant. Examples of tasks that you can outsource include social media management, bookkeeping, or customer service. By outsourcing these tasks, you can focus on the activities that you’re best at and free up your time for other areas of your life.
Automation is another fantastic strategy that can save you time. Social media scheduling tools can automatically post content at specific times, and bookkeeping software can automatically categorize expenses. This way, you can focus on growing your side hustle instead of getting bogged down by administrative tasks.
One of the biggest benefits of outsourcing and automation is that they can help you improve your work-life balance. By freeing up your time, you can pursue personal interests, spend time with loved ones, or focus on strategic activities in your hustle. Plus, outsourcing and automation can help you scale your hustle more efficiently.
So, if you’re feeling overwhelmed, consider trying out outsourcing or automation. These tools can help you work smarter, not harder, and achieve your goals more efficiently.
Eliminate your distractions
When it comes to working on a side hustle, distractions can be a major challenge. It’s easy to get sidetracked by social media, email, or other interruptions that can disrupt your focus and reduce your productivity. Here are some tips for avoiding distractions and staying on track:
- Create a designated workspace – this can help you mentally separate your work and personal life and avoid distractions from family or roommates.
- Turn off notifications – notifications from social media or email can be incredibly distracting. Turn them off during work hours to avoid temptation.
- Time-block social media – instead of completely avoiding social media, time-block it into your schedule. This can help you stay on track and avoid spending too much time on it.
- Take breaks – taking short, frequent breaks can help you avoid burnout and stay refreshed. Use this time to step away from your workspace and stretch or meditate.
- Use focus apps – there are a variety of apps available that can help you avoid distractions. These apps block specific websites or social media platforms during work hours.
There are many benefits of avoiding or minimising distractions. Increased productivity, improved quality of work, and a sense of accomplishment can all be achieved by avoiding distractions.
How many hours should you put into your hustle each week?
A common question people have when starting a side hustle is how many hours they should put into it each week. Well, the answer is…it depends!
The number of hours you should put into your side hustle depends on your personal goals, the complexity of your business, and the time and resources you have available. If you have specific income goals in mind, you may need to put in more hours to achieve them. On the other hand, if you have limited time and resources, you may need to adjust your hours accordingly.
It’s important to maintain a healthy work-life balance and not burn out. So, start with a manageable number of hours per week and adjust as needed. Remember, your side hustle should be a fun and rewarding experience, not a source of stress or exhaustion.
So, take the time to assess your personal goals and resources, and find a schedule that works for you. With a bit of trial and error, you’ll find the right balance of hours and tasks that allows you to make progress on your side hustle while still enjoying your personal life.
Resources:
How Time Management Can Help You Avoid Burnout
How Many Side Hustle Hours Is Too Many? – The Motley Fool
Bonus time scheduling tips
There’s no shortage of specific strategies, methods, and tips that can help you be more in control of your schedule. Finding which integrates best with your personality, needs, and desires can be a trial-and-error effort.
When you find out what works, stick with it.
The results should be increased productivity and more free time – this is a rare case when the “best of both worlds” is a target you can hit with a bit of experimentation and a lot of focus.
Here are some of our favorite quick time scheduling tips:
Use the MIT method
Do you often find yourself overwhelmed by a never-ending to-do list that leaves you feeling demotivated and unproductive? We’ve got just the solution for you – the MIT Method. Instead of listing out a never-ending stream of tasks, this approach has you prioritize and focus on the three Most Important Tasks (MITs) each day. And the best part? You get to tackle them in order of importance – starting with the most critical, followed by the second, and finishing with the third. This approach not only helps you prioritize your workload but also boosts your productivity and motivation.
Pursue Pomodoro
Taking breaks when making a schedule is a crucial consideration. The Pomodoro Technique provides a clear guideline for incorporating break times into your schedule. The technique helps you manage your break times effectively, leading to increased energy levels. The process involves setting a timer for 30 minutes, taking a break of four or five minutes when the timer goes off, and repeating the cycle for four blocks. After completing four blocks, you earn a more extended break of 15 or 30 minutes.
Try a time audit
It is common to face scheduling challenges because of activities that consume more time than anticipated. It’s easy to underestimate the amount of time spent on a routine task, like reading emails, and spend more time than necessary. To identify time-wasting activities in your schedule, you can occasionally conduct a time audit. This involves tracking the time you spend on each task, recording it, and analyzing the results. Based on the analysis, you can make adjustments and develop discipline to optimize your schedule.
Resources
Can We Really Balance Family, Work, And Me Time? – Forbes
A Guide to Balancing Work and Family Life For A Fulfilling Life
Tool of the Week
If you’re looking for a tool to help you stay focused and manage your time while working on your side hustle, we’ve got just the thing: Focus Booster!
This time management app uses the Pomodoro Technique, which is all about working in short sprints and taking breaks in between. It’s a great way to stay productive and avoid distractions, and it can really help you make the most of your time.
One of the best things about Focus Booster is that it reminds you to take breaks. That means you don’t have to worry about getting burnt out or losing your focus – you can trust that the app will help you take the breaks you need to stay refreshed and motivated.
Plus, the app provides data insights that can help you better understand your work habits and identify areas where you can improve. It’s a really helpful tool for optimizing your productivity and achieving your goals more efficiently.
And the best part? Focus Booster is really flexible and easy to use. You can use it on your desktop, laptop, or mobile device, which means you can take it with you wherever you go.
So, if you’re looking for a tool to help you manage your time and stay on track with your side hustle, give Focus Booster a try! We think you’ll love it.
