How To Balance a Side Hustle with a Full-time Job
Having multiple income streams is enticing. Bankrate reports that side hustlers make an average of $891 per month. This is why 93% of working Americans have some side gigs.
While it’s true that additional income is the most popular reason, some hustle on the side for the following reasons:
- Flexible work arrangements
- Skill enhancement
- Personal pursuits
But, of course, there’s a price to pay when deciding to take on additional work apart from your primary source of income—time. This begs the question: how do you balance a side hustle with a full-time job?
Whether you already have a side hustle or are still planning to have one, managing your time is a huge factor in success. The last thing you want is your side hustle to interfere with your full-time job. As you read through this post, find out how to effectively balance two jobs.
1. Manage time effectively
When juggling a day job and a side hustle, time blocking can help keep things in check. Start by prioritizing your tasks to determine what needs your attention first. You can break your day into blocks for each job, like mornings for your full-time work and evenings for your side hustle.
An excellent method is the Pomodoro Technique—work for 25 minutes, then take a short break. Dedicate certain days to specific tasks, like Mondays for meetings and Tuesdays for content creation. Don’t forget to set aside some buffer time between tasks to reset. And if you can, automate functions like social media posts or emails so you have more time for the important stuff.
Keeping it simple with a visual calendar can also help you see everything laid out clearly. These strategies let you stay organized and keep things running smoothly without burning out.
Prioritizing tasks with competing deadlines
When dealing with two jobs, it’s nearly impossible not to have tasks with competing deadlines. Knowing what to prioritize based on urgency and importance helps you navigate this. However, what do you do when both have the same degree of urgency and importance?
When unexpected tasks or interruptions pop up during your scheduled work blocks, there are a few ways to stay on track.
First, leave some buffer time between tasks to give yourself some wiggle room. If a task takes only a few minutes, handle it immediately, following the 2-minute rule. If something urgent arises, quickly re-prioritize and shift less critical tasks later.
Another helpful approach is time chunking, where you group similar tasks—this way, if something urgent arises, you can handle it and then move back to your planned tasks. If you can’t deal with the interruption immediately, postpone it and stick to your current focus. You can also set specific “buffer blocks” during your day to handle emergencies.
Lastly, try batch-processing tasks like emails at certain times of the day to minimize interruptions. These techniques will help you stay flexible while ensuring nothing is neglected.
2. Set clear boundaries between jobs
Setting boundaries between your day job and side hustle is key to balance.
First, create a separate workspace for your side hustle so you can mentally switch between the two. Set specific hours for both jobs and try to stick to them so you don’t mix the two.
You can also use different tools or accounts for each job—like separate email addresses or apps—to keep everything organized. You must also communicate with both employers, letting your full-time job know when you’re available and ensuring your side hustle clients respect your time.
Don’t be afraid to say no if your job demands too much, or try to keep work tasks within your set hours. Keeping clear boundaries allows you to focus on each job without burning out.
3. Manage energy, not just time
Recognize when you’re most productive during the day when balancing two jobs. This is key to managing your time and energy efficiently. Everyone has natural productivity peaks—times when their focus and energy are at their best.
For some, it’s early in the morning; for others, it’s late at night. Once you identify your peak times, schedule your most important or demanding tasks. This way, you’re working at your best and won’t waste energy on tasks requiring more focus when feeling drained.
Stay on top of your day job and side hustle without feeling overwhelmed. Keep the energy while juggling two jobs in sprints and taking regular breaks. Again, the Pomodoro Technique is a great way to iron this out. Step away from your work during your break and do something non-work-related to refresh your mind. After four sprints, recharge for a more extended break—15 to 30 minutes—before diving back into the next task.
4. Practice self-care
Balancing a day job and side hustle can be demanding, so taking care of yourself is vital to staying productive. Here are some simple self-care practices to help you maintain energy and focus:
- Mindfulness. Practice meditation or deep breathing to reduce stress and stay focused. Taking a few minutes to reset can help clear your mind and boost your productivity.
- Exercise. Regular physical activity, even simple stretches or short walks, can increase your energy and mood. A quick workout during a break can keep you feeling fresh.
- Sleep hygiene. Make sure you get enough rest. Set a consistent sleep schedule, avoid screens before bed, and create a relaxing bedtime routine to help you recharge for the next day.
Incorporating these practices into your routine will keep you energized, focused, and ready to tackle your day job and side hustle without burning out.
5. Avoid burnout
Apart from practicing self-care, you must also take practical actions to avoid burnout when juggling a full-time job and side hustle. Here are practical tips to keep in mind to achieve this:
- Set realistic goals
- Create a schedule and stick to it
- Delegate and automate
- Take breaks
- Learn to say “no”
- Dedicate a time for friends and family
- Review and adjust your workflow
Juggling two jobs is great for your income, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of your exhaustion and ramped-up stress. Burnout, if left unchecked, can seriously impact your overall well-being—both mentally and physically.
6. Communicate employer expectations
While you have control over your time outside your full-time job, you must stay transparent with your employer or employers. Be open about your side hustle while working full time. Share relevant details about your side gig, such as the nature of the work, the schedule, and how it won’t get in the way of your primary source of income.
Additionally, reassure your commitment to your work responsibilities and meeting deadlines. Tell them you have specific hours for your side hustle and keep it outside your regular work hours.
Familiarize yourself with policies on side gigs or outside employment. Keep work items confidential and avoid using your full-time job resources for side gigs. You’d want to also follow guidelines about conflicts of interest, confidentiality, or moonlighting. Remember that your work shouldn’t compete; it should complement your schedule.
5 tools and apps for managing multiple jobs
Trello
Trello organizes tasks and projects using boards, lists, and cards. It’s perfect for side hustlers who need a simple, visual way to break down large tasks into smaller steps and track progress.
Asana
Asana is a project management tool for planning, organizing, and tracking work with task assignments, deadlines, and project timelines. It’s ideal for side hustlers managing multiple projects or working with others who need a more detailed, collaborative approach.
Todoist
Todoist helps its users manage multiple jobs by centralizing tasks within separate projects. It allows for a clear organization that helps break down large tasks into smaller ones, utilizes labels for categorization, and sets due dates, priorities, and reminders to meet deadlines.
Monday.com
Monday.com is a highly customizable work operating system that centralizes project management, team collaboration, and workflow automation through an intuitive interface and diverse integrations. It’s a flexible option for various use cases, from project tracking to CRM and HR management, though it can have a steeper learning curve for advanced features and can be costly for larger teams. It’s a powerful tool for boosting productivity and efficiency across diverse business needs.
Google Calendar
Google Calendar is a free and widely used online calendar that helps you manage your time effectively. It allows you to create and schedule events, set reminders, share your calendar with others, and view multiple calendars simultaneously. You can also use it to create appointment scheduling links, letting others quickly book time with you. Google Calendar integrates seamlessly with other Google Workspace apps like Gmail and Drive, making it a central hub for your schedule and tasks.
It’s not a choice when you can be successful at both
Why choose when you can do both, right? But, of course, there are some things to consider. Remember, a side hustle isn’t just additional income. It’s also about additional responsibilities, resources, and time.
Take control of your time and energy to be successful with your side hustle while maintaining a full-time career. Strategically allocate your resources—especially time—and follow these tips and use these tools to create a win-win situation for your present and future ventures.
A personal website that has a solid online presence can increase your chances of winning more clients for your side gigs. It can serve as a professional platform that can showcase your skills and expertise.
Don’t know how to start? Domain.com offers everything from choosing a niche-specific domain name to setting up a professional email and building a website.
