Last Updated on February 11, 2022 by Taylor
Are you thinking you want to start a side hustle, but you’re not quite sure if you’re ready?
This post will help you decide if it’s time to make your move.
If you would have asked me five years ago what I thought my life would look like now, I can honestly tell you: starting a business was not on my radar. (In fact, it was so far off my radar, it was practically the Bermuda triangle).
So how did it happen?
Two years ago, I was sitting in my cubicle on the first day of a brand new job. I should have been thrilled for an exciting new adventure.
But even with the excitement of a career change and a life milestone, I still felt like something was missing.
Then, I made a discovery that felt like the stars aligned. I stumbled on a blog post that changed my perspective on what was possible.
It was my first ‘aha’ moment. It showed me that starting an online business wasn’t just some pipe dream, and that I didn’t need to be an already-rich entrepreneur or a marketing guru to make it happen.
Now, I run my online shop (SilverFire Books) and this blog full-time. And every day I’m glad I took the leap into entrepreneurship.
You can read more about what a typical day looks like for me here.
I wrote this post to help you figure out if you’re ready to start a side business. So let’s dive in.
Here’s how to know if you’re ready to start a side hustle:
1. You feel disenchanted by your job or career path
Look, there are always going to be days when your boss gets on your nerves, or something crappy happens at work.
But there’s a difference between that and feeling constantly unhappy with your job.
If you’re the kind of person that enjoys a challenge and you’re not getting it, you’re going to be bored.
If you think you could be happy if you just got a promotion, or found another job, then maybe that’s your next step.
But if something is telling you those changes won’t cut it, it might be time to go into business for yourself.
There’s a lot to learn when it comes to building a business, but for me, that’s one of the best parts. As a business owner, you might be many things, but bored probably won’t be one of them.
2. You feel like your life lacks purpose
Take a good, hard look at your life goals. Do you feel proud of what you’ve accomplished? Do you feel like you’re headed in the right direction?
When you imagine your future, what do you see?
Many people turn to entrepreneurship because they want to have a bigger impact than they’re able to at their corporate job.
Having a purpose, something to strive for, is necessary for happiness. And building something yourself from scratch: that’s some serious purpose right there.
3. You don’t like having limitations on your work or your income
One of the biggest perks (and toughest hurdles) of starting an online business: your income is dependent on you, and nobody else.
Not only that, but the work you do is entirely up to you. You decide the projects you’ll work on. You map out how to reach your goals.
If you’re sick of having no control over your work or your income, a side hustle might be exactly what you’re looking for.
That way, you’re building your business while still bringing in a steady income. There’s less risk involved.
4. You have an unfulfilled passion
This was one of the big reasons for me.
I never thought of myself as much of a creative person. But after years working in a very black and white, by-the-rules field, I was desperate for a creative outlet.
Do you have an interest or hobby you wish you could spend more time on?
Maybe you love to knit, paint, write, code, or something else entirely. Or maybe you’re still looking for a passion that fires you up.
Either way, creating a business allows you to harness and fine-tune those passions.
5. You’ve already thought about starting a side hustle
This one may seem obvious, but it may be the kick-in-the-pants you need.
If you’ve already thought about starting a side hustle, even if your plans are in the beginning stages, what’s holding you back?
Make a list of your road blocks, and figure out how you can eliminate them.
Because if you’ve made it this far, I’ve got news for you: you’re ready! And there’s never a better time to start than now. So get out there, follow your passion, and start a side hustle. One day (maybe even soon), it might become your full-time gig.
I can’t wait to see what you build!
