The Ultimate Checklist To See If a Side Hustle Should Be In Your Future

Starting a side hustle is a big decision to make for yourself and your career. And it’s not always clear to us if going all-in on our part-time dream is a good thing or not. There are so many factors to be considered and many obstacles to figure out before diving in. For example, will a side hustle really stick? Is it really for me? How will I navigate this around my already busy schedule? Would I be a good business owner?

Being on the fence of starting a part-time business or not is extremely common. And I think it’s a place most of us start out at when the idea of a side hustle pops into our mind. We want to be sure that the decision is right for us, our personalities, our current lifestyle and our day-to-day schedule. The last thing that we want is to commit to something that doesn’t feel right or in alignment with our personal and professional goals. So if you’re curious about starting a side hustle for yourself but aren’t fully convinced you should, here are 7 clear signs that a side hustle is right for you.

01. YOU HAVE A MULTI-PASSIONATE PERSONALITY

One thing alone has never peaked your interest. You have always been curious about multiple things at once and how you can do multiple things at once. Maybe you enjoy using both your left and right hand side of the brain and find yourself interested in creative activities on top of education or scholastic topics.

And perhaps you’ve seen your multiple passions at work in other areas of your life like school or diving into the golden question of “what do I want to be when I grow up?”. Choosing an area of study and pinpointing a career path has always been difficult because you like the idea of keeping opportunities open, growing into new skill sets and challenging different parts of your creativity, your thinking and yourself.

If this describes you, then a side hustle could be your perfect match. Side hustling allows you to explore niche business models and fulfill a career desire just as you see fit. Having a side hustle on top of your current lifestyle, in general, could feel beneficial to you because it will pack those different passions of yours into one day. And the best part, side hustles are part-time businesses. So when the time and financial factors are right, who’s to stop you from creating a second side hustle based on another passion of yours?

02. you are a go-getter

Side hustling can require a bit of elbow grease. Especially at the beginning when you are in the building and in the creation phase of starting your business. But this doesn’t scare you away. You are a natural go-getter and having a business of your own, doing something you love and making a side salary you love keeps you energized and goal-oriented.

You believe that opportunities aren’t going to make themselves so you’ve always been good about taking matters into your own hands and building the life you want. This personality is valuable with any entrepreneurial journey. However, being a go-getter when it comes to side hustling can pay off even more. With an already limited schedule, you make the most of your time and keep your eyes on the prize.

03. You believe a routine can rule it all

You value a daily and weekly routine. Having a routine is how you’re able to fit in everything that you need to get done. Plus it’s always a little nice to have order in what sometimes feels like your chaotic life. You see the importance of staying organized and in front of what needs to get done instead of being reactionary. And the idea of staying organized and creating a routine for yourself feels good. It makes you feel responsible and in charge of making the most out of your day and life.

If you are all in on your part-time dream and you’re a routine lover, or if you want to be a routine lover, explore Design My Day. This is perfect any side hustler figuring out how to do it all, get great sleep and get the most out of their business and life.

04. you understand the importance of multiple income streams

Side hustling would be a wonderful fit for you if you enjoy security over your finances. Often times when we think of side hustles, we think of spending more money to make more money. Or “a little bit of income” on the side. But what if we thought and built our businesses differently? Side hustling can provide amazing financial security that you can control. There is no salary cap for side hustles.

The idea of having regular income after your business is established can be exciting and also reassuring. You believe in always having a backup plan for finances flowing to your bank account no matter what. And side hustling can be a wonderful insurance policy to have when it comes to that.

05. you can benefit from additional income

A little more obvious but if you can benefit from additional income or if you need additional income, then side hustling could definitely be for you! Sometimes additional income isn’t a readily quick option with our current job or the increase of income over time doesn’t satisfy. According to indeed.com, an average salary raise is 3-5% each year based on performance and without any significant role change or promotion. So if you want to raise your overall household income by something like $30,000 a year, side hustling could be your perfect match.

And if you aren’t employed full time, if you are a student or if you work within your home, side hustling can be a great and flexible way to earn significant money on the side for an unlimited number of reasons.

06. you don’t 100% feel fulfilled with your current job or lifestyle

This may not be true for everyone. Many side hustlers love their full-time job and aren’t even looking to take their own business full time. They enjoy two paychecks, they enjoy doing what they love and their side hustle is just a bonus in that.

However, if you aren’t 100% fulfilled with your current job or your current lifestyle, then starting a side hustle could be a great outlet and also a great opportunity to dabble in entrepreneurship to see if it’s for you. A side hustle can often feel very rewarding as well during times or not loving your full-time job. Having a business baby to think about during the day when you are in meeting after meeting can bring you a sense of peace and can even alleviate any dislike or frustration from your current role. Oftentimes, this is seen in the corporate setting with younger generations wanting to explore creative careers. And if I just described you, send me an email and share your story. Boy oh boy do we have a few things in common!

07. you have a specific skill set

And lastly, if you possess a specific skill set, then a side hustle could very well be right for you. This is the fun part, nothing is off the table! If you are a master at writing greeting cards, giving motivational speeches, organizing book clubs or planning the perfect meal course throughout the week to give your body energy and make dinners easy; then consider turning this passion into a side hustle.

Often times it’s our family and friends that point out our talents for us. We are sometimes too close to the project to see them for ourselves. And since our skill set is based in our passion, we sometimes have a harder time believing that we could even charge for doing what we love. No one will pay for us to do what comes naturally to us, right? Wrong!

I believe everyone possesses a skill set that is their gift to not just themselves, but to the world. And although not everyone should turn it into a business for the sole purpose to get money, you should consider starting a side hustle (if it’s right for you) to share this gift with others and bless yourself in return.

so is a side hustle right for you?

If you checked yes to any of the statements above, then a side hustle might just be for you. And if you checked yes on every statement, then a side hustle is absolutely for you! How exciting! Starting a business is a big step, but it doesn’t have to be a scary one. That’s another beauty about having a part-time business. Although you’re committed to a business, it’s not your full-time job and may not even be your only source of income. So there is beautiful wiggle room and space to learn along the way.

I love the idea of side hustles and what they do for other people’s lives. Side hustles have completely changed my life from getting me out of my corporate, windowless office to buying my first home. And so if you’re considering starting your side hustle, I would love to offer any assistance!

Check out my 97 Ideas For Your Next Side Hustle. This is a completely free download of amazing, niche and exciting ideas- all perfectly tailored for a side hustle experience!

And if you have your side hustle idea already locked and loaded and you’re ready to just dive in, then let me help with that too! My Side Hustler Starter Kit is a 6-workbook bundle that is created for the aspiring side hustler with an idea who is ready to go. This bundle walks you through creating your business plan, your hustler work schedule, branding, pricing and more!