After publishing Why You Need a Career Independence Plan Before the Next Layoff Hits on the 4th of July, I received quite a few comments from readers. One of the most common questions was:
“Your message resonates deeply with me—but how can I find time for a side hustle? Between my job, family commitments (kids, spouse, aging parents), and basic self-care, I barely have time left for myself. How can I possibly build something extra?”
I completely get it.
I live the classic “sandwich life”: as an only child, I have the responsibility of caring for my aging parents, while simultaneously serving as the unofficial Uber driver for my kids—shuttling them between basketball practices, games, dance lessons, and countless other activities.
Sound familiar?
On top of family and work, I also have many interests. I love creating new projects, hanging out with friends, traveling, and generally trying to enjoy life to the fullest. I have to admit, juggling all these responsibilities and desires can feel overwhelming at times.
I won’t pretend that I have a perfect solution, but I’ve learned a few strategies along the way that might help you:
I limit social media to multitasking moments only.
I was shocked when I first checked how much time I spent scrolling on social media (X, LinkedIn, YouTube). It was easily over an hour a day—time I could have invested in a side hustle. Now, I only allow myself to access social media while multitasking: exercising, standing in line, or commuting via bus, train, or Uber. I don’t dedicate separate time to social media. Instead, it becomes the byproduct of something else I’m already doing.
Try this exercise: check how many hours you’ve spent on social media over the past week or month. You might be surprised at how quickly those hours add up—hours you could spend building something profitable.
I turned my car into a mobile office.
I set up a makeshift office in my car. Using a $20 steering wheel desk, I can get meaningful work done while waiting at my kids’ practices or lessons. I also carry an Anker battery pack to keep my laptop charged (the largest capacity allowed on airlines) and a battery-powered lamp—crucial for those early-dark Seattle winters days.
This setup transforms those waiting periods from wasted downtime into highly productive moments.
I keep a simple, accessible to-do list.
I keep all my tasks and ideas in Google Keep. If I have even five or ten spare minutes, I quickly tackle something small. It’s amazing how much you can accomplish by just focusing intensely on completing one small task at a time. Additionally, whenever inspiration strikes, I jot ideas down immediately—this clears my mind, so I’m never distracted by trying to remember a sudden idea.
I commit to “30-Day Experiments” to kickstart projects.
When I’m starting a new project, I challenge myself with a 30-day experiment: for 30 days straight, I commit to spending just one hour per day working on my new idea.
In fact, this is exactly what I ask from people enrolled in my “Your $3000 Side Hustle Income” program. If you can dedicate just one focused hour per day, five days a week (I don’t even ask you to work weekends!), you can quickly earn your first $3K from your side hustle. This not only pays back the course tuition—it also sets you on a path to consistent, recurring income.
Finally, I manage energy, not just time.
Instead of merely managing time, I focus on managing my energy. Regular exercise is crucial for me. I noticed that sitting all day makes me tired and less productive. To combat this, I exercise for at least an hour daily—combining Zone 2 training, HIIT, strength training, and stretching. Every workout boosts my energy and productivity so much that I get at least two extra productive hours each day.
Trading one hour of exercise for two additional hours of productivity seems like a pretty great deal to me.
If you relate to my busy life but still dream of creating your own side hustle, give these strategies a try. Let me know what’s worked for you—or what other techniques you’ve discovered to squeeze more productive hours into your day.