More full-time employees say they’ve taken on a freelance side hustle within the last year. And there’s no single reason people are deciding to start their own side hustle, according to our 2022 Job Market Compensation and Benefits Report. Some say they’ve taken on a freelance side hustle because their current compensation is inadequate, while others say these projects fuel their own passion-driven pursuits.
And while taking on new freelance projects may give full-timers a financial boost or a much-needed alternative creative outlet, taking on more work can also put a strain on one’s personal life and accelerate the potential for burnout.
Following are four ways you can find balance while taking on your own freelance side hustle.
1. CATEGORIZE YOUR PRIORITIES
Between meeting the demands of your full-time job and fulfilling the tasks required of a freelance side hustle, it is imperative that you are prioritizing your responsibilities in a way that sets you up for success.
One simple way to get started is to create a schedule for your day, week and even month, in which you set aside designated time for your freelance work. Whether you set aside hours or even specific days, this timeframe should remain firm and be centered around what needs the most time and attention. Give yourself prioritized deadlines and be realistic about when due dates can be met. By categorizing your “to-do’s” you’ll be able to block time out when it’s needed most to ensure that critical tasks stay on your radar and all deadlines are met.
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2. RESTRUCTURE YOUR WORKDAY
When taking on a freelance side hustle, it is important to restructure your working hours in a way that allows you to meet the demands of both jobs.
Depending on the requirements of your full-time job, taking on an extra side hustle may mean you need to start your workday earlier, block out a specific time mid-day, or dedicate specific hours in the evening for freelance work. Thinking outside the box of 9-5 when strategizing how to start a side hustle is crucial to ensure you’re able to make time for both your full-time role and your freelance work.
3. UTILIZE YOUR OFF-HOURS
Just as you prioritize your work hours, you must also prioritize your off-hours for personal downtime. As mentioned, taking on a freelance side hustle on top of your full-time work can lead to burnout if you’re not taking care of yourself and giving yourself adequate time to relax and recharge.
Just as you schedule your work priorities, planning a few weeks or months ahead and scheduling some dedicated downtime can help you stay on top of your work, while having personal plans to look forward to.
4. CREATE YOUR OWN TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Whether it be in your full-time job or your side hustle, setting boundaries with the individuals you work with will help you remain focused and balanced as you move throughout your assignments.
Setting boundaries around things such as communication times, hours worked, and being realistic about what freelance projects you can take on will allow you to be successful while juggling different roles. For example, if you prefer to work only until a certain time of day or if you wish not to be contacted on the weekends regarding work-related needs, make that clear to your freelance recruiter.
Being intentional about finding balance between your full-time job, your freelance side hustle and your own personal well-being can be extremely beneficial to your long-term professional growth and success.
Freelance projects can equip you with the ability to learn new skills, level up financially, and set you up with the tools you need if you were to want to launch your own endeavor in the future.
HOW TO START A SIDE HUSTLE
If you’re ready to start your own freelance side hustle, consider working with one of our specialized freelance recruiters. Our well-connected staffing professionals understand the nuances of finding freelance work tailored to your specific needs in the creative, marketing and technology space.
This post was updated on July 12, 2022.
