Hi friend,
We’re officially 1 month into 2026. How’s your progress been so far?
If you’re still on the fence about starting a side hustle, it’s time for a reality check.
We live in a society that celebrates the conventional career path. And building a side hustle is like a secret mission.
The world isn’t designed to help you break free.
The system keeps you comfortable, not fulfilled.
When you take any action that goes against the grain, people will raise their eyebrows.
I’ve been there. My side hustle helped me quit my 9–5 and create a life I’m genuinely proud of. But that didn’t happen overnight.
It took years of showing up, figuring things out, and battling the mental blocks that make most people quit.
If you’ve started or are about to start your own side hustle, you’ll run into these, too.
1/ Am I Too Late?
You’re not.
Sure, more people talk about side hustles and online work now than ever before, especially after COVID.
But look around you in real life.
How many people know about personal branding? LinkedIn? Building infoproducts? Freelancing? Or how to monetise a skill online?
Chances are, very few.
And even those who are aware rarely take action.
So, you’re not late. If you’re in it to:
- Take control of your financial future
- Have an impact beyond your day job
- Create options for yourself
- Build something that’s 100% yours
You’re not late. You’re right on time, on your own journey.
The internet is still growing. Opportunities are still endless. And the best time to start is always now.
2/ If I’m Passionate, It Should Feel Easy, Right?
Not quite. It won’t.
Being passionate doesn’t magically erase the grunt work that comes with building something of your own.
You’ll still have to do the research, send the emails, and take on unglamorous gigs. You’ll still face rejection (sometimes a lot of it).
I had those days too, initially.
When I was side hustling alongside my 9–5,
- I took projects that didn’t excite me at all, for the money.
- Multiple times a week, I faced rejection after rejection.
- There was a 45-day stretch when not a single publication accepted my work.
It was discouraging, but it made me resilient.
Because now I know, over time, you get the privilege of choice.
The freedom to pick what you love.
But you earn that by persisting through the hard parts first.
3/ When Does The Money Show Up?
Your side hustle isn’t going to take off from day one.
Because it takes time to:
- Build credibility in a market
- Stack proof of skill
- Show up against the odds, month after month
Plus, why do we have a 5 and 10-year strategy in our corporate career, but expect our side-hustles to pay off quickly and instantly?
Not fair.
In the beginning, your goal shouldn't even be money…
It should be momentum. Reps.
So many people complain about not getting clients, only to share that they’ve got 5 articles under their belt. 5 articles don’t make a portfolio. 50 do.
The money always follows effort.
Like the quote from a Bollywood movie called 3 Idiots,
Follow excellence, and success will come after you!
So what’s next?
Here’s what to do when you’ve overcome these mental blocks:
- Develop a skill and practice it every day. Get really good.
- Post online. Share your work and progress on a platform where others can find you. LinkedIn is the easiest place to start.
- Monetise your skill once you’re confident in it.
- Build a solid portfolio. It’s your proof of credibility. Your portfolio will get you opportunities that your resume can’t even reach.
- Most importantly, develop resilience and a thick skin.
Push through the rejections, but improve with every single one. Never let rejection stop you from showing up daily and staying on track.
“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” — Zig Ziglar
Finally
Five years ago, I couldn’t have imagined the life I live today.
- Working with and teaching great people across the world
- Having slow mornings
- 3-hour workdays
- No income cap
- The freedom to do what I love without anyone’s permission
But it’s my reality now, and building my side hustle made it happen.
My story isn’t a humblebrag...it’s a reminder that if you stay consistent and curious, things will click.
So start. Stay with it long enough for it to work.
Because it will.
Love,
N