Hi friend,
I can’t believe this is my 200th letter to you.
When I started side hustling at 24, I had no idea it would change my life.
At least to this degree.
That small decision became the reason I’m writing to you today, as a solopreneur who’s been her own boss for 5 years.
But of course, this life that looks so glamorous from the outside came with its fair share of lessons.
Here are 20 hard truths about side hustling that will make your journey easier… if you accept them.
1/ The hardest part is showing up.
Not the planning, the actual work, or the consistency.
Showing up.
Because your mind will try every trick to stop you before you start.
2/ You should stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.
It’s possible (and better) to side-hustle when you have a job.
Sure, it will take extra effort to find balance, and people will call it hustle culture.
But it’s the only way you can own your time one day.
3/ You can make life-changing money on the internet.
You can create products on Google Docs, upload them on Gumroad, and work with people across the world… all from your laptop. All you need is:
- A growth and abundance mindset
- The belief that if 1000s of people in the world can do it, so can you.
My Side Hustler Checklist is a result of exactly that.
4/ It’s a double-edged sword.
The benefits:
- A potential income stream
- New skills and opportunities
- Freedom to live life on your terms
The downside: burnout.
Which will visit even when you try to prevent it. But you’ll learn to manage it with time.
5/ The opportunities are endless.
I never imagined doing even 20% of what I do today.
What once felt impossible slowly becomes your new normal. And a standard, even.
Because now, the idea of me sitting in an office seems unfathomable🙈 And I work hard every day to avoid it.
6/ You’ve got to get in the way of luck.
Opportunities need your address. For them to find you, you have to:
- Stay open to trying new things
- Get out of your comfort zone
- Show up often enough to get lucky
7/ You’ve to take the boring way.
The results you’re looking for come from following an unsexy routine consistently.
Consistency ≠ Every single day
Just build a cadence you can depend on. Do the work even when it feels boring.
8/ Choose your own success metrics.
Because if you don’t, you will get lost in other people’s.
This is your chance to redefine what a successful life looks like to you.
Unlearn what you were programmed to think it was growing up.
9/ You’re not too late.
The best time to start is always today. Right now.
10/ The first few months will suck.
Don’t expect your side hustle to take off on day 1.
It takes time for EVERYONE.
Instead of getting upset about slow results (which aren't in your control), focus on what is. Learn and improve your craft.
Complaining doesn’t help. Identifying what’s working and what isn’t does.
11/ Be a doer, not a hater.
At the end of the day, there are two types of people in this world:
- Those who get inspired by the one’s winning and focus on their own journeys.
- Those who find flaws in, try to bring them down or disregard their work.
Try to be the former. That’s the only way you learn and grow.
12/ You don’t have to do this.
You can quit your 9–5 if you want to… or not.
No one thing is better than another. What matters is that you’re self-aware, living the life you want for yourself.
13/ You don’t need to be extraordinary.
Just helpful.
People pay people for skills that save them time and make their lives easier. There are 1 million ways in which you can be that person.
Don’t know what to start? Try video editing, Canva designing, building no-code sites, or mastering tools like ConvertKit and Zapier.
14/ Do the thing you love.
Not the thing you think is gonna make you money.
I see so many people getting into writing, but… they don’t even enjoy it?
You can write too. But like painting or music, it’s a creative skill. Do it because you love it, not because you want to be like XYZ on the internet.
15/ You already know the 'how'.
There’s no secret sauce. Chances are, you already know what you need to do. You’re just hunting for a shortcut that doesn’t exist.
Get out of your own way and take action, now.
16/ Trolls are inevitable.
Whether on the internet or in real life.
They’re a part of this journey.
Don’t give them power by explaining yourself. Ignore, move on. (This takes some work, but it’s worth it.)
17/ You don’t need to spend money to make money.
No matter how many internet gurus are trying to convince you otherwise.
Most tools that you require to make your first $100 are free. Use them.
18/ Don’t let the worst-case scenario stop you.
The worst thing that can happen?
You fail.
And that’s… okay. Don’t lose sleep over it. As long as you have the will, the WiFi, and your brain, you can bounce back from anything.
19/ Detach from the outcome early on.
When you treat everything as an experiment, you get less attached and have more fun.
This will only serve you.
It's 100% the reason I've been able to do what I do - I do all things for fun. Some ideas as an experiment workout, others do not.
20/ Clap when others win.
There’s enough for everyone. This attitude will open more doors for you than being a gatekeeper ever will. Show support!
Finally…
It’s been an amazing ride so far, and I’m so glad you’ve been a part of it.
🥂 Here’s to another 100 issues… and to you starting something that’s 100% yours.
Love,
N