Many of us nowadays are obtaining multiple jobs to earn extra income, follow our passion, or learn something new. Having a full-time job and several part-time jobs might make it feel like you’re always juggling assignments, deadlines, and expectations. The stress of doing well in both can very easily become overwhelming and leave you exhausted.
But here’s the good news: You can manage a full-time job and multiple side jobs without ruining your health. It requires planning, efficient use of your time, and being okay with not doing it all perfectly. In this blog, we’ll explore how you can balance your full-time job and side jobs while maintaining your health, energy, and sanity.
1. Know Your “Why” and Set Clear Goals
Prior to jumping into hustle culture, you should know why you are working on many projects. Is it to save for something, build a portfolio, or gain experience in a new area? Regardless of what it is, knowing the reason will keep you going and on track even when you feel worn out.
Once you know your clear purpose, establish specific and measurable goals for each of your enterprises. For example, if you’re a freelance writer, you might aim to write three articles a week. If you’re trying to start an online business, a goal could be to have 100 sales in the first month. By reducing your big dreams into small, attainable goals, you’ll experience a sense of achievement and momentum that can provide a motivational boost.
2. Master the Use of Your Time
Time management is likely the most vital skill in having several jobs. Without it, everything can collapse in no time.
a) Use a planner or computer calendar.
Whether you use a paper calendar or an electronic one, some method of planning out your day, week, and month is crucial. Write down your schedule for your full-time job, your side job schedule, and your own personal time — including breaks! Plan out your tasks in order of deadlines and in order of importance.
b) Block Time for Each Hustle
Time-blocking is the way you plan out your day by reserving certain times for certain activities. For example, if you work a 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. full-time job, you can commit to side projects the evening hours, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Save weekends or free time for bigger projects that demand your complete attention. This way you are not draining yourself as you are doing the work on each project at the right time.
c) Establish Boundaries
It’s tempting to allow side jobs to encroach on the time of your main job or personal life. Set firm boundaries. For example, don’t perform side job tasks or read emails for side jobs during 9-to-5 hours. Don’t let side jobs completely take over your weekends or evenings either, or you might find yourself stressed out.
3. Utilize Automation and Delegation
It’s simple to believe that you need to do everything by yourself, but there are tools and techniques that can make you work more efficiently and provide you with more time for critical tasks.
a) Automate Repetitive Tasks
Most side hustles contain tasks that are automatable. For instance, if you run an online business, software such as Shopify, Zapier, and Mailchimp can automate order processing, email marketing, and customer follow-up. If you are a freelancer, project management software such as Trello, Asana, or Monday.com can streamline communication, task assignment, and deadlines.
b) Outsource When Possible
If your part-time business has increased and needs more help, look to bring in outside help for particular tasks. Outsource office tasks to virtual assistants, website updates to freelance web designers, or bookkeepers to manage your finances. Websites like Fiverr, Upwork, and TaskRabbit provide an easy way to find talent at a low cost to help you with tasks that take up too much of your time.
4. Learn to Say No (and Put Your Health First)
It’s natural to get enthusiastic about fresh opportunities, but overcommitting oneself can result in burnout. Be aware of your boundaries and don’t be afraid to say no to projects that are not aligned with your vision or would put you too much on the run.
a) Prioritize activities that align with your objectives.
Rank side hustles based on your long-term objectives or what makes you happy. For example, if you want to be financially free, choose side hustles that make steady income instead of hobbies that have no income. If you want to build a personal brand, spend time developing content or connecting with new individuals.
b) Take Care of Your Health
Your health is not worth sacrificing for success and money in the workplace. Ensure that you get rest during the day, have enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and do things that can help you relax. A simple walk outside or meditation for a few minutes can work wonders to recharge your mind and energy levels.
5. Consolidate Your Hustles for Peak Efficiency
Instead of treating each hustle individually, seek out chances to overlap work or do projects that support each other. For example, if you manage the social media of multiple clients, recycle the content on your own brand or blog. Or, as a freelance writer, you might write on topics applicable to your own side hustles or business ideas, and get two for the price of one. Look for ways to promote your side jobs together. If you’re a photographer and a fitness trainer, for example, you can offer photo shoots for clients and use your fitness expertise to market the shoots to people who are interested in improving their health. You save time and make more of an impression by using both of your skills.
6. Celebrate small wins and change course when necessary
Juggling a full-time and several part-time jobs is a marathon, not a sprint. Celebrate the small wins — whether finishing an assignment, landing a new client, or meeting a sales goal — and use these as an opportunity to remind yourself to keep pushing forward. But also listen to when you are under stress and allow yourself time to relax.
Modify your objectives and calendar if necessary. Occasionally, unexpected things happen in life, and it does not go as planned. Don’t be too hard on yourself when you need to take a break, rest, or rethink your strategy.
Final Thoughts
Working a full-time job and several part-time jobs is highly fulfilling but needs careful planning, focus, and self-knowledge. With goal setting, time management, process automation, prioritization, and maintaining your health, you can fulfill the expectations of both jobs. Most importantly, be kind to yourself. No person can operate at full capacity 24/7, and knowing that recovery and rest are necessary in order to sustain long-term success is crucial so that you can continue to hustle without burning out. Keep in mind, the objective isn’t to do it all — it’s to prioritize what matters, working effectively and sustainably, so you can thrive in your primary job and side jobs.