How to Transform Your Side Hustle from a Chore to a Joyful Journey
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Chapter 1: Embracing the Reality of Your Side Hustle
For the last 7 to 8 months, I have consistently produced a minimum of 20 articles each month, with December being an exception where I wrote only 18. Some months even saw me writing up to 27 articles. Alongside this, I’ve managed to continue my programming and digital art projects, already releasing several courses and planning over 15 more by year’s end.
Though writing has become a daily routine for me, I never considered myself a writer. My journal remains largely untouched, filled only with engineering concepts and philosophical reflections. My reading habits are similarly sparse; despite owning numerous research papers and subscriptions to various online platforms, I often skim through articles, only diving deeper when absolutely necessary. Novels? I possess several non-fiction works but no fiction—if it’s a story, I prefer the cinematic experience.
Despite the effort I put into writing, my earnings barely cover my subscriptions and internet costs. Most of my articles seem to go unnoticed, only garnering the occasional brief attention. So, why do I continue to write, and how can my experience help you turn your side hustle into something less burdensome?
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Chapter 2: Success Requires Patience
While some individuals achieve success swiftly—like last year's MWC winner who had never published on Medium—this is not the common experience. If you write consistently for six months, your results may improve, yet they likely won’t meet expectations. Initially, I received fewer than 500 views each month. Today, I average around 4,000, but that number has fluctuated, previously resting at about 1,500.
For many, 4,000 views may seem successful, but it feels underwhelming to most. My journey illustrates that the time required to assess success accurately is crucial. After 8 months of writing at least 20 articles per month, I’ve actually only devoted about 5 months of focused effort.
Five months is a brief period when evaluating long-term success. If you publish one article weekly for a year, you’ve only dedicated about 2 months of real effort. For me, I aim to assess my progress after 12 months of sustained effort, which translates into 18 months of human time if I maintain my writing pace.
Between now and then, I’m focusing solely on producing quality content. I believe that if I can maintain my output while enhancing the quality of my writing, I might achieve 8,000 views in the next 8 months.
Key Insight: Establishing a sufficient time frame allows you to eliminate distractions and focus on what truly matters in your business.
Chapter 3: Avoiding Shortcuts and Trends
I often delve into topics that may seem mundane and express them through my stream of consciousness. I write about what I care about because it’s easier for me to do so. I’ve attempted to create listicles—popularized by top writers as a way to boost views—but found it incredibly challenging. If I forced myself into that format, I’d struggle to produce more than two articles a month.
While some thrive on writing listicles, this method isn’t universally effective. Your side hustle is a journey of self-discovery, and unless you resonate with the advice you receive, shortcuts will likely prove unhelpful. Trends may lead you through a fluctuating cycle of highs and lows.
Key Insight: Especially in the beginning, engage with what genuinely interests you to maintain consistency. Steer clear of shortcuts that don’t align with your passions.
Chapter 4: Reframing Your Perspective
When I began writing in September 2020, it took nearly a year to establish a rhythm of producing 20 articles per month. Initially, I was trapped in a cycle of negative self-talk that limited my output to just 2-4 articles monthly. Statements like “this is too hard” and “no one will read this” became my narrative.
To counteract this, I started reframing my thoughts. Instead of succumbing to negativity, I’d remind myself: “I’m exhausted, but I’ll recharge tomorrow” or “Though my audience is small, the few who engage matter to me.” This practice helped me cultivate a more positive outlook on my work.
Key Insight: Whenever you feel despondent, introduce a hopeful thought to counteract negativity.
Chapter 5: Gradual Progression
I’ve previously discussed the importance of execution in achieving success, but it’s equally crucial to manage your energy effectively to avoid burnout.
Conclusion
To truly evaluate the value of your side hustle, adopt a long-term perspective of consistent effort. In the beginning, engage in whatever resonates with you to maintain daily participation. Ignore trends and shortcuts that don’t align with your interests. When negative thoughts arise, counter them with positivity. Adjust your goals gradually, starting small and increasing them over time.
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