The Pros & Cons of Having Both a 9 to 5 and Side Hustle

Today, multiple streams of income appear to be a necessity. The fastest way to create wealth is to earn more. A side hustle can be a great way to make money and pursue a passion; however, it takes time. Side hustles require a lot of time, focus, and energy. Having a side hustle on top of a full-time job can be draining, especially if the side hustle is demanding. Balancing both can undoubtedly have its pros and cons. Let's explore some of those options.

The Pros...

1. Provides opportunities to network and meet new people.

Having a side hustle allows you to network and meet new people. People you may not have met or connected with otherwise.

2. Can help you grow and further your knowledge with your regular job.

Having a side hustle and learning new ideas can help with facilitating your regular career job.

3. Tap into your passion.

Having a side hustle allows you to explore your passions and grow in them. Not only are you able to earn money, but you will do so with work you genuinely enjoy and are passionate about.

4. You may discover new skills.

A side hustle is filled with consistent growth, learning new things daily. With a side hustle, you will gain transferable skills that will be critical to your success.

The Cons....

1. Career neglect and other priorities.

Depending on how you're managing your time with a side hustle, if you’re not careful, it can spill over into other priorities and your full-time job, it is crucial to implement a work-life balance plan.

2. Adds stress and more to do.

Having a side hustle in addition to a full-time job can be an added stress. It can become overwhelming and very tedious. It also means less time for yourself.

3. Can start to feel more like work once successful and more demanding.

Balancing both isn’t easy. After a long day, a side hustle may be the last thing you want to do, even if it’s something you’re passionate about, especially if the industry is demanding.

4. Burn out.

Juggling a demanding full-time job along with a side hustle can result in a burn out if you’re not careful. This is where time management, task setting, and priority management is critical.

Having a side hustle is almost necessary for today's economy. While it provides an additional income, it also means sacrificing free time, which most people find almost impossible to do.

Do you currently have a side hustle, or have you considered it while working full time? If you haven’t, what's holding you back?

Article written by: Takiya Green, Owner of Divine Writing Solutions