A side hustle can be an excellent way to get additional income, but a lot of the problems in setting up a side hustle tend to trip people up, with many of the mistakes stemming from unsavoury attitudes rather than the practicalities. Here are some of the key mistakes we tend to make in mind, rather than matter:  

Jumping in Without Any Plan 

We can get very excited about our ideas but fail to follow through because there are so many different strands. A lack of direction can lead to confusion and frustration down the line, but this is why a well-thought-out business plan is essential, as it can help guide decisions and measure progress.  

Trying to Do Everything Alone

Many side hustlers attempt to manage every aspect of the business themselves, but this soon leads to burnout. It's so important to seek help, whether it's through outsourcing tasks or using the right type of tools. There's a wealth of business intelligence software and resources out there that can give you excellent insights into your analytics. The tough part of running any business all by ourselves is that we seldom see the wood for the trees, which is why having those insights can make a huge difference.  

Neglecting the Finances

We can spend a lot of time being so focused on running a business that we neglect proper tracking of income and expenditure. If we don't keep track of these things, we can overspend or be in for a massive shock when it comes to our taxes! If you really cannot keep detailed financial records and budget appropriately, it's either time to learn, get a piece of software that makes things easier, or, if you want the human touch, get an accountant.  

Perfection Isn’t Necessary

So many people think that they need to get everything perfect before they start up, but this means delayed entry into the market and becomes a very detrimental mindset. At the very beginning, we can launch with a minimum viable service or product, as this can give us some real feedback to improve on over time.  

Seeking Approval  

If we are constantly looking for validation before we pursue something, this doesn't just hinder our decision-making capabilities but can stifle creativity. We should take risks but absolutely need to be more creative as well.  

Not Looking After Ourselves

Self-care is one thing that can go out the window pretty quickly because running a side hustle can often blur the boundaries between our work and our lives. We always need to prioritise our well-being through simple things such as allowing time for rest, fuelling ourselves adequately, and setting boundaries.  

We must remember that a side hustle needs to stay on the side, and if you experience the “creep” that can occur, you've got to reassess your priorities. When you start to recognise these common mistakes, you can better prepare yourself to navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship. A side hustle is an excellent way to test your mettle, but don't let it take over your life until it becomes a winning endeavour.  

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