Finding Balance: How to Create Alongside Your 9-5 Job
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Chapter 1: The Challenge of Balancing a Side Hustle
Creating alongside a 9-to-5 job is no small feat. It requires immense perseverance, patience, and self-discipline. Personally, I've spent two years refining my craft to the point where I can consistently juggle both. However, this past week, I hardly managed to write anything—let’s just overlook that for now.
Here’s what I’ve learned about maintaining creativity while working a full-time job: treat it as a marathon, not a sprint.
The initial weeks of trying to create alongside my job were chaotic. I would come home, toss my bag aside, and dive into the internet, attempting to figure out how to launch a website. My grand idea? Selling socks online. I repeated this cycle for weeks until I ultimately hit a wall.
Did I conduct adequate research? No. Was I aware if socks would actually sell online? Absolutely not. Fast forward four years, and here’s what that journey has led to.
Moving too quickly at the start can lead to burnout. It’s vital to establish a sustainable pace. Remember, this is a marathon—one that requires endurance.
Section 1.1: Incremental Progress and Reframing Goals
Everyone understands that you shouldn’t dive into a new workout routine by trying to go to the gym five times in your first week. Society generally agrees that you need to ease into new habits. You wouldn’t attempt to climb Mount Everest without a proper training plan to prepare you.
The same principle applies to creating alongside your job. However, a refreshing twist is that you should also reframe your mindset throughout this process. Consider these examples:
- Dedicating 20 minutes to your side project for the first time is a significant achievement.
- Completing two sessions by midweek deserves a small celebration.
- Ending the week on a high note means you've accomplished something worthwhile.
Every time you engage with your project, recognize it as a success. This positive spin can significantly boost your motivation.
Section 1.2: The Importance of Enjoyment
It’s often said that the key to consistent online creation is to find joy in what you do. In the early stages, especially during the first few years, you may find that few people are paying attention to your work.
This reality can be disheartening, but it’s something you must accept if you want to persist in this field. You might pour your heart into your online endeavors only to receive criticism or indifference.
Embracing fun is essential. If you genuinely enjoy the process, you’re already ahead. For example, today is Saturday; I’ve been working all week, and it’s now 7:25 AM. I wouldn’t be here writing if I didn’t love it.
Chapter 2: Embracing the Mundane
Sometimes, the act of creating can be mundane. You might feel like you’re reiterating the same concepts in various ways over the years until one version finally resonates.
Creating online can mirror the everyday drudgery we encounter—like standing in line at the grocery store or dealing with household chores. Expecting every moment to be exciting can lead to disappointment. Acknowledging that much of the process involves sitting at your computer daily, sharing your thoughts, is crucial.
Managing Your Energy Levels
A full workday can be exhausting, especially with a commute. Here’s a straightforward yet challenging approach to combat fatigue while committing to your creative pursuits:
- Dedicate one hour a day, three days a week, to your creative work.
- Create during your peak energy times.
- Stay hydrated.
- Nourish your body with healthy food.
- Incorporate exercise into your routine.
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This article serves informational purposes only and should not be considered as Financial or Legal Advice. Always consult a financial professional before making significant decisions.
The first video titled "10 TIPS ADJUSTING TO 9-5 LIFE" offers advice for those entering the workforce, sharing insights I wish I had known when I began my full-time job.
The second video, "I can't work a 9-5," explores the struggles of traditional work schedules and the quest for creative freedom.