Why it’s not about your 9-5, but how else you spend your time

Coming through the door after another day, another eight hours of my life selling my time for another pay check.

Everyone else in the office, coffee shop or retail store has been talking about their plans for the evening. Watch the latest series on Netflix, hit the pub again for after-work drinks, or simply tuck in for another night.

No, I can’t.

This is the first thought of any future entrepreneur.

If you work usual nine to five hours, and get eight hours of sleep, that only leaves you around a few hours each evening and on the weekends to do with your time what you really want to do.

I’ll admit, when I was a student, with huge holidays over the summer, I had all the time on my hands that meant I could really do whatever I wanted. But did I put it to good use? Of course not, because I always felt like I had more time.

But when everyday you only have a few hours to yourself, it’s time to embrace these restrictions and see it as an opportunity to maximise your time and your productivity.

The first step to any successful side hustle is to stop treating it as a hobby, and think of it as a second career. One day, it could become your main hustle.

If you currently have an office job that keeps you in a nine to five routine, think instead how you will discipline your nine to five routine and how you will dedicate your time to your side business.

By turning your mentality into that of a professional, your work will become more organised and effective. Objectives will become clearer and achieved more quickly.

So, what are you doing with your nine to five tonight? Let us know in the comments.

For some extra inspiration, enjoy this podcast about the side-hustle lifestyle from our friends at Design Cuts