The Initial Thrill of a Side Job
Every side job begins with excitement, hope, and huge plans. You start, you work hard, and you learn. For a while, it feels like you’re making something important.
What happens when that thrill goes away? When things start to slow down? When your hustle stops being fun and starts to seem like work?
Every side hustler will have to answer this question at some point: “Is it still worth it?”
One of the most important talents for entrepreneurs is knowing whether to keep going, change direction, or give up. The idea isn’t just to keep going without thinking; it’s to change smartly.
Let’s look at how to decide if your side job is still worth your time, work, and attention.
First, What Made You Want to Do This Hustle?
Before you make a choice, think about why you wanted to do it in the first place. Was it:
- More money to pay bills or save?
- A way to see if an idea for a future business would work?
- A way to be creative outside of work?
- A way to be financially free?
That starting point is important since your life may have changed since then.
You could have reached your revenue goal. Maybe the market has moved. It’s possible that what used to excite you no longer does.
Knowing why you started helps you figure out what still matters and if your hustle is in line with it.
Are You Still Growing, Either in Terms of Money or as a Person?
Not every side job has to make a lot of money. But it should offer you something back, whether it’s money or anything else.
Think about this:
- Is this side job still making you money on a regular basis, or is it growing slowly over time?
- Am I learning new things or making valuable connections with it?
- Does it still feel like it has meaning, is thrilling, or helps you be creative?
If you answered yes to any of those, you should keep going, even if it means going slower.
But if the answer is no across the board, it’s time to stop and think.
What a Slump Is and What a Dead End Is
Slumps do happen. Every firm, even the most successful ones, has sluggish times, bad weeks, or times when they can’t come up with new ideas.
But a dead end is different. It’s when:
- You’ve tried a lot of different things, but nothing seems to work.
- The benefit is always less than the effort needed.
- You don’t like working on the hustle, even when you’re well-rested.
- Your life situation doesn’t allow you to do this kind of employment anymore.
Test Before You Decide
Try this if you’re not sure where you are:
Try something new for 30 to 60 days, such as a new pricing strategy, a new product, a new audience, or a change in how you promote. Keep a close eye on the findings.
If nothing changes and your motivation stays the same, it might not be a slump; it might be time to change direction or leave.
What Does It Cost Emotionally?
We generally judge side jobs by how much money and time they take. But the emotional cost is just as important.
Your work may be:
- Taking away your confidence
- Making your partnerships stressful
- Which can cause exhaustion or anger
Even when you’re doing your best, it makes you feel like you’re failing.
If this endeavor is hurting your mental health on a regular basis, it’s time to take a break.
In The $100 Startup, Chris Guillebeau reminds us that independence and significance are important for any small firm. If your hustle isn’t giving you either of those things anymore, it’s time to think again.
Know the Difference Between Pivoting and Quitting
When you quit, you leave for good. Changing your audience, offer, price, format, or platform is what pivoting entails.
Before you give up, ask yourself:
- Is there a better way to present this idea?
- Can I use the same talents to help a different kind of customer?
- Is there a simpler, more efficient way to give the same value?
- Is it possible to make this more sustainable by automating or outsourcing it?
Examples of Pivoting
Sometimes, all it takes is a simple change to make things better.
For instance:
- A freelancer who is bored of looking for clients can start selling digital templates instead.
- A side job walking dogs could grow into pet-sitting or dog training guides.
- A newsletter that isn’t getting much attention anymore could turn into a podcast or a private group.
The main idea stays the same, but the way it is delivered changes.
Don’t Let Pride Hold You Back
One of the hardest things about quitting or changing course is how it makes you feel about yourself.
Let’s be clear: quitting a hustle doesn’t mean you failed.
It means:
- You tried out an idea
- You learned from the market
- You got experience in the real world.
You’re clearing the way for something better.
Staying in something that doesn’t work anymore solely to make a point is a waste of time and energy.
In Side Hustle, Guillebeau talks about how important it is to test ideas quickly and move on if they don’t work. That rule still holds true, even if you’ve been on the road for months or years.
Questions to Help You Make a Decision
Please take a moment to answer these questions honestly:
- If I could start over today, would I pick this same job again?
- What aspect of this hustling still makes me happy?
- What would happen if I stopped for 30 days?
- Am I holding on because I’m scared, it’s a habit, or I’ve already spent a lot of money?
Your answers will help you decide what to do next.
If You Decide to Keep Going…
That’s excellent, but you need to make some changes. Don’t keep doing the same things and hoping for different outcomes.
- Make your aims clearer
- Cut back on what isn’t functioning
- Ask customers or peers for input
- Go back to your initial goal
- Take better care of your time and energy
You might need to give your hustle a new look instead of saying goodbye.
If You Decide to Walk Away…
Close it with intention. Here are some tips:
- Let your clients or audience know, if it’s relevant.
- Say thank you to the folks who helped you.
- Document what you learnt.
Even if it didn’t work out, be proud of what you built.
After that, take a break. Think about it. And when you’re ready, use what you’ve learnt to start something new.
You’re not beginning anew. You’re starting off smarter.
Final Thoughts
Your hustle should help you, not the other way around.
Side hustles are something you use. They are there to help you, not take over your life.
It’s alright to change your mind or let go if what you have doesn’t fit your life, ambitions, or values anymore. The idea was never to be busy all the time. The purpose was to be free.
Be truthful. Think ahead. And have faith that the space you make will be filled with something even better.