You have thought about it. You might have even talked about it. You have seen other people do it. But for some reason, your side business is still just a notion. Does this sound familiar?
You’re not the only one who is waiting for the “perfect time” to start your side business, like when you have more money, time, and confidence. But here’s the truth: there is no such thing as the perfect timing. And the longer you wait, the harder it is to jump.
The difference between individuals who develop successful side hustles and those who don’t isn’t luck, talent, or timing. It’s doing something. Small, flawed, and often uncomfortable steps. That’s how all stories start.
This should be the wake-up call. This is the time to quit waiting and start moving.
The Myth of the Right Time
Believing that everything has to be in place before they can start is one of the largest mental hurdles people face:
- “I’ll start when I have more money saved up.”
- “I need to learn more before I can give anything.”
- “Maybe next month, when things settle down.”
The truth? Things never get better. Life is still busy, untidy, and full of surprises. Chris Guillebeau says in Side Hustle that one of the main reasons people do well with their side hustles is that they start them before they feel completely ready.
You won’t wake up one day and feel entirely ready, confident, and safe. You don’t feel that way until you do something.
Everyone Starts Out Without a Map
One of the most important things The $100 Startup says is that most successful businesspeople and hustlers didn’t have a clear plan. They worked things out as they went along. They didn’t have all the answers at first; they had an idea and were eager to try things out.
You don’t need:
- A degree in business
- A great pitch
- A logo that was made by a professional
- A business plan with 10 steps
You only need one thing: to start.
The Price of Waiting
We talk a lot about the dangers of starting something. But what are the risks of waiting?
- Someone else is making money every day you wait that you could have.
- Every week you put off is a week you could have grown, learned, and made progress.
- Every month you put off your ambitions is one month closer to losing your freedom.
People often think that things can go wrong more than they can go right.
Not doing anything costs money. And it’s usually more than the expense of making a few small blunders.
Begin with what you have and where you are.
Don’t let yourself believe that you have to “invest big” to get started. A lot of the successful side hustles in The $100 Startup started with less than $100, and some didn’t even have that. They only needed time and work.
Ask yourself:
- What do you already own that could make you money?
- Do you have good writing, organizing, translating, editing, or design skills?
- Do you have a smartphone, laptop, or camera?
- Access: Are you part of a local community, church, or school where you could offer services?
- What are you really interested in that other people might pay for?
You don’t have to change who you are. You just need to repackage what you already know and have in a way that solves a real problem for someone else.
Doing Things Makes Things Clearer
Many people believe they need clarity before action. In reality, it’s the action that brings clarity.
When you start something — even messy, even small — you begin to learn:
- What people want
- What you enjoy doing
- What you can charge
- What works and what doesn’t
That feedback is impossible to get from books, videos, or overthinking. You need to put something out into the world.
As Chris says in Side Hustle, the best side hustle is profitable and doable quickly. You don’t have to wait until everything is perfect. You just have to test something now.
Replace Perfection with Progress
Here’s a truth that might sting a bit: perfectionism is just procrastination in disguise.
- Waiting for the “perfect” version of your idea? You’ll never launch.
- Trying to create the perfect brand before you sell something? No one’s watching yet — you’re safe to experiment.
- Holding back because you’re afraid to fail? You’re failing slowly by staying still.
Replace perfection with progress.
Done is better than perfect. Launched is better than planned. Paid is better than polished.
A Challenge: Start in the Next 24 Hours
If you’ve read this far, you’re not here by accident. You’re ready — or at least ready enough — to take action. So here’s your simple challenge:
- Write down one skill, service, or product idea you can offer
- Write a 2-sentence offer (who it helps + what it does)
- Post it publicly — on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram
- Tell one friend directly and ask if they know someone who might need it
That’s it. No website. No LLC. No budget. Just one action to shift from thinking to doing.
The Best Time Was Yesterday — The Next Best Is Now
Think back to the goals you set 6 months ago. How different would your life be today if you had started then?
Now imagine 6 months from now — how different could your life be if you start today?
There’s no secret formula. No magic moment. No perfect timing. Just this: start now, with what you have, and improve as you go.
The hustle won’t start itself.