By Jill McDonough
Being a homeschooling, side-hustling mom is a great adventure. We all want to be successful with our homeschools and with our side hustles.
However, the sad truth is that you can work very hard and only end up treading water with your business ventures.
Here are 10 tried-and-true rules for success as a side hustler:
1. Never put your side hustle before your kids’ education and your family.
Side hustles are fun, but they are also distracting. Don’t let your first job (of wife, mother, and teacher) fall by the wayside. You will regret it.
2. See your side hustle as “me time.”
When you choose your side hustle, pick something you want to do. That way, your side hustle will truly be “me time” as you work to achieve your goals. You will leave that time feeling fulfilled. On the reverse, if your side hustle always feels like drudgery, you will need to find a side hustle that fits you better.
3. Never take on side-hustle debt.
Start a side hustle you can begin through savings or that don’t require funds to begin. Provide a service with the tools you already have. Prove to yourself there is a market, and that you can service that market, before you take on any debt.
4. Don’t use a side hustle as an excuse to rationalize the purchase of something you’ve always wanted to own.
This is very easy to do. Think about your motive behind every purchase.
5. Don’t spend money the customer won’t see.
Before you spend money, always ask yourself, “Does this touch the customer?” Beautiful office supplies are fun, but they take away from your profits. Spend money where it makes a real difference to your customers—because without customers, you don’t really have a side hustle.
6. Follow a strict side-hustle schedule.
Figure out how many hours a week you want to work on your side hustle. Then figure out where those hours fit into your schedule. Two hours each day or 10 hours on the weekend?
If you have trouble finding time in your busy schedule, keep a log of how you spend your time. Write in 30 minute intervals what you do all day. You’ll be amazed at the time you spend with media or waiting in line. Thanks to smartphones, there is a lot of business that can be conducted while standing in line or watching TV.
Obviously, if there is a family crisis, that comes first. However, do try to focus on your side hustle remembering that you’re doing it for your family.
7. Outsource as many tasks as you can.
You can’t do it all. Are there some books your husband can read to the kids? What chores can your children do?
8. Only do what generates revenue.
While you may need to spend some time on administrative tasks, you don’t need fancy spreadsheets. Successful side-hustlers focus on two things: selling & working. If it doesn’t pay, put it away.
9. Always default to action.
Making plans is smart, but spend more time doing. The fun (and money) is in the doing, not the thinking.
10. As a believer in Jesus Christ, give your side hustle to the Lord.
This one is huge for me. I have had hustles flop because I rushed ahead without asking for wisdom from God.
The Bible says, “Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.” Proverbs 16:3. Before you get on your computer, get on your knees. Ask the Lord to help you with your side hustle and homeschool.
Homeschool mom! Ready to find the right side hustle for you?
See our constantly growing list of Side Hustles for the Homeschool Mom.