HOW TO COPE WITH THE DRAG OF A FULL TIME JOB AND A SIDE GIG (AND STILL HAVE A LIFE)

Being a serial entrepreneur is no longer new and so is having a side gig while running a full time job. Most of our parents did it, especially our mothers. They combined their government work with either a private work or a trade.

Like them, many of us have found ourselves running side gigs, either as a way to supplement our primary income or as a future contingency plan.

Unfortunately, some of us work for private firm that almost exchange your life for the salary they are paying you (or on the bright side, exchanging your skill for the salary).

We are not as fortunate as our folks in terms of having lots of time to deal with our side gigs which have become a necessary evil (or good).

This article is based on my personal experience of working as an administrative assistant in a production company, while running my fashion business.

Confession.

The first 6 months of my job was hectic. No. Beyond hectic.

Personally, I am someone who will quickly shove self-care in the back burner in the face of hard work (hello lack of mani-pedi).

Imagine adding a full time job to my already busy side business and freelance writing gig. Safe to say I was out of my elements.

The funny thing about self-care is that it affects every area of your life, you just don’t see it.

Realization.

It took me a while to realize that I was working hard and yet had nothing to show for it.

My financial life has a tendency to take the shape of my self-care.

This might not be you totally, but if you run a side gig with a full time business, you are more or less likely to be putting your “life” in the back burner.I have to say, that is so wrong.

As much as it seems perfectly right to leave the cart way back behind the horse (talk about priorities and the rest), it is absolutely necessary (yes, necessary) to bring the cart first once in a while.

Tiny steps (a few favorite things)

Between my love for sappy romance novels, movies (sappy romance, Marvel or DC. Yep.), red wine and tea, I pretty much have a few favorite things.

As easy as these things seem, indulging in them quickly faded off for me. You are probably giving up a few things right now (what are those things) because the hustle is real.

I hear you. Loud and clear but no, that is no going to work.

Finding the balance.

What did I do differently in the last 3 to 4 months?

I made a plan and stuck to it.

Not easy but totally worth it.

This is perhaps the easiest part, making the plan.

Sticking to it? Now that is a whole different sack of potatoes.

3 sure tips to sticking to the plan.

1. Get an accountability partner. Someone who will hold you responsible for both your work plan, businesses plan and leisure plan.
2. Get a flex partner to join you. It could be a movie buddy, a mani-pedi buddy, dinner date (platonic or otherwise)
3. Set realistic goals. Perhaps a mani-pedi a month (you can tell I love mani-pedis), 2 movies a month, a thorough hair appointment every month, 30 minutes tea or wine break every week. A book a month… etc.

Bonus tip: make that money count, plan a vacation at the end of the year and treat yourself.

Here you have it.

Ps: I have been 70% successful with my plan since I started. Fingers crossed I get to 100%.

Written By: Priscilla Omoruyi