More and more South Africans are taking up a side hustle to supplement their income. In fact, according to Moneyweb, one in three South Africans is taking additional jobs to make it through the month.
Truth is, with the rising cost of living across the globe – and salaries that barely cover the essentials –an increasing number of people are engaging in side hustles to make a difference in their wallets. Yup, this awesome “gig” outside of your day job has turned into a way of life for many.
People start side hustles for different reasons. For some, it’s about earning extra money to fill the gaps, while for others, it’s a way to live their passion. Hey, even celebrities are jumping on the bandwagon (and they by no means need to pick up extra money)! Patti Labelle took her passion and turned it into profit with her line of Lady Marmalade marinades and sauces with sassy hot sauce names like “Hot Flash” and “Super Women”, while Lenny Kravitz launched an interior design firm. There’s even word that Her Majesty the Queen has her own sparkling wine gig on the side!
Fact is, the worst part of a nine-to-five job is that your financial growth is always capped. Is that really enough to live the life you dream about? Probably not. A side hustle is not just about overcoming economic uncertainty, it’s about empowering yourself, and that’s a wonderful thing.
So, how do you spend your evenings and weekends? For most of us it involves a lot of “wasted” time watching Netflix or browsing Pinterest. Why not monetize your hobby or your passion?
The good news is that a side hustle requires very little investment – if any – and need very little infrastructure to get off the ground. We’re thinking a weekend food truck, Skype tutoring, or renting out a spare room on Airbnb. If you’re interested in sports, you could make it your side hustle to teach others how to play the game. Or, maybe you could do with a bit more exercise? Consider dog walking as your side gig. Yes, some people are too busy to walk their own dogs!
The key to an awesome side hustle is to find something that you enjoy while still having the energy and flexibility to work your full-time job. Your goal should be to consistently crush your nine-to-five, to work as hard and as efficiently as you can to get more done, and to leave every evening without regret and without raising concerns about your dedication. Also, never take on side hustle debt. If you can’t find a side hustle without going into debt, search for another idea. See your side hustle as “me time” but always stick to a strict schedule. Hey, that’s why they call it a “side hustle”. You have to HUSTLE!
However, while the lure of an additional income is enticing, there’s also an underbelly of side hustling to be considered. Always be weary of the “always on” mentality. A side hustle could place great demands on your time and could bleed into several areas of life leaving you with limited time for family and friends.
So, are you considering turning your passion into profit?
Here’s to you and your increased income!
Source: www.entrepreneurmag.co.za, www.laurengreutman.com, www.wayup.com, www.iol.co.za, www.cosmopolitan.co.za, www.oberlo.co.za, www.forbes.com, www.getsmarter.com, www.cheatsheet.com, www.essence.com, www.discover.com, www.businessinsider.co.za, www.entrepreneur.com, www.inc.com, www.simplemost.com
