5 Great Reasons to Start a Side Gig

A side business, or “side hustle” as they are affectionately called, is basically anything that you can do in your spare time to make some extra cash for yourself.

The beauty of a side business is that you’ll essentially take something that you already enjoy and are therefore already great at and use that as a means to generate a secondary revenue stream for your household.

Aside from the obvious benefit of making more money, here are 5 more reasons why you should consider taking your favorite hobbies to a more professional level.

1. Build a legacy and give your life purpose.

Studies have shown that people who feel like they have a purpose and direction in life tend to be happier and live longer. You can engage in business activities to solve a problem close to your heart. You can do more of what you enjoy, and it will light a fire inside you and give you a reason to get out of bed every morning. Fully show up to this thing called life! We all want that, right?

2. New people, networks and communities.

When you’re working on a project you’re excited about, you’re bound to meet like minded people who are just as passionate and willing to engage! It could be at a conference, a farmer’s market, or an online Facebook community. Interacting with like minded individuals on a continuing basis will make your life fuller and richer in the way that only human friendships and connections can. I have found so many kindred spirits this past year, even as an introvert.

3. Indulge in your passions.

When you have an extra income to supplement your household earnings, you’re more able to spend it on the things that you truly want to do, as opposed to the things that you have to do like paying bills and saving up for retirement. A side hustle will give you the means to treat yourself and others without any guilt. Can you imagine a life where that trip to Paris could become a reality? Can you imagine a life where the activities and experiences that you want for your kids don’t have to be sidelined? Wouldn’t it be great to be able to be more generous with your favorite charities in order to make a bigger impact?

4. Exercise your creativity.

For most of us, our main role in life demands more discipline and adherence to a pre-determined set of rules or traditions set in time. Even us unschoolers, when we have outside activities and classes or lessons. The high stakes nature of these roles can stifle our creativity a bit and leave us afraid to take risks, which are known to be good for growth and advancement in life. You can exercise your creative muscle by having a side business. You might even discover new talents you never knew you had!

5. Ease life’s transitions.

There can be a period of uncertainty when we transition from stage of our life into another. You may have a feeling of loss for example when facing retirement or an empty nest for parents. People often lose their sense of purpose when the main role around which they built their lives comes to a natural, or even abrupt, unexpected end. Having a side business that you control in its entirety will help you to feel grounded and more in control of your own life.

What would you do if you had more control over your time and finances? Do you believe in yourself and your gifts? What if you could find a way to share your gifts with others? What if that helped them and helped you? 

SOURCES

Research Study – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4725506/

Time Magazine – http://amp.timeinc.net/time/4903166/purpose-in-life-aging