We all have things we’re good at. And then of course we all have things we’re absolutely positively NOT good at. And as you get older, you’re probably starting to get clearer and clearer on what those things are. I’m ALL about discovering your natural gifts and talents so that you can utilize them during this lifetime and NOT let them go to waste! One of my very favorite quotes is by Pablo Picasso.
“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”
If you’re on the fence about starting a side hustle, let this be your permission slip to TAKE THE LEAP! Believe me, we’re not over here asking you to quit your job or give us millions of dollars…. Side hustles are, in my opinion, the best way to get your feet wet and see what you like and what you don’t.
When I first started out on my side hustle journey I did A LOT of experimenting. I dog sat, I did social media posts for random businesses, I sold protein shakes, I flipped and resold stuff on Craigslist, I wrote resumes, I made ad-hoc Canva graphics, and about a million other things.
At that time in my life, I was miserable in my 9–5 and wanted to make a change. I’d always loved organizing and I was always that annoyingly super neat & tidy person. So I thought, why not? Let’s try home organizing. Obviously, I fell in love with it, and now here I am, 10 years later.
But the point here is that I. JUST. GOT. STARTED.
I had no idea if I was going to love being a pro organizer. Back in 2011, I had no intention of even going full-time with it. It was just a side hustle. A passion project. A hobby.
Whenever I explain side hustles, I always love to illustrate that juicy Venn diagram where what you’re really freaking good at meets what you can get PAID to do. That’s your sweet spot. Love cookie decorating and know a ton of neighbors in your hood that want fun cookies for birthdays, holidays, and celebrations? Boom- you have a side hustle. Love foolin’ around with the camera you randomly received as a gift a few years ago and have your cousin’s graduation coming up? Boom- ask to be their photographer and get your first gig on the books.
The opportunities with side hustles are endless.
I absolutely LOVE showing people that finding their natural superpowers AND utilizing those to make money = MAGIC. In my book, Pivoting with Purpose, I talk about that lightning-strike moment when it all comes together. Like if you’ve ever seen the first Harry Potter movie and he realizes that he can make magic happen. It’s SUCH an amazing feeling and I’m on a mission to make sure everyone I know can tap into it.
Think of what your own personal Venn diagram looks like. Make a list of all the things you love to do. Make a list of all the things you’re good at. Make a list of all the things that people ask you about constantly. I call these “the whispers” …. They’ve always been there, whispering in your ear. But now it’s time to actually LISTEN to them! These are like little arrow markers pointing to your purpose. Your zone of genius. Your superpower in life.
I’ve created a Side Hustle Mindset Manual with a few more powerful exercises for you… so if you’re interested, head to makeshthappen.biz to pick up your copy for FREE!
If you’re on the fence about starting a side hustle then you’ve probably DREAMED about making a living doing what you love. You’re probably on the quest to figure out what you’re MEANT to do in this lifetime. Or maybe the idea of your “dream job” just feels like a faraway illusion… not even a reality. Sometimes, it’s not so easy to figure these things out. Most people stay stuck…but you’re not like them, right? If you’re filling your brain with podcasts and books and on your path to maybe journaling, or meditation, or making mindset shifts- then you’re DEFINITELY not like the people that stay stuck.
When I first started out, I was just like you. I had tons of self-doubt and had no idea what or who I wanted to be “when I grew up.” I hadn’t learned that I absolutely love teaching, educating, and motivating others…. Even though those whispers were there all along. I mean hello, I was ALWAYS the teacher when I played School as a little girl and I’d even stay up late at night toiling away on creating little homework packets for my friends and planning the next day’s lesson.
Talk about commitment….
But when that lightning-strike moment came, at a leadership conference for the big Fortune 500 company I was working at, no less…. I decided to GO ALL IN. How did I go from scared and miserable corporate rat racer to doing what I absolutely LOVE every day? I decided to put all my insecurities, fears, and excuses aside. Moment by moment. And lean in.
It was the coolest thing in the world when I got my first paying home organization client. And my first paid speaking gig. And my first paid course sale. Like, wait what?! Do you mean what I’ve been told my WHOLE LIFE is WRONG?! To go to school, and get straight A’s, and go to college, and go into debt, and get a job, and collect a paycheck, and put my head down in a cubicle for 50 years, is actually NOT what we’re supposed to do as humans?
What a holy sht moment.
I want everyone in my circle, on my social media, at my events, in my DMs, and on my website to have that moment and realize they can GET PAID for doing what they love TOO.
Start turning your passion into profits. Stop sitting around thinking “I’m not good enough” or “No one will pay me for that.” Self-doubt gets you NOWHERE! Start NOW and get on your path to figuring out how to monetize your hobby and get that side hustle off the ground!