By Mical Imbukwa
People too often trust their corporate careers to provide them financial security but don’t anticipate layoffs or potential setbacks. As much as optimism is important in the realization of goals, having an open mind on all subjects saves one unforeseen stress. Starting a side hustle is one way of keeping an open mind on matters employment.
As a woman, a side hustle is not just about putting extra cash in your pocket or supplementing your budget. It offers you the ability to decide. Women handle so much in the home and they therefore need to be in a space where they don’t feel boxed. Once you start side hustling, you’ll embrace a lifestyle that will be with you for a long time. So why really side hustle?
- IT IS EMPOWERING
There is no makeup as powerful as having multiple sources of income. It is just so empowering knowing that you have economic value outside of your day job or paycheck. Relying on salary alone is in many forms slavery. Many women find themselves on the wavelength of debt because salaries are never enough. Or they find themselves living within their means and unfortunately, there is some comfort associated with that. When people are comfortable living in their circumstances, opportunities for expansion are limited. Therefore, as a girlchild is empowered through education, more emphasis should be put on financial education. Making extra money never goes out of style.
2. ONE IS ABLE TO EXPLORE A PASSION OF THEIRS
That all of us have gifts that we can turn into revenue is not just a statement, but a fact. Imagine yourself earning income from an activity you really enjoy. How awesome can that be! Employment is great and it is infact the sole reason most people go to school, but there is a downside to it though. Most often than not, our academic qualifications block our minds from thinking outside the box. When we believe that our fulfillment will come when we get employment in particular fields. As a woman, you need to realize that the inheritance for your generation will not come from your job, but your work. Work is something that resides within you. You move with it wherever you go. You may loose your job but work will remain with you for it is a product of your gifts. So as you work and climb those corporate ladders, ensure you identify your gift and start something on the side for that is your retirement plan.
3. ONE IS ABLE TO LEARN OR EXERCISE A NEW SKILL
Employment comes with great responsibilities, that if care is not taken, people can lose themselves to their jobs. Some might even become shells of themselves. When you do something over and over and over, that becomes a definition of your life. Learning a new skill or exercising one that you already posses, is one way of jogging the mind. Through creating time in their busy schedules to learn baking, many women have launched their own bakeries and created employment for a number of people. Some thanks to their passion in music, have launched music schools. There is just so much one can do.
4. THE BURDEN OF DEBT IS LIFTED
On the journey of goals pursuit, all of us at one point or another run into debt. It could be as a result of a loan you took to finance your education or to offset a bill. When you are in debt, financial freedom is a near impossible dream. Relying on salary to repay the debt, means that you will be in slavery for a number of years. Starting a side hustle might hasten debt repayment and earn you financial freedom.
5. YOU CAN USE THE EXTRA MONEY TO BUILD WEALTH
What financial goals do you have? Have you set a timeline for their achievement? Definitely and without a doubt, immersing wealth is one of these goals. If you have a timeline for this, relying on salary is not practical. Wealthy people we see today never relied on salaries. They started side hustles that later became empires. Had Dr. Esther Muchemi not made a decision to quit her 16 years auditing career to set up a kiosk, Samchi Group would be nonexistent. Over 500 people working for her today would be jobless or they would be in valueless jobs.
You don’t have to take a risk of quitting your job like Dr. Esther. Start from where you are. As you start, think critically through your inspiration. What is the goal behind the side jig? Being clear on this will make it easier for you to utilize your free time to build your side hustle. Remember, it doesn’t take a lot of time to build a side gig. It’s like getting in shape. You don’t go to the gym for eight hours a day a couple of times and expect to see results. Instead, you commit 30 minutes a day, five days a week, for a few months. Find one thing to go all out on during that free time and don’t be destructed by other shiny objects like your phone or Netflix.
