Do the Hustle!

Who's not looking for a gig on the side these days, right? Well, I'm here to motivate you to get your hustle on, if you haven't found one already. And, just as importantly, if you have found a hustle that works for you, please share your comments and insights. In other words, share the knowledge, which is your real power.

Square Biz?
My husband Charles and I have been talking for years about finding a "family business," something that we can do from home and then hopefully retire comfortably into once we're done with our full-time jobs. We're both in the education field, so we technically have the summers off, although we're often wrapped up in side projects and other means of keeping the summertime income flowing. The challenge for us has been finding that middle ground between our shared interests--passions, really--and skill sets. I'm definitely the driving force behind this ultimate plan. I call myself the consummate entrepreneur.

Narrowing the Playing Field
Going beyond the 9-to-5 is elementary for me. My passions keep me on the more creative side of the work force. And I've been working my little side jobs since at least my early 20s when I realized I'd need some extra cash in order to finance little luxuries like attending grad school and, later, keeping my studio apartment. I've had success as a certified personal trainer (keep that one to yourself), freelance writer and editor, novel editor, fact checker, online editor, decorator and copy writer.

Oddly enough, the challenge for me has always been to simplify--to find that one hobby, that one talent, that I can focus upon completely so that I can build my little empire in the sun. Admittedly, over the years, as I've gone from single to married to the mother of one, to the mother of three, my motivations have changed. These days, I'd be satisfied with knowing that I'm helping to soften the blow of possibly hefty college bills (three in at one time) and a retirement that may not have the benefit of social security. But enough about me. Now, it's your turn...

A Three-Fold Solution
Are you ready to "do the hustle" for yourself? You can start out by taking an inventory of your talents, interests and hobbies. Try this simple technique: Take a clean sheet of paper and divide it into three columns with the headings "Talent," Interest" and "Hobby." Now fold the sheet, accordion style, along those column lines; that will just allow you to look exclusively at each topic.

You're going to tackle this list in two basic steps. Step One is to brainstorm, meaning to quickly jot down whatever you feel falls under each of those columns. More specifically, what are your special talents? Are you a writer, singer, painter, musician? Whatever fits should go under the "Talent" column. Next, consider the various areas where you have interests, even if you haven't pursued them fully. Do you like gardening, even though you have more of a window flower box than a garden? Are you good at bringing groups of people together? You can write down your areas of interest and when you come back to them later, just add what you would need to do in order to make that interest a talent and area of expertise. Finally, there are the hobbies, which can almost speak for themselves. Are you an avid cyclist or hiker? Do you love bowling at midnight? Again, whatever it is, as inconsequential as it may sound, write it down under "Hobby." You're on a roll now. And just in time. It's finally time for Step Two.

So, since Step One was the brainstorming stage, you can consider Step Two your reflective phase. It starts with you. Are there any connections between the three columns? Write them down. Are there entries that ignite your passion as you read them over, making your heart beat a little faster? Take your time with each column and choose the top one or two entries that you think best represent who you are and what you want to do. You've probably heard it before: What would you do for free because you enjoy it so much? (It was the creative arts for me--things like writing and creating.) Once you feel like you've covered all three columns well, make sure you add in the training or research it would require to fulfill the item(s) in Column 2/"Interests." That's your first area of research.

Now, here's where I'd like to suggest an optional Step Three. That would involve sharing the top choices from your columns and reflections with at least two persons whom you trust. It might be your soulmate, it might be your classmate, just make sure you choose someone who can be trusted with your vision and your dream. What does s/he think of your choices? Do they jibe with what s/he knows of you? Ask him/her to brainstorm with you on how to take your lists to the next level. Finally, go for it!

Well now I've said my peace, so I'll just hand over the writing to you for a while. Enjoy! And, please, remember to share what you've discovered and accomplished with me and others.

Ever dreaming,
Regina