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Most of us get forced into an unfair compromise between our work and life balance. Our jobs end up dominating our lifestyle and consuming us. 

You shouldn’t have to “make time” for the activities you love. Those who get blessed with a job in their zone of passion aren’t “lucky”—they’re smart. Why? Because they’ve realized that everyone can forge their own path. You can make a foray into a career you’d prefer. The key lies in creating a sidehustle, expanding it, and transitioning it into your full-time job. 

I know—it sounds too easy, too simple, or too good to be true. Unfortunately, that’s why so many people never explore the option of starting a side business. More specifically, one or more of these three myths will hold them back.

1. “Starting a Business is Tedious”

Life is already busy enough for most professionals. This is especially the case for aspiring entrepreneurs; let’s just say that folks like you are more “driven” than the average bear.

Between work, family, friends, and more, you’re probably already wishing for more hours a day. Adding an entire side-business seems like a recipe for disaster. It’d simply stretch you too thin. The time needed to start a new gig and build momentum can’t detract from your current home and work responsibilities. It seems impossible to figure out how you can carve out a schedule to make it happen.

If I sound like I’m talking about you, it’s because I am. I used to be in that same place. Let’s just say I regret every moment I spent thinking that way. It might be tedious at the get-go, sure, but you’ll actually end up saving hours upon hours.

Side businesses do take time and effort to make, don’t get me wrong. But if you set it up to succeed, the heavy lifting will only be temporary. A good business model will mean you can essentially put things on autopilot and make money while you sleep.

That means achieving a work-life balance, implementing passive revenue streams, and achieving much more freedom. The sacrifice will pay off, and you’ll end up freeing up much more time than it takes to get everything rocking and rolling.

2. “Starting a Business is Expensive”

Starting a business can definitely be expensive, depending on how you do it, and chances are you’ve tried in the past. Learning the hard way is never fun, which is why I’m always trying to lend a helping hand. I’ve fallen flat on my face a few times, believe me. Trial and error are all part of the process. Don’t be too hard on yourself, and definitely don’t sell yourself short.

Investing hard-earned capital into a side gig might seem like something you can’t fit into your budget right now. Maybe you’re already stretched tight or can’t take on another expenditure. Spending money to make money is hard to justify when you’re balancing the books. Plus entering a new venture can be intimidating, especially if you feel you don’t have the finances to back it up.

But taking financial risk is the name of the game. Every business started somewhere. Just look at the definition of “Entrepreneur.” It’s defined as, “A person who organizes and operates a business or businesses, taking on greater than normal financial risks in order to do so.”

If the risk offers a reward, it’s worth it. And you can ensure your business succeeds if you implement the right systems, processes, and so on. That’s what I’m here for.

3. “Starting a Business ‘Takes a Village’”

It’s easy to get lost when you’re the trailblazer. Oftentimes, entrepreneurs are told to assemble a team to help them navigate the difficult terrain of starting a business. Naturally, many fall under the guise that a business can’t be started alone—that it “takes a village.”

Real-world experience supports that point, too. Administrative tasks pile up and slow us down before we make headway. By the time we get to focus on the projects we feel passionately about, we’re burnt out from all the low-level stuff. That’s why it’s true that it’s definitely easier to build a side gig with help.  Putting in all that time and energy without having a solid team just isn’t going to bring the same results. 

But you can get the best of both worlds by outsourcing instead of paying for an entire in-house team. There are tons of affordable, temporary team members out there. They can help you fuel your vision at a price that won’t stretch your wallet thin or require strings attached. It doesn’t take a village, after all—it just takes resourcefulness.

What’re You Waiting For?

Side hustles are a great way to get comfortable with the idea of starting your own business. You might not have a grand plan ready to go, but overcoming these three myths is a good place to start. 

Maybe you’re not sure what kind of business you want to pursue, just that you want to be an entrepreneur. Perhaps you don’t know whether you even want to turn this into a full-time gig. No matter what, don’t let fear or uncertainty stop you from pursuing your dreams! You will be happier and more successful in life if you do what makes YOU happy!