6 Signs That 2018 Is The Perfect Time To Launch Your Side Hustle

Side gig, side hustle, it goes by many names, and maybe you’ve been considering getting into the game yourself. The average American with a side gig is putting close to $10,000 a year into their pockets for pursuing their passion on the side of a nine-five job, stay at home parenting, or being a full-time student.

I know because I am one of them. I have tried many side gigs through the years from signing companies up for Groupon-style ads to making hair ties and cute fabric pouches to selling nutritional supplements. I can report the hype is real – you actually can make real money in your spare time doing something you love.

So what are you waiting for? Here are six signs that 2018 is the perfect time to launch your side gig.

1. You are guilty of time wasting.

If you have time for Netflix binges, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, Snapchat, and whatever new social media app comes next, you have time to start a side gig. These side hustles are literally designed to fit into the side – the little gaps of time when you’re bored in the evenings, sitting in the school pick up line for 30 minutes, or on summer break. They will grow proportionally to how much time you devote, but just because you only have five hours a week to give, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start now.

2. An extra $200-$1000 a month would really enhance your lifestyle.

Some people are rolling in the dough and giving their spare hours each week for a few hundred bucks isn’t worth the exchange. If you’re reading this blog, that probably isn’t you. Give some thought to what an extra $200-1000 a month would change for you. What would you do with it? What are you willing to give up to get it? (ahem, endless scrolling on Instagram).

3. You have an idea.

Whether you’re intrigued by the face cream your friend Diane swears by, or are amazing at sewing and love making purses, or you are a whiz at repairing bikes out of your own garage – if you have an idea, you’re already ahead. Take the leap, you’ll figure it out as you go along.

4. The internet exists.

Hello – we live in an amazing time. You can market your products or services for FREE or very low cost on the internet, and there’s a million people out there telling you exactly how to do it (also for free or low cost). It has never ever been easier or cheaper to start a business, you just have to do the work. #blessed

5. You have a unique passion.

My partner, Stuart, studied mechanical engineering and always wanted to design cool cars – too bad the auto industry was crashing and having to get bailed out around the time we graduated and were looking for first jobs. Now he fixes and flips used cars for fun (and some sweet extra cash) from our garage. Do you have a unique passion or skill? How can you monetize it?

6. You’ve been planning on doing it “someday.”

Ok, this is the most important sign – and this is where I was this time last year. I was planning to launch my own coaching business “someday” after coaching for another business for several years. One day I asked myself what I was waiting for and realized the answer was nothing. So make 2018 the year you take the leap – you have nothing to lose!