Should I Start a Side-Business?
Summary
Each of us ask the question at the beginning: Should I start a side-business? It makes sense. We’re busy. We have a limited amount of time and resources.
In this episode, I share 3 areas that could be considered before starting a new venture. These 3 areas include your:
Purpose
Schedule
History
Helpful Resources
Here are some helpful resources mentioned in today’s episode.
Quote: “Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.” ~Helen Keller
The “I Can” List
I can start meaningful and profitable side-business.
I can provide a better future for my family and myself.
I can learn and develop the skills I need to succeed.
I can commit to working on my idea for a definite length of time.
Show Notes
Should you start a side business? It’s a foundational question that needs to be considered because of priorities and the season of life you’re in. It’s also a question to ask your spouse because nothing will stop you faster than not being on the same page with your spouse.
I count myself to be blessed because my wife Jenny has been by my side through all my adventures, and we’ve done them together: vocational ministry, business, and career. A spouse support can supercharge you or drain you and you want to do what’s best for your marriage and family.
So to answer the question: Should you start a side business? I think its wise to consider at least three areas. Now, keep in mind, this precedes selecting a business idea, building a website, etc. All of that is exciting, but this is heart-work, self-awareness, inward reflection. I’m a firm believer that the best way to succeed is to work in a fashion that is true to who we are and where we are.
Consider the following three areas before you and the question. Your:
1. Purpose
What is your motive, your reason for starting a business? I’m not talking about your overall purpose in life, I’m simply talking about your desire to start a business. Is it your family? Children? Financial well-being? A way to share your message? Your passion? Maybe you have difficulty in selection one purpose, that’s okay. Just be clear on your purpose.
For me, it’s my family and future generations, I want to provide well for them, I want to inspire them too. It’s also an expression of interests: I love serving others through business. In fact, I often say: I inspire and empower others to be more and do more.
So what’s your purpose? Or purposes? You may want to write down your answers to clarify and declare what they may be. If you go to sidebusinessschool. Com you can download the 1-page Business pLan which is a list of self-coaching questions that will help you do some of this internal work. It’s important because you want to start a business that aligns with who God created you to be and with your current season in life.
Getting clear on your purpose has many benefits. It will provide fuel for your journey and help you avoid quitting. It will help you accomplish more, And it will bring greater results.
I’m sure you can pick up on this, but I’m not an advocate for starting a business to just just get rich and stroke the ego. Money is vital for a business and we can do a lot of good with it. In fact, it’s necessary. Zig Ziglar said, “Money isn’t everything, but rates right up there with oxygen. You need it to survive.” I like that.
Let’s build a profitable business for all the right reasons: to bless our families and others.
2. Schedule
This is so important and something I struggled with years ago. As I was learning about business I was learning from others who were further down the path. They didn’t have young children at home and so there capacity to do things looked much different than mine.
If someone is growing business after their children are out of the home, their schedule and energy level is going to be much different than the mom who’s trying to raise three kids, make meals, and build a business.
Or there’s the other side of life. Our lives, the busy parent, is going to be drastically y different, in fact, it’s not even close in any way, than the guy or gal that’s 20 years old, no kids, and starting an online business.
We have to understand that many of us are in different seasons of life. And that’s ok. It can even be to our advantage. This is one of the big reasons I started SBS. I don’t want you to feel like you have to learn from others whom you can’t relate with. I want to provide you with helpful content that will serve you right where you are. You and I can build a community of like-minded, busy people, like parents, who are making a difference for our families the future through business. Your business and the time you have to devote to it, doesn’t need to look like those who don’t have a family and who can spend all their time working. Your business only needs to fit you and your schedule.
That’s beauty of this.
SO look at your schedule. Where can you devote time to starting and growing your side business? If it’s 30 minutes a day, plan on it. 30 minutes of intentional action, over time, will result in incredible results. Creating a schedule and being consistent is a difference maker.
If your schedule won’t allow you to start this week or this month. That’s ok too. If you have the desire to start, and you have to wait until next month, plan on it. But start as soon as you can and avoid excuses. And avoid over-planning which can lead to excuses. Evaluate your family, your schedule, and don’t worry about the business advice you hear from people that don’t understand your season of life. Your schedule is your schedule and no one else.
3. History
What is your history like with starting projects or pursuing ideas? Do you have a track record of starting something and giving it time to work or do you have a track record of starting new ideas then allowing them to fizzle out? If you have a history of starting something and executing and making it work or following until you realize it’s not best, that’s great.
But if you have started and quit so many things that you’re timid to even move forward, I want to talk about that.
And let me say this, if you have a history of starting and quitting, please know that your history does not define your future.
Just because that has been you in the past, it does not determine what lies ahead for you. But you have to make some choices and stick to them.
Others may doubt you, and you may even doubt yourself, but hear me, if God has wired you to do something-you can do it.
Because a business, whether a side business or not, requires us to take the long look. Some people try to sell us something different, but it’s wise to move forward understanding that a commitment and work are required.
It seems I can’t get on YouTube anymore without seeing an ad by some guy who wants to show me his computer screen. He reveals he made 83,497.63 last month with affiliate marketing and he’s ready to show you how you can too and it only takes 30 days or less. I know that sounds silly, but seriously, some of these guys are ridiculous.
I’m different. Side Business School is different. We’re not just about building bank accounts. We’re about building lives. And that takes time, work, and character.
So if you consider your history as it comes to other business attempts and need some motivation to move forward, then this list is for you.
The “I Can List”
I can start a meaningful and profitable side business.
I can provide a better future for my family and myself.
I can learn and develop the skills I need to succeed.
I can commit to working on my idea for specific length of time (maybe a year).
Maybe you need to write that down and recite it daily for the next 7 days. Do it and see if it makes a difference. What we believe is the basis of everything.
The question was: Should I start a side business? My answer is yes, if you consider these three areas: your purpose, your schedule, and your history. And if your heart is still motivated to move forward after some reflection, press on. Three years from now you’ll be so glad you did.