For the Side Hustling Devs 🚀
Here are 6 Practical Tips to Balance that side project with your full-time job
Please! Some of these may appear theoretical and broad, but read each point carefully and give it a thought 🤔
- Setting Targets ⛳
- Building in Public 🛠️
- Managing Time 🕑
- Establishing a routine 🥋
- Trying Iterative Development 🔄
- Keeping Motivation Alive 🔥
- Learning in Public 📝
Let's Go!
🎯 Begin with SMART goals:
Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound
For example, building the v1.0 of the app in 2 months
or acquiring first 100 users within 3 months ⛳
🏁 Write your goals, break them into smaller tasks, and stay focused on consistent progress
(Hint: Writing your goals down on a notepad is the key 🔑)
🛠️ Build in Public
Start talking about your idea on social, even before you begin coding
Keep talking about your progress
This builds your network & your authority on social
It helps you meet relevant people who may help your idea grow
(Hint: Start right now. You may find mentors as well as customers)
⏳ Time management is essential
Prioritize tasks by importance and impact
Ask: will this task propel me closer to my goal?
Remember the Pareto principle: 20% of the work yields 80% of the results. 📊
Rather than re working on button colors and Landing page background image, try to ease the user on boarding
Work on, what matters the most, first
(Hint: Search for Effort/ Impact Matrix on Google. Write down tasks in each quadrant based on its efforts and its impact)
🗓️ Establish a routine that works for you
Set aside dedicated time for your side project
Early mornings or weekends, you choice.
Consistency is crucial for success
Stick to your schedule and watch your project grow. ⌚
(Hint: Check the pinned post on my profile for a 30-Day Action Plan Google Sheet)
🌱 Embrace iterative development
Divide your project into smaller, manageable parts
Launch a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and gather feedback early
Iterate and improve
Focus on the progress, not perfection 🔄
(Hint: Get the 1st version out ASAP, let people try it. Hear from them. Note what they have to say. Think over it and implement the changes)
💡 Keep the motivation alive
Revisit the reasons behind your side project - your passion drives you
Celebrate small wins and remember to rest and recharge
Balance is key ⚖️
(Hint: Motivation is the most important. You have to keep pushing even if you don't feel like so)
🤓 Learn from the experiences of others
Engage with fellow developers, attend events, and participate in online communities
Share your journey, seek advice, and stay inspired
(Hint: Share what you are learning on social. You'll build new connections, Authority and Trust.
These are required to sell your SaaS)
Stay disciplined, maintain your passion, and watch your side project grow
You've got this, Devs! 💪
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