Why side-hustle when you have a great job?
Recently, I posted that I'm looking to do some side work here on LinkedIn.
In the post I announce I'm looking for some coaching clients, a consulting client, and opportunities to speak and do workshops.
Why would someone who has a great job as the Director of Design Operations at a successful healthcare delivery organization, Teladoc Health , need to have a side-hustle? At that, it isn't like I'm making T-shirts, or running an Etsy store, or organizing a conference, or something else less directly connected to my day job. It's pretty much what I do every day for my day job, but for others.
So Why? ...
It is really simple. I have never found a better way for me to learn about my job, then doing my job in as diverse contexts as I can find. When I coach, consult, teach, write & speak to others, I am learning.
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First, I learn how to clarify what it is I already know. I then bring that new clarity back to my day job. This allows me to direct my team and influence stakeholders much better than I could otherwise.
Second, new contexts gives me an opportunity to stretch my thinking in new and novel ways. My clients then go out applying that thinking and we all get to see if it works for them or not. I can then go back to my job and see if in my context I can stretch & extrapolate these lessons to be effective and relevant in my everyday world.
Lastly, and I have no explanation for it, but when I am doing this side work, I am just simply more engaged at work. The best way I can explain it, is that despite liking the security, stability, and pace of working inside a corporate team, it can be maybe a little too relaxed. My mind does wonder quite a bit and when relaxed it can't always maintain its engagement. However, when I'm doing this side work, my mind is sparking in all directions and because it is sparking, when I turn towards my day job, I am fully engaged, activated, productive, and even more effective overall.
Obviously, these reasons, especially the last one, may not be the best use of your valuable off time, but for me, I have found this is the best use of my attention when I'm not at my desk for my full-time job.
The general question I might ask a client is, "Is there anything you can be doing outside work that fits your life without adding new burdens or stress that would help you become more engaged, energized, and effective at your day-job?" Maybe you need help thinking about this. If so, I know a guy!
Helping ambitious entrepreneurs & full time business coaches escape the trap of growing their business whilst sacrificing time & life. Working on the elements of delivery, sales & high quality daily lead flows.
1 年Dave, thanks for sharing this, if we are not yet connected, please send me a request as I would love to hear more from you.
Founder & Principal @ Slide UX | Product Design, User Experience
2 年Thanks for sharing this. I have tried countless times to reduce the amount of time I spend on work related stuff, but I always feel a draw back to it. There is something particularly motivating and exhilarating about doing work for one's own endeavor.
Makes data meaningful ? Leading design for DataLabs at Capital One ? 12+ yrs of UX Design experience ? Data Artist ? Design Educator ? Sketchnoter
2 年Thanks for writing this Dave! I could resonate with (1) as a practitioner growing through teaching/mentoring/practicing their expertise across multiple problems. This is a great way to position it as a win-win for everyone. Re: (3), have you also seen others do similar activities that energize them & help them with their day-to-day work? Whenever I engage in design events & side projects, I consider its impact *outside* my work (more for self/seeking meaning). Would love to read more about others (if there's anything written in public) and get better at thinking about this holistically.
Customer-Obsessed Professional ?? Business Process Optimizer ?? Strategic Innovator ?? Inspiring Team Builder
2 年Well said, Dave! I have enjoyed speaking engagements as well as I always learn more from researching my audience and assembling a message consisting of life experiences with the desire to help others avoid some of the mistakes that I have made throughout my journey. Side hustles also help you bring the learnings back to your full-time job where your employer benefits. They are lucky to have you, Dave!
Lead User Experience Researcher | Anthropologist | Health Equity
2 年I believe this is the original meaning of multitasking—tackling tasks that are multiple and connected. Thanks for sharing & Congrats Dave M.