As you reach your 30s, 40s, and beyond, there can be a tug-of-war between your passion projects and your financial needs. You want to do what you love, but you also need to make enough money to pay your bills and support your family.
The internal grappling can be real. You may feel guilty for not spending enough time with your family or friends. You may worry about not making enough money to support yourself and your loved ones. You may even doubt your abilities to succeed.
It’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Many people struggle to balance their passion projects with their financial obligations. But there are a few things you can do to make it easier:
Set realistic goals. Don’t expect to be able to quit your job and live off your passion project overnight. It takes time to build a successful business, so start by setting small, achievable goals. For example, you might aim to make a certain amount of money each month from your side hustle, or to publish a certain number of blog posts each week
Be patient. It takes time to build a successful passion project. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results immediately. Just keep working hard and don’t give up.
Be flexible. Be willing to change your plans as needed. If your passion project isn’t working out the way you hoped, don’t be afraid to pivot to something else.
Find a side hustle that complements your skills and interests. This will make it easier to stay motivated and productive. For example, if you’re a writer, you could start a freelance writing business. Or, if you’re a musician, you could teach music lessons.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are many resources available to help entrepreneurs succeed. There are also many online communities where you can connect with other people who are working on their passion projects.
Business values: Having a set of business values can really support you when times get tough. They form a navigation system that should remind you why you started and support you in making decisions around partnerships, collaborations, or jobs that may help work towards your purpose and passions.
Vision board: Creating a vision board can help you to visualize your success and stay motivated. Cut out images and words that represent your goals and dreams, and glue them to a board. Hang the board in a place where you’ll see it every day.
Affirmations: Affirmations are positive statements that you can repeat to yourself to boost your confidence and motivation. For example, you might repeat affirmations like “I am a successful entrepreneur” or “I am capable of achieving my goals.”
Accountability partner: Find an accountability partner who will support you on your journey. This could be a friend, family member, or mentor. Meet with your accountability partner regularly to discuss your goals and progress.
Remember, you don’t have to have it all right now. It’s okay to start small and gradually build your passion project into a successful business. Just be patient, persistent, and flexible, and you’ll eventually reach your goals. How to balance passion projects with financial sustainability when you have young kids.
Balancing passion projects with financial sustainability is even more challenging when you have young kids. You’re sleep-deprived, stressed, and have more people relying on you. But it’s not impossible. Here are a few tips:
Be strategic with your time. When you have young kids, every minute counts. Make sure you’re spending your time on the most important tasks. For example, if you’re writing a book, focus on writing for one hour each day, even if it’s just before
bed.
Find a support system. Having a support system is essential when you’re trying to balance passion projects with young kids. This could be your spouse, partner, family, or friends. Ask for help when you need it.
Don’t be afraid to say no. It’s okay to say no to extra commitments, especially if you’re feeling overwhelmed. It’s more important to focus on your top priorities.
Remember, you don’t have to be perfect. It’s okay if you can’t devote as much time to your passion projects as you’d like. Just do your best and don’t give up on your dreams.
I hope this helps!
