Start a side hustle without overthinking it
You’re craving something more. Something that’s yours.
Stop thinking about it and start building something of your own.
You don’t want another meaningless project or a padded job title. You want something that’s yours. Something that feels like it matters.
You’re ready for something real. Something meaningful. Something that doesn’t make you want to curl up in the breakroom and scream into your lunch.
You’ve got ideas. Maybe too many. But every time you try to start, you stall out. “What if I choose the wrong one?” “What if it’s a waste of time?” “How do I even begin?”
You don’t need a perfect plan. You need a first step.
This guide is designed to help you:
Figure out what kind of side hustle would actually work for you
Take small, low-risk steps to test your ideas
Use practical tools to stop spinning your wheels
Get deeper support when you’re ready to make real progress
New here? Welcome.
I’m Michelle, a life coach, course creator, and recovering overachiever who finally got tired of chasing the wrong version of success. I don’t believe in perfect lives. I believe in intentional ones.
I started Intendify Your Life to help people stop living for everyone else and start building a life that feels like home.
Warning: I’m a little blunt, a little nerdy, and wildly in favor of tough love and bold decisions.
Want to know the whole story? Start here.
At Intendify, we break life down into 12 key areas and offer guided paths to help you reflect, plan, and take action so you can start living more intentionally, one step at a time.
It’s like having a life coach in your pocket, minus the awkward eye contact.
Step 1: Reflect on whether a side hustle is actually right for you
Before you jump into researching business names or setting up a TikTok account, let’s pause. You don’t need to commit to anything just yet. But if the idea of a side hustle keeps tugging at you, that’s worth listening to.
Sometimes, we get caught up in the pressure to “do more” without asking why we want it or what it might take from us. This step is your chance to check in with yourself before you build something that doesn’t actually fit your life.
Reflection activity
Use these journal prompts to explore what’s pulling you toward a side hustle:
What am I hoping a side hustle will give me? (Money, freedom, creative energy, a backup plan?)
Which parts of my current life feel stagnant, frustrating, or unfulfilling?
What would success look like to me in six months if I started something small right now?
What would I regret not trying?
How much time do I have available to pour into a side hustle?
Would I be doing it for me or for someone else?
Am I just looking for a way to earn more money?
There’s no “right” direction here, just your honest answers. If, after answering these questions, you think starting a side hustle is for you, you might be ready for step 2.
Audit your life and get fun, weekly life missions in your inbox…
Articles to help you explore the idea of a side hustle
Step 2: Take action and start a side hustle
You want to start a side hustle, but there’s just one problem. You have no idea where to begin.
Maybe you’re stuck on what kind of side hustle would actually work for you, or you're overwhelmed by all the advice out there. I get it. That’s why I put together this step-by-step guide to starting a profitable side hustle, even if you’re starting from scratch.
Want a side hustle but not sure what it should be?
This FREE eBook provides 50 clear and practical side hustle ideas to help you brainstorm your next move. Whether you're looking to earn extra income, explore a passion, or start something of your own, these prompts are designed to get you thinking in new ways.
Download the free eBook and start exploring what could work for you.
Your 7-step roadmap to starting a side hustle
If you’re nodding along but still wondering, “Okay… but now what?”, this is for you.
Step 1: Spot the overlap between what you love and what people need
You don’t need a “million-dollar idea.” You just need to spot where your skills and passions meet something people are already looking for. A past client of mine who loves planning now gets paid to organize birthday parties and family events. She didn’t reinvent the wheel; she just leaned into a skill people value.
The best side hustle is one that fits your skills, interests, and lifestyle. Not sure if a side hustle is even the right move for you?
Here’s how to figure that out:
What are you naturally good at? Think about skills you use at work, in hobbies, or even in daily life. (E.g., writing, organizing, problem-solving.)
What do you love doing? A side hustle should be something you enjoy, or at least don’t hate!
What do people already ask you for help with? If friends or coworkers always turn to you for something, that’s a clue that there’s demand for it.
What’s profitable? At the end of the day, a side hustle should bring in money. Look at what people are already paying for in your area of interest.
Take action: Jot down 5 things you're good at or enjoy doing. Circle the ones people ask you for help with.
Step 2: Do a quick vibe check on the idea
Is anyone paying for this already? Are they talking about it online? If yes, that’s a green light, not a stop sign.
Before you build a website, order business cards, or spend hours creating something, make sure people actually want it.
Ask yourself:
Are people searching for this online? (Use Google, Reddit, or social media to see if there’s buzz around your idea.)
Are others already making money doing something similar? (That’s actually a good sign. Competition means there’s demand!)
Can you test your idea on a small scale? Offer your service to a few friends, pre-sell a product, or post about it online, and see if there’s interest.
Take action: Search your idea on Google, Reddit, Pinterest, YouTube, or TikTok. Notice what’s trending and what’s missing.
Step 3: Sketch a simple plan (really simple)
No business degree required. Just write down:
• What you’ll offer
• Who it’s for
• How you’ll find them
• What you’ll charge (roughly)
I helped my neighbor’s teenager do just that this past Spring. He wrote down: “Dog walking for busy families in my neighborhood. $15/walk. I’ll post in our local Facebook group.” That was his whole plan. It worked.
Take action: Write your “sticky note” business plan on an actual sticky note, if that helps.
Step 4: Test it before you go all-in
Instead of spending hours on a logo, try offering your service to 2–3 real people. Offer a trial session, a beta version, or a low-cost intro. If they bite and come back, you’re onto something.
Take action: Pick one low-stakes way to test your idea this week. Ask for honest feedback.
Step 5: Set boundaries from day one
Your side hustle is a part of your life, not your whole life. Decide now when and how much time you’ll give it.
Take action: Block off your “hustle hours” in your calendar. Even 90 minutes a week counts.
Step 6: Let people know what you’re doing
No need to make a big deal of it. A casual “Hey, I’m offering this now” message to your network is a great start. A parent I know started tutoring just by texting five friends. Her first three clients came from those messages.
Take action: Send a message or post that says: “I’m trying something new. If you or someone you know needs help with [your offer], I’d love to connect.”
Step 7: Pause monthly to reflect and tweak
What’s working? What’s not? Side hustles evolve. Give yourself permission to adapt.
Take action: At the end of each month, ask:
What brought in money?
What felt good?
What do I want to change?
Tweak accordingly.
Start small and take action
One of the biggest mistakes people make when starting a side hustle? Overthinking instead of doing.
You don’t need a fancy website. Start with a simple Instagram page, a Facebook post, or a basic landing page.
You don’t need the perfect branding. Just get your first customer and refine as you go.
You don’t need to know everything. Just learn as you go.
The key is to get started. Small, consistent actions will get you further than waiting for the “perfect” time.
Books to spark action or deeper thinking
These aren’t all traditional “business” books. I chose them because they support creativity, courage, and starting small. And because they inspired me to start this website.
*The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau
Real-life stories of people who started small and made it work. Encouraging, accessible, and focused on using what you already have.
*Company of One by Paul Jarvis
Great for people who don’t want to grow a huge business but do want to build something sustainable on their own terms.
*Everything Is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo
Not business-specific, but a fantastic mindset book for anyone feeling stuck. Helps dismantle “I don’t know where to start” thinking. By the way, Marie’s B-School? I’m a huge fan.
*Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
If you have a creative soul who’s afraid to take action, this is like a pep talk in book form. Beautifully written, with just enough weird to be fun.
*Heads-up: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools and resources I genuinely believe are helpful. Thank you for supporting the work I do here.
Take a baby step
The best way to beat overthinking? Do something. Not everything. Just one thing.
Try one of these:
Tell one trusted person about your idea and ask them to check in on you next week.
Choose one idea and run it through a quick filter: Does it excite you? Is there a small way to test it?
Draft a mini action plan with just 3 steps (no business plan required).
If taking a baby step didn’t kill you, and it empowered you to think you can do this, step 3 offers a guided journey to developing your side hustle step-by-step.
Articles to help you with your side hustle
Step 3: Get serious. Follow a blueprint.
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This blueprint is 20% OFF for the month of July.
A discount will automatically be applied when you check out.
Turn your idea into income is a self-paced guide that helps you move from idea to action. You’ll follow a clear, step-by-step plan to explore your idea, set up the basics, and start putting your side hustle into motion without spending weeks figuring it out on your own.