How to Balance Work and Side Hustles for ENTPs
ENTPs are among the more entrepreneurial personalities of the 16-type system. You're innovative, curious and have a knack for turning big ideas into reality. This often leads to ENTPs starting their own businesses or hopping on board a freshly minted start-up.
But if you're not ready to take the plunge into full-time entrepreneurship, or you (mostly) like and want to keep your day job, then side hustles can be a great way for ENTPs to satisfy their hunger for new challenges and creative outlets while still maintaining the stability of a regular pay check.
Why are Side Hustles Perfect for ENTPs?
ENTPs thrive on variety. Doing the same thing day in and day out can feel suffocating for your dynamic personality. Even the most exciting job can have its monotonous parts, so having a side hustle is the perfect way to add some spice and diversity into your life.
You likely will get other benefits from your side hustle, too. For instance:
- The ability to do something on your own terms with no rules or restrictions.
- A creative outlet to explore new ideas and passions outside of your day job.
- Flexibility to set your own schedule and work at your own pace.
- The opportunity to learn more about something that interests and inspires you.
- The chance to watch something develop and grow.
As to what side hustle you choose, that's entirely up to you. Your options are pretty much limitless, and who says you have to stick with just one? As an ENTP, you're great at multitasking and juggling multiple projects, dipping in and out of each as your energy ebbs and flows. You may even find that your various side hustles complement each other, providing a well-rounded and fulfilling experience.
How to Balance Work and Side Hustles
With a full-time job and potentially multiple side hustles, there's a big red warning sign that says "work overload" looming in front of you. You've never been good at maintaining boundaries, because the limits can always be pushed and blurred if something new and exciting comes along! However, finding a healthy balance between work and side hustles is crucial—to avoid burnout, of course, but also to make sure that you're not throwing all your energy into something that only pays 2% of the bills or adds only 5% enjoyment into your life. Here are some tips for finding and maintaining that balance:
#1: Prioritize
Make a list of your different commitments and prioritize them based on their importance and potential impact. This is important: you resent spending time on things that don't matter. Prioritizing will ensure that your energy and time are focused on the most meaningful tasks, whatever that looks like for you.
#2: Set boundaries and stick to them
As hard as it may be, set boundaries for yourself when it comes to your time and energy. This means knowing when to say "no" to new side hustle opportunities or taking on more responsibilities at work. Give yourself enough time to do the things that matter properly instead of cutting corners or spreading yourself too thin. Write down your boundaries and be really specific. For example, some boundaries might include:
- No side hustle work after 9 PM during the week.
- No more than two side hustles at a time.
- Only committing to a new project after finishing an existing one.
#3: Schedule and plan ahead
While your instinct is to go with the energy flow, and you work better when you're feeling inspired, having a loose schedule and plan can help keep things organized. Strict calendars and daily/ weekly task mapping may feel too restrictive for you, so experiment with different planning methods to find what works best for you. The key is to have a rough idea of your priorities and time commitments so you don't feel overworked (or overworked on the wrong things) BUT have enough space before a deadline that you don't feel suffocated or forced into a creative rut. It's tough, but a little structure can go a long way in balancing work and side hustles.
#4: Be mindful of your energy levels
As much as you thrive on new challenges and ideas, you can easily burn out if you're not careful. Learn to recognize your energy levels and when it's time to take a break or step back from a project—or even from all of your projects. Sometimes, moving from one side hustle to another will give you the necessary break to continue working effectively. Other times, you will need to take a break from everything and recharge. Learn to know the difference.
#5: Enjoy the journey
As an ENTP, it's easy to get lost in your ambitious plans and forget to enjoy the process. Remember that side hustles are supposed to be fun and fulfilling, not just a means to an end. Take time to appreciate the progress you've made and celebrate small wins along the way. And if at any point the passion wanes, spend some time looking at the big picture and asking yourself if this side hustle (or this job!) is still contributing to your personal growth and happiness. Don't be afraid to let go of something that no longer serves you or brings you joy.
Looking for career and side gig ideas? Out Career Personality Profiler test measures your interests and what you really want from work, then matches your preferences with careers and alternative careers that might just be perfect for you. It's a great tool to use when exploring a career change, considering different side hustle options or simply expanding your horizons. Happy hustling!
