Stop Being Busy: How to Balance Your Creative Side Hustle with a 9-to-5
We’ve all been there—staring at a packed calendar, feeling overwhelmed, and wondering how to make time for your creative passions. The issue isn’t the lack of time—it’s how we’re using it.
Here’s the secret! Being busy doesn’t mean being productive. Once you understand this, you can take control of your time with a simple three-step process: Inventorize, Identify, and Automate.
Let’s dive into each step.
Step 1: Inventorize – Understand where your time goes
The first step to balancing your creative hustle with your day job is knowing exactly where your time goes.
Check your calendar: Map out your week, including work hours, personal time, and moments dedicated to your creative projects. Look for gaps, overlaps, or areas where time could be used better.
Journal your days: Writing down how you spend your time helps you notice patterns. Whether it’s jotting down lists, random thoughts, or doing a brain dump, journaling gives clarity.
Use tech to save time: Tools like Siri or Google Assistant can capture ideas quickly. Sure, you might get a few funny typos, but the convenience is worth it.
By understanding your current habits, you can start making better use of your time.
Step 2: Identify Repetitive Tasks
Next, look for tasks that come up repeatedly. These are the areas where you can save time. Examples might include:
Preparing for creative projects, like photo shoots or brainstorming.
Packing for trips or events.
Routine work tasks, like writing reports or replying to emails.
Spotting these patterns is the first step toward freeing up your schedule.
Step 3: Automate – Streamline your workload
Once you’ve identified the repetitive tasks, it’s time to make them more efficient. Tools like Notion, calendar apps, or Shortcuts are your best friends here.
Here’s the twist: Consider the tasks you genuinely enjoy doing. This way, the process doesn’t become overly robotic. Perhaps you love organizing files or writing—keep those tasks for yourself. They don’t need to be automated or delegated.
Here are a few things I’ve automated to save time:
Planning photo shoots with a smart content calendar.
Managing my gear inventory with a pre-made packing list. (Check out my blog post and video on this topic for more insights and tips!)
Using checklists for shot lists, camera settings, and workflows.
Automation doesn’t just save time—it creates mental space to focus on your creative work.
Conclusion
Balancing a creative side hustle with a full-time job isn’t about working harder—it’s about working smarter. By following the Inventorize, Identify, Automate method, you can free up more time and energy for what truly matters.
Now it’s your turn! What’s one task you’d love to automate or delegate? Share it in the comments—I’d love to hear your ideas!
