**Is fear stopping you from starting a new business or side hustle?**
Almost every day, I get emails from people saying they’re scared to start their side hustle and put themselves out there. This is a pretty common fear for anyone trying something new.
Today, I’m chatting with my friend Christine about how to overcome these fears when starting a new side hustle or business. I also ask her other mindset and productivity questions that come up often.
Christine used to be a full-time blogger but now she’s a certified life coach, freelance writer, and online marketer. She’s tried many different side hustles and online businesses, and she’s here to share some valuable advice to help you get started. Christine also created The Harbor, a life coaching monthly membership for online entrepreneurs.
Some of the questions I ask her include:
– How can someone decide if a side hustle or business is right for them?
– How can someone overcome their fears of starting a business and actually begin?
– What’s the best planning method for productivity?
– How can entrepreneurs create a better work-life balance?
– How can someone stop feeling overwhelmed when starting a new business?
– What should a person do if they feel burnout from their side hustle or business?
Starting something new can bring up a lot of questions and fears, which might stop people from chasing their dreams and finding ways to make money. Today’s article will help you overcome those fears and take the steps needed to start a successful business or side hustle. Enjoy the interview!
**Mindset and Productivity Tips For Starting A New Business**
**Tell us about yourself and how you became a coach.**
After college, I was stuck in low-paying jobs with no valuable work experience or skills. Blogging on weekends became my creative escape from my draining full-time job. Eventually, I replaced my full-time income through blogging. After four years, I felt ready for a change. My blog provided actionable advice, but I noticed my readers weren’t making lasting changes because they needed a deeper mindset shift. That’s what led me to coaching. I sold my blog, immersed myself in a coaching certification program, and started fresh with a new coaching business.
**What side hustles and online businesses have you tried?**
I’ve tried a lot! I realized proofreading wasn’t for me, but creating low-content journals for Amazon KDP was fun. I’ve dabbled in selling Canva templates on Etsy. My blog brought in income through affiliate marketing, selling digital products, and course creation. Freelance writing has been a good income source, though it’s mentally taxing. I also have a few part-time virtual assistant clients, which I enjoy for the variety and good pay. My blogging experience gave me valuable skills that have helped me succeed in various side hustles.
**How do thoughts and emotions impact making money?**
Everything! Managing your thoughts and emotions is crucial for making money, especially for side hustlers and entrepreneurs. Our thoughts create our emotions, which drive our actions, and those actions lead to results. For example, if you think, “I don’t want to bother people,” you’ll feel timid, procrastinate, and likely not make much money. But if you think, “What I’m sharing can help my readers,” you’ll feel excited, take confident actions, and likely earn more.
**How can someone decide if a side hustle or business is right for them?**
Alignment is key. There are endless ways to make money, and everyone will say their way is the best because it worked for them. But it worked for them because it felt right for them. Think about the day-to-day work you’ll be doing, not just the potential income. If you enjoy the daily tasks, you’re more likely to succeed and enjoy the process.
**How can someone overcome their fears of starting a business and actually begin?**
Fear often comes from perfectionism. Experienced entrepreneurs know nothing will ever be “done” or “perfect.” Your business will always be growing and changing, so start now and share it with the world. Criticism means you’re doing something memorable and valuable. Learning to manage your thoughts and emotions is crucial. If you have the desire to try something, honor that desire and take action. The skills you learn along the way will be valuable no matter what happens.
**What’s the best planning method for productivity?**
The best method is whatever works for you at this phase of your life, as long as it includes these four keys: strategy (having an end goal for every task), prioritization (focusing on impactful tasks), working distraction-free, and daily power hours (time for small tasks). I used to rely on time blocking, but when my husband became ill, I needed more flexibility. Now, I use a mix of to-do lists, the Check-Boxes Method, and a simplified version of time-blocking.
**How can entrepreneurs create a better work-life balance?**
Define what work-life balance means for you. It’s not about a perfect 50/50 balance but intentional imbalance. Sometimes work takes priority, and other times personal life does. Be “all in” on whatever you’re doing, whether it’s work or relaxation. A journaling exercise can help you imagine your ideal balance and start incorporating it into your life.
**How can someone stop feeling overwhelmed when starting a new business?**
Learn one new skill at a time and ignore most of the advice out there. Focus on one task, like creating a regular posting rhythm, and then add new skills as you get comfortable. You don’t need every ideal element up and running right away. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Buy one course, apply everything you learn, and then move on to the next.
**What should a person do if they feel burnout from their side hustle or business?**
Improve the quality of your rest and downtime. Entrepreneurs often half-work all the time, which leads to poor quality rest. Create clear boundaries between work and downtime. Resting can feel uncomfortable, but it’s essential. Use intentional thoughts to make rest feel safer and more beneficial. Quality rest helps recharge and recover from burnout.
**What other tips do you have for someone who wants to start side hustling or start their own business?**
Just do it! Stop looking for tips and start taking messy action. Consider everything an experiment and a learning process. You can’t research your way to success.
**What can someone learn from your coaching membership?**
The Harbor helps online entrepreneurs step into mindful productivity. You’ll learn foundational skills for a sustainable business, like reducing overwhelm, creating action plans, and managing time and energy. Popular topics include creating growth plans, quality rest, setting boundaries, overcoming procrastination, and time management. Workbooks and one-on-one help through group coaching calls and written coaching are included.
**Client Success Stories:**
– Kayla, a Virtual Assistant, went from burnt out to excited about her business.
– Cassie, a Pinterest Manager, reclaimed time and booked clients at her highest fee.
– Shayna, a Life Coach, started working strategically and gained new clients.
– Jessica, a Blogger, streamlined her schedule and focused on important tasks.
– Erin, an Email Marketing Specialist, scaled her business and reduced stress.
Most entrepreneurs think they need a new strategy to earn more, but they actually need skills like mindful productivity and overcoming procrastination. The Harbor focuses on applying what you already know to achieve success.
What’s holding you back? What questions do you have for Christine?