A side project is a group of habits working in concert toward a singular goal.
For example, at some point in the future, I would like to publish an application on the App Store. There's a lot I have to learn before that can become a reality. However, I'm already laying the groundwork by implementing good habits in my daily life toward that goal (and others).
The habit is simple: study regularly.
Currently, that involves working my way through the 100 Days of SwiftUI course by Hacking with Swift.
Through the 100 Days of SwiftUI course, I want to become familiar with SwiftUI and some of its core technologies. Find out if this is something I can and want to do. Then I will pick up a book on the subject and go through that material. Deepening my knowledge of Swift and SwiftUI to an adequate level to build the first app I have in mind.
Eventually, I will switch gears to design.
Asking questions like, "What do I want this app to look like?"
Answering this question and others with a few design tutorials I've saved to my watch later playlist on YouTube. Once I can visualize something, I can build it, and that would be the next step in this side project. The point here is that it starts with the simple habit of regular study until I can express the thing I'm trying to create.
There's one area where many creators get it wrong when trying to execute a side project.
Today, we're going to shine a light on it, and I'm going to share with you the right way to go about your side projects.
How To Escape Tutorial Hell?
We've all been there.
We get the idea that we want to write a book, produce an album, paint a series of paintings, start on a new career path, or even start a business. What's usually the next step? We jump into tutorials on YouTube. Jumping between them, seeking answers to our questions. Before long, we've spent hours just watching videos. Never putting what we've learned into practice.
So, instead of being stuck in tutorial hell, feeling like you're doing something but you're not actually doing anything, I propose that you work alongside the tutorial.
If you're trying to figure out how to write stronger characters in your novel. Watch between 2-3 videos from different sources, pick one method from the 2-3, and try it for yourself. If you don't get the result you were after, try the other. Then move on to the next thing. Repeat as necessary.
The idea here is not to get locked into consuming.
You also want to create to allow the information to seep into your brain and stick.
Only consuming doesn't come with many benefits, unless you do it actively.
How To Make Time For Your Side Projects
When I was unemployed, the one thing I loved was that I could spend all day doing different things and still have time to doom scroll on TikTok for hours.
Now that I have a 9-5, I don't have that much free time between shifts.
I wake up at 4 AM, get ready, make my coffee, and by 5 I'm clocked in and ready for work. At 1:30 PM, I get off, and then my focus turns to my many habits. Right now, this includes writing for 2 hours, reading for an hour, studying a little, and posting notes on Substack.
Minimum, I aim to do at least one of them every day.
The two hours of writing are more of a limit than a minimum.
That's really all you need. One to two hours of focused work. Pick a habit, start small, and build it into something you can complete in that amount of time.
You have to make time, and you don't need much of it.
Trust me, most days I only write because I have little energy for anything else. Waking up so early and having little time for TikTok and Netflix sucks, but I know it's all for the best.
I do make sure to reward myself after a string of productive days. I go into more detail about this side of habits inside the Personal Development Master Class. It'll help you transform your identity into someone who does write that book, produce that album, paint that series of paintings, start that new career, and even start that business.
Quick Recap: How To Start A Side Project
Get a basic understanding of your subject matter.
Start work on your project by defining habits you can perform regularly to finish your project.
That might include spending time studying, writing, reading, etc.
If you're trying to figure out how to write stronger characters in your novel. Watch between 2-3 videos from different sources, pick one method from the 2-3, and try it for yourself. If you don't get the result you were after, try the other. Then move on to the next thing. Repeat as necessary.
That's really all you need. One to two hours of focused work. Pick a habit, start small, and build it into something you can complete in that amount of time.
P.S.
Want to rewire your identity and take control of your life in 30 days? The Personal Development Masterclass shows you how. This course aims to:
Transform your identity within 30 days.
Teach you a repeatable habit system for every part of your life.
Help you build consistency, confidence, and control over your life.
Check it out here.
I’ve been in that place of feeling inspired but overwhelmed. I have lots of ideas, but not enough structure or time. I like the idea that a side project is just a cluster of habits toward a goal. That’s something I can do! One thing at a time, with intention. Even if it’s just 30 minutes before bed or after my daughter’s asleep. I’ve also lived in tutorial hell and definitely need to escape there. This is a sign to act more and consume less. Thank you Idris Elijah!
Balancing a 9–5 and still wanting to build something on the side feels impossible some days. But this gave me a solid reminder that an hour of focused work that is done regularly can move mountains. I don’t have hours of free time, but I do have 60 minutes I waste every day. I’m committed to shifting that energy into something that lasts. I really think it will be worth it in the end. It all starts with me giving that 60 minutes to my writing with no distractions and no excuses. Thank you for this motivation today Idris Elijah and Happy Friday to you!!