E is for everything #132: How to get a side hustle going 💵

"All I ever wanted to do was be part of the world I loved. The world I discovered in books and art and music. I want to be part of it. I don’t care how or in what capacity." - Austin Kleon, An intercourse with the world

But only if you need to -- not every side hustle needs to be about that shmoney.

What's worth reading this week (and last week) 🗞️

Have you wanted to read more. I know I have. Here's h ow to Read 80ish Books a Year (And Actually Remember Them). Also, here's why it feels like everyone has more money than you do. Also, people fought for us to have free time away from work, so we should definitely take it. And you may want to consider picking up sewing to pass the hours.
It's tax season, and if you're in a relationship, that can be a particularly stressful time, to say nothing of talking about money in general. Here's a guide from Khe Hy on how to have that dreaded money conversation with your partner. Also, Khe and I were clearly on the same wavelength this week, since I found this after I wrote my essay. Oh, and have you heard of an A/B journal? Me neither. Apparently it can help cut your work hours in half. Also, here are the two books Simon Sinek says will train your brain for success. And James Clear hit me where it hurts: if you commit to nothing, you'll be distracted by everything. And don't forget, journaling is one big slab of concrete that makes up the road to success.
Late bloomers are happier and more successful, and here's why. Also, we need an empathy revolution and you need a self-care plan. Speaking of empathy and self-care, did you know the world is built for men? No? Well, it is, and that's a really big problem. Also, survey says!!! ... half of San Francisco Bay Area residents want to leave. Yeah, I'm definitely not here because I love the Bay...
Here are 13 advantages one person uses to get through things that scare the crap out of them. Also, here's another tale of things-aren't-always-as-they-appear.
F*ck hustle.

The essay: How to get a side-hustle going 💵

An old saying goes (or I hope it does, at least): "if you want to learn, teach". It couldn't be more true.

This week, I had the privilege of being a member of the teaching team for a d.school class on the role of storytelling in fostering inclusion at work. It has been a while since I've taught a class, and I'm a little rusty. Thankfully, I have two teaching team members (because the d.school wisely has all classes taught in teams) who are absolutely fantastic.

Jill Vialet is the founder of Playworks, where we held the class, and Susie Wise was the director of the d.school's K-12 Lab where she had national impact, spreading creativity and human-centered design to schools across America. I am proud to count both of these incredible power-house women as mentors and friends.

The thing I love most about teaching, besides working with people I care about and respect, and besides being given the opportunity to help someone acquire new information and gain new skills, is being able to learn in the best possible way.

There's a movement afoot where people are searching constantly for their "side hustle" -- or that extra thing they can do besides their day jobs. But many people struggle to figure out what their special thing is. What could I possibly offer that someone would pay for?

I maintain that the special thing anyone has is curiosity, and just on the other side of that is knowledge. Bring these two things together, and I all but guarantee you have a side hustle.

Then, the next thing is figuring out how to package and offer what you know. Here are some recommendations for cultivating a side-hustle:

Don't focus on getting paid ... at first. One of the most difficult aspects of starting a side hustle is knowing if you have something people will pay you for. I don't teach for money, but it gives me an opportunity to test out what I know - to learn about what I can file away as value-add pieces of knowledge and what is not. It also gives me an opportunity to practice presenting, being quick on my feet and to build up my confidence.
Put your learning foot forward first. When you're going out to look for customers or clients, approach each interaction with a deep desire to learn about the person you are providing a product or service for. Figure out what the problem is they need solving (which isn't always the same as the problem they say they want to have solved).
Start small to go big. You don't need to make a sale to 5 million people to have a side hustle. You just need one at first, and then two, and then three, and you get the picture. If you launch out of the gate trying to serve 5 million people, you'll almost certainly disappoint yourself. Every company started with a first dollar in and a first customer served.
Do what you love. A side hustle that you don't enjoy isn't a side-hustle, it's a waste of time. After all, you already have a job. Your side hustle should put you in your happy place. Teaching people and helping them bring clarity to their storytelling and creativity into their problem-solving brings me joy. I love pubic speaking, helping people figure out how to navigate rough waters and see around corners, and I love learning new skills to solve problems for people who don't have time to learn the skills themselves. So, when I get to do that and get paid, I'm happy.
Be impatient, because you're on your clock now. If you want to do a side-hustle, be impatient. Go out there and say "yes" to opportunities. If someone asks if you can do that talk, or teach that class, or write that article, or make that art -- do it! Say "yes" to opportunities to make, learn, and share. Don't shy away. Yes, you may lose a weekend here or there, but is it really lost if you stick to #4 (do what you love)?

Not everyone is in favor of having a side-hustle, and I can totally understand why. We work long enough hours as it is -- especially here in America. We also need to take vacations and step away from all of the things that occupy our minds. After all, creativity happens in beautiful, empty moments. So, I recommend keeping your side-hustle to a dull roar unless you want to make it your main gig. Ultimately, be kind to yourself, and enjoy the learning that comes with a full life away from work, whether that includes a side hustle or not.

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Thank you so much to all of the 1,000+ subscribers to 'E is for Everything' and especially those like Natalya Pemberton of the Presidio Graduate School. Natalya has been with me and donated to support this little, crazy newsletter since its earliest days. I do 'E is for Everything' for fun, but sending newsletters isn't free (sadly). So, your support matters. Natalya has generously supported E is for Everything on Patreon. Please jump on through or click on the big orange button to learn more about how you can support this newsletter too. (Yes, I am a bit behind on 'thank you notes' -- they are coming!)

I got you fam.

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I'm imperfect, and I'm cool with that. Do you wish I shared something else? Did I get something wrong? (Failure is learning.) Please reply directly to this e-mail. I will always and whenever possible give credit where it's due for great recommendations and inspiration. Have a great week around the corner.