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Zubair Khan
Zubair Khan

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6 Practical Tips to Balance Side project with Full time Job

Image descriptionFor the Side Hustling Devs 🚀

Here are 6 Practical Tips to Balance that side project with your full-time job

Please! Some of these may appear theoretical and broad, but read each point carefully and give it a thought 🤔

  1. Setting Targets ⛳
  2. Building in Public 🛠️
  3. Managing Time 🕑
  4. Establishing a routine 🥋
  5. Trying Iterative Development 🔄
  6. Keeping Motivation Alive 🔥
  7. Learning in Public 📝

Let's Go!


🎯 Begin with SMART goals:

Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound

For example, building the v1.0 of the app in 2 months

or acquiring first 100 users within 3 months ⛳

🏁 Write your goals, break them into smaller tasks, and stay focused on consistent progress

(Hint: Writing your goals down on a notepad is the key 🔑)


🛠️ Build in Public

Start talking about your idea on social, even before you begin coding

Keep talking about your progress

This builds your network & your authority on social

It helps you meet relevant people who may help your idea grow

(Hint: Start right now. You may find mentors as well as customers)


⏳ Time management is essential

Prioritize tasks by importance and impact

Ask: will this task propel me closer to my goal?

Remember the Pareto principle: 20% of the work yields 80% of the results. 📊

Rather than re working on button colors and Landing page background image, try to ease the user on boarding

Work on, what matters the most, first

(Hint: Search for Effort/ Impact Matrix on Google. Write down tasks in each quadrant based on its efforts and its impact)


🗓️ Establish a routine that works for you

Set aside dedicated time for your side project

Early mornings or weekends, you choice.

Consistency is crucial for success

Stick to your schedule and watch your project grow. ⌚

(Hint: Check the pinned post on my profile for a 30-Day Action Plan Google Sheet)


🌱 Embrace iterative development

Divide your project into smaller, manageable parts

Launch a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and gather feedback early

Iterate and improve

Focus on the progress, not perfection 🔄

(Hint: Get the 1st version out ASAP, let people try it. Hear from them. Note what they have to say. Think over it and implement the changes)


💡 Keep the motivation alive

Revisit the reasons behind your side project - your passion drives you

Celebrate small wins and remember to rest and recharge

Balance is key ⚖️

(Hint: Motivation is the most important. You have to keep pushing even if you don't feel like so)


🤓 Learn from the experiences of others

Engage with fellow developers, attend events, and participate in online communities

Share your journey, seek advice, and stay inspired

(Hint: Share what you are learning on social. You'll build new connections, Authority and Trust.

These are required to sell your SaaS)


Stay disciplined, maintain your passion, and watch your side project grow

You've got this, Devs! 💪

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