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If you’ve already started a side hustle, or if you’re considering starting one, then you know how difficult it can be to balance your health with your pursuits (personal, professional, or otherwise).

You might even be trying to balance a career on top of it, which might be a challenging act, one you may find is often out of sync.

But what if you want to grow a side hustle to a full-time gig? Perhaps your small business brings passion to your life in a way that your day job can’t, in which case you may dream of doing more with it.

It can seem daunting to turn your side hustle into your full-time career, but it’s definitely possible. With careful planning and execution, you can grow your business while still managing your chronic illness.

In this article, I’m going to give you 10 tips you can use to grow your side hustle into a full-time business while balancing the demands of your chronic illness.

The Rise of the Side Hustle

According to GOBankingRates, over 46% of Americans have a side hustle to cover their living expenses, and this figure is on the rise.

With rising inflation and stagnant wages, it’s no wonder that people are working harder than ever to make ends meet. And if you have a chronic illness, then it may be even harder to get ahead.

If you have difficulty maintaining a full-time job because of your health issues, or if you’re struggling to pay your rising medical bills, then there’s a decent chance that you may find yourself starting (or considering starting) a side hustle.

Does this sound like you? Are you wondering what you can do to build your business and achieve a more sustainable income? Then keep reading on, up next are key tips you can use to grow your side hustle.

10 Tips to Grow Your Side Hustle

It’s tough to live with a chronic illness, but that doesn’t mean you can’t build a sustainable income for yourself.

Here are 10 tips to help you get started:

1. Make sure your side hustle is compatible with your needs and skills.

Before you decide to level up your latest side hustle, make sure it’s a compatible fit for your lifestyle, health needs, strengths, and interests.

Not all side hustles are created equal. Some are more demanding than others, both in terms of time and energy. If you have a chronic illness, it’s important to choose something that you can manage without overexerting yourself.

For example, if you have a physical limitation, you might want to avoid any work that requires a lot of lifting or standing. If you have a mental illness, you might want to avoid opportunities that are high-stress or require a lot of social interaction.

You’ll also want to make sure your side hustle is well-suited for your strengths and interests. You may want to take an inventory of your strengths for inspiration, in which case I recommend reading Strengths Finder, which comes with a free personality quiz when you buy the book new.

2. Set realistic goals.

It’s important to be realistic about what you can achieve when you have a chronic illness. Don’t set yourself up for failure by setting unrealistic goals.

Start small and gradually increase your workload as you get stronger. For example, you might start by working on your side hustle for 1 hour a day, and then gradually increase that to 2 hours, 3 hours, and so on.

Gradually ramp up your side hustle and you’ll be better positioned for success in the long-term.

Psst… if you need a tool to help you keep on target with your goals, I recommend using ClickUp (their free tier alone is AMAZING).

3. Take breaks when you need them.

It’s important to listen to your body and take breaks when you need them. If you’re feeling tired or unwell, take a break from your side hustle and focus on your health.

Don’t feel guilty about taking breaks. Remember, your health is your top priority. Besides, if you start sacrificing your health in favor of your side hustle, then your health may force you to drop it entirely.

When you have a chronic illness it’s hard to keep your health on target, but do your part and that will help you stay on track!

4. Find a support system.

Any entrepreneur can benefit from a good support system, but I personally think it’s essential if you have a chronic illness. It’s also really important to have a support system if you’re planning on scaling up your business.

Your support system might include family members, friends, or other people who understand what you’re going through. It may also include other entrepreneurs.

This group can help you stay motivated, offer advice, and provide emotional support when you need it.

5. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

If you’re struggling to manage your side hustle and your chronic illness, don’t be afraid to ask for help. There are many resources available to help you, such as government programs, non-profits, and online forums.

Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for the help you need. There are people who care about you and want to see you succeed.

6. Be patient.

Growing a side hustle takes time and effort. Be patient and persistent, and you’ll eventually achieve your goals.

ClickUp is a great tool to help you stay on track and make progress with even your most ambitious goals.

7. Celebrate your successes.

It’s important to celebrate your successes, no matter how small they may seem. This will help you stay motivated so you can keep moving forward.

When you achieve a goal, take some time to celebrate that success. Perhaps treat yourself to a small gift, or even take just a few minutes to reflect on your accomplishments. You deserve to celebrate your achievements!

8. Don’t give up.

There will be times when you want to give up. But it’s important to remember why you started your side hustle in the first place.

Keep your goals in mind and don’t give up on your dreams.

9. Have fun!

Growing a side hustle should be enjoyable. If you’re not having fun, you’re less likely to stick with it when new challenges arise.

Make sure your business is something you still enjoy doing. This will make the journey much more rewarding.

Over time, you may also find that your side hustle doesn’t bring as much joy to your life as it used to, and that’s ok! If you find yourself in this position, consider following tip #10.

10. Don’t be afraid to change course.

If your side hustle isn’t working out, or you no longer have passion for it, don’t be afraid to change course. It’s nothing to be ashamed of if it’s no longer serving you.

There are many different side hustles out there, so don’t be afraid to experiment until you find one that’s a better fit for your current circumstances. The worst that can happen is that you learn something new.

Conclusion

Growing a side hustle while you balance a chronic illness is challenging, yet feasible. It takes hard work, dedication, and even a little bit of luck. But if you’re willing to put in the effort, you can achieve your goals.

So what are you waiting for? Get ready to grow your business!

Let me know in the comments below about which side hustle you decided to pursue- I’d love to hear your story! 

Do you need help finding other tools to help you on your side hustle journey? Let me know! I’m happy to provide you with specific input to support your current situation. 

Best of luck to you on your journey, I look forward to hearing all about it.

Additional Resources

• The National Organization on Disability
• The American Chronic Pain Association
• The Invisible Disabilities Association

Think growing your side hustle while balancing your chronic illness will help you FIRE Your Career? Check out the posts page for more ways you can FIRE Your Career and achieve financial freedom.

FIRE Your Career: Achieve Financial Freedom Through Your Career & Spend MORE Time Doing What You Love.

Tools I recommend in this article:

Strengths Finder (book to help you uncover your innate strengths, includes a free personality quiz)

ClickUp (my recommended goal-tracking and project management tool)