Is Career Fulfillment a Side Hustle Away?

I've heard it before.

"I know I want to leave my job to follow enter dream job/career here, but I have responsibilities and can't take the financial risk."

Or

"I want to follow a new path, but I have no experience there. Who is going to hire me?"

Sound like something you've said or thought before? It sounds familiar to me, because I thought the same thing! Coaching has been something I've been passionate about for a while, but leaving something you know to start something you don't is scary! I needed some baby steps to help me build confidence and alleviate concerns that I could, in fact, build a viable business.

Enter the side hustle.

Whenever I tell people about Jess Feldt Coaching I joke about it being my side hustle. Not familiar with the term? Primarily, it's an avenue for making money that is outside of one's main income source.  By day, I am Jess Feldt, Manager of Talent Operations. By night, I am Jess Feldt, business owner and professional coach. (This feels like my superhero Clark Kent moment- the Side Hustle Super Hero!). I'm building my business, earning some money on the side, and keeping the security of my day job until I'm ready to go out on my own. Yes, it takes some sacrifice. I'm taking coaching calls over lunches, after work, and on weekends, but I've decided the sacrifice now is worth the fulfillment and freedom later on. It's a choice I'm choosing to make. And, about 44 million others are too.

So, can a side hustle help you follow your dreams of career fulfillment?

Think about what's holding you back from going after the career you want. Is it the money, the skillset, the confidence, or maybe all three?

If it's just the money, think about participating in the sharing economy. My father-in-law drives for Uber, which allows him to do what he really loves, real estate, even when the season slows down in Chicago's frigid winters.

If it's the skillset, look for opportunities to freelance or find contract work to build experience. Maybe, at first, it's volunteer work.

Or you can do what I'm doing and start a business on the side to test a concept or build a client base. In fact, both my husband and I are taking this route! (Shameless plug - go visit paleoispossible.com).

Ultimately, life is too short to feel stuck doing something you don't love. It's scary as hell to think about leaving the familiar and the comfortable, but there are so many options out there that make going after what you want possible. I'd love to chat with you and help you get there!