How to Find the Time to Launch Your Own Business or Side Hustle

Deciding that you want or need to earn extra money as a pastor is one thing. But finding the time to do it, in addition to your regular ministry position, can be a challenge!

So how can you find the time to launch your own business or side hustle? And is it really possible to build your dream business in just 15 hours a week, or even less? We’ll talk about that in this episode of the More Than a Pastor Show. Let’s get started!

4 Keys to Success in Starting Your Own Business

If you’re a pastor thinking about starting a business or side hustle, I believe there are 4 keys to success that will help you start strong and stay motivated in your ministry work and your entrepreneurial journey. I’ve put them all together a free PDF aptly called the Four Keys to Success in Starting Your Own Business.

I’d love to give you a free copy, so you can avoid some of the common pitfalls that trip people up as they’re starting something on the side. Download your copy today at www.morethanapastor.com/keys.

Links for Today's Show

• Watch this Episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/GChGyeVYNWw
  
• Free PDF: Four Keys to Success in Starting Your Own Business
• My Last Post: Greg Atkinson on the Secret Power of Kindness, Entrepreneurship, and the Future of the Church
• Want to Support the Show? Buy Me a Coffee

Hey what's good my friend? Welcome to the More Than a Pastor Show. I’m Rich Avery, your host. This is the show where we help pastors, missionaries, and other ministry leaders grow your income and build financial security. We help you take your skills, experience, and ministry know-how and leverage them into sustainable income outside of the church, through a business or side hustle that’s right for you. So you can serve God and provide for your family, no matter what.

Deciding to pursue a business or side hustle is an exciting step toward earning extra income. However, finding the time to launch and grow your venture alongside your regular job can be challenging.

In this episode, we will discuss practical strategies to help you find time and use it effectively to make progress on your entrepreneurial goals.

I believe that by optimizing your schedule and making conscious choices, you can find the time you need to build your dream business, even if it’s just 5, 10, or 15 hours a week.

6 Strategies for Finding the Time to Launch and Grow Your Business or Side Hustle

1. Create a Realistic Expectation of Your Time Availability

Before diving into your side hustle, it’s important to take time to assess your availability realistically. Consider your main job responsibilities and your commitments to your family and personal life. Then determine how many hours per week you can realistically dedicate to your business idea. This evaluation will help you set reasonable expectations and plan your schedule accordingly.

Finding the ideal number of hours to invest in your business can be key to gaining momentum and achieving tangible results. While the exact amount varies for each individual, many budding entrepreneurs find that committing at least 15 hours per week is the "sweet spot."

This level of dedication provides the necessary momentum to overcome fears and take decisive actions that move your business forward. But you can start a business or side hustle with as little as 10 or even 5 hours a week. It all depends on the type of business it is.

2. Schedule Dedicated Time Blocks

Many people find that working in concentrated chunks of time, such as three to four hours, allows for more productivity compared to shorter, fragmented periods. Identify specific days and times during the week when you can commit to your business, and block them out on your calendar. By treating these time blocks as non-negotiable appointments, you can create a routine that supports your entrepreneurial endeavors.

You may already do this in your ministry work, especially when it comes to sermon or lesson planning. It can be so much more effective to work in blocks and get “in the zone” for an extended period of time, rather than switching roles or tasks every hour or so.

3. Streamline Your Ministry Work

Pastors often face the challenge of balancing our ministry responsibilities with launching a business or side hustle. To create time for your entrepreneurial pursuits, look for ways you can become more efficient with your ministry work.

Discuss with your church the possibility of setting more realistic expectations for your hours based on your compensation. Some pastors have full-time expectations but part-time pay. If that’s you, and you can’t negotiate for more pay, negotiate for more time, which you can put into your business.

Many pastors work way more for the church than they should: 50-60 hours a week or more. If that’s you, look for ways to delegate more responsibilities to others. By finding a better balance, you can allocate more time to your business without sacrificing your pastoral duties or family life.

Also, look at where you spend the most time in your week, and see if there are ways you can do moire in less time:

1. Make Meetings More Effective
   Meetings can consume a significant portion of a pastor's time. However, not all meetings are equally productive. Evaluate the meetings you regularly attend and identify ways to make them more meaningful and less time-consuming. Eliminate unnecessary meetings and ensure that those you do participate in have clear objectives, agendas, and processes for defining action points and holding individuals accountable.
2. Streamline Sermon Preparation
   Sermon preparation is another area where pastors can reclaim valuable time. While dedicating sufficient time to crafting impactful messages is important, finding efficiencies can help you make the most of your available hours. Consider streamlining your sermon prep process by using planning days to work on multiple messages within a series. By optimizing your approach, you can reduce the time spent on sermon preparation while maintaining its quality.

4. Leverage Downtime and Repurpose Content

Look for opportunities to repurpose downtime and transform it into productive time for your business. Cut back on non-essential activities like excessive TV watching and redirect that time toward your entrepreneurial pursuits. Additionally, leverage the skills you already possess and repurpose content you have created in the past. By maximizing existing resources, you can save time and make progress more efficiently.

5. Focus on What You Need to Learn & Do Now

As you’re just starting out, it's essential to be selective and prioritize tasks that are critical at this stage. Avoid getting caught up in learning skills or acquiring knowledge that may be useful someday but are not immediately necessary. Focus on what truly matters for your business now and allocate your time accordingly. Being ruthless with your time management will help you make meaningful progress toward your goals.

6. Involve Your Family

When juggling multiple responsibilities, involving your family in your entrepreneurial journey can strengthen both your business and your relationships. Seek ways to work together, whether it's brainstorming ideas, collaborating on projects, or supporting each other's endeavors. By integrating your business into your family life, you can find synergies and create a sense of shared purpose.

Everyone Can Find the Time to Launch a Business

Finding the time to launch your own business or side hustle may seem daunting, but with careful planning and efficient time management, it's absolutely possible. By assessing your availability, scheduling dedicated time blocks, streamlining existing commitments, and involving your family, you can create the space needed to pursue your entrepreneurial dreams. Even if it's just 15 hours or less per week! Remember, success comes not only from finding time but also from making the most of it. Start now, and watch your business grow.

Application & Action

So, what do you think? Have you found these things to be helpful already? I hope this episode has been a help to you in some way. If so, please let me know, and tell someone else about it too. You can email me at [email protected] or leave me a review at apple podcasts or wherever it is that you listen to or watch the show.

I talk more about the issue of time, and other keys to success, in my free PDF entitled, the 4 Keys to Success in Starting Your Own Business. If you want to learn how to start strong and stay motivated in your ministry work and your entrepreneurial journey, be sure to grab your copy today at www.morethanapastor.com/keys.