Podcast Summary: The $100 MBA Show – MBA2588 Q&A Wednesday: How Many Hours Should I Be Working On My Side Hustle?
Host: Omar Zenhom
Episode Title: MBA2588 Q&A Wednesday: How Many Hours Should I Be Working On My Side Hustle?
Release Date: February 19, 2025
Podcast Description: Awarded Best of Apple Podcasts, The $100 MBA Show delivers practical business lessons for the real world. These no-fluff episodes are packed with only the pure business-building training you want.
Introduction
In Episode MBA2588 of The $100 MBA Show, host Omar Zenhom addresses a crucial question from a listener named Perry: "How many hours should I be working on my side hustle?" Released on February 19, 2025, this episode delves deep into finding the optimal balance between time investment and productivity to ensure meaningful progress without burning out.
Understanding the Commitment
Omar begins by sharing his personal experience, revealing that he balanced a teaching career for a decade while bootstrapping multiple businesses. This firsthand insight underscores the significance of effective time management when juggling a side hustle alongside other commitments.
Notable Quote:
"I'm trying to figure out what's the right balance between time and effort to make meaningful progress. I don't want to be spending my wheels and wasting my years."
(Timestamp: 02:30)
The Minimum Investment: 10 Hours a Week
Omar asserts that dedicating a minimum of 10 hours per week to your side hustle is essential for gaining traction and building momentum. He emphasizes that lower time investments, such as 5 or 6 hours weekly, often fail to produce significant results.
Key Points:
- Momentum Matters: Consistent effort leads to steady progress. Less than 10 hours may impede momentum.
- Competitive Landscape: While many are putting in 40-80 hours weekly, starting with 10 hours sets a foundation for growth.
- Validation and Growth: 10 hours allow for idea validation, initial sales, and foundational business development.
Notable Quote:
"10 deep work-focused hours is better than 20 distracted ones."
(Timestamp: 05:45)
Focus Over Quantity
Omar stresses that quality trumps quantity when it comes to working hours. It's not merely about the number of hours but how effectively those hours are utilized.
Key Points:
- Laser Focus: Engage in uninterrupted, deep work during the allocated time.
- Avoid Distractions: Limit distractions like phone notifications or non-essential internet browsing.
- Intentional Time: Prioritize tasks that directly contribute to business growth, such as product development, sales, and marketing.
Notable Quote:
"10 deep work-focused hours is better than 20 distracted ones."
(Timestamp: 06:15)
Structuring Your 10 Hours
To maximize productivity, Omar advises structuring the 10 hours into manageable blocks:
- Weekday Evenings: Allocate 2 hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays for focused work sessions.
- Weekend Session: Dedicate 6 hours on Saturdays, split into two 3-hour blocks with breaks in between.
Key Tips:
- Session Length: Keep work sessions between 90 minutes to 3 hours to maintain optimal focus without fatigue.
- Task Planning: Outline specific tasks each week to ensure purposeful work sessions.
- Flexibility: While 10 hours is the minimum, adjust based on personal schedules and capacity.
Notable Quote:
"Keep your work sessions between 90 minutes and three hours. No less, no more."
(Timestamp: 09:20)
Choosing the Right Environment
The work environment significantly impacts productivity. Omar recommends:
- Avoid Workplace: Do not work on your side hustle using your primary job’s resources or environment.
- Opt for Distraction-Free Zones: Consider coworking spaces, public libraries, or a dedicated home office.
- Change of Scenery: A separate workspace can enhance focus and discipline, especially in the early stages.
Key Points:
- Coworking Spaces: Provide amenities like reliable internet, good lighting, and a professional atmosphere.
- Home Considerations: If working from home, ensure a designated, distraction-free area separate from living spaces.
- Discipline Building: A consistent environment helps reinforce a productive mindset.
Notable Quote:
"When you're getting the ball rolling, you want zero ways for you to be distracted."
(Timestamp: 10:50)
The Pillar of Consistency
Arguably the most critical component, consistency, underpins successful side hustling. Omar highlights that consistent effort yields better long-term results than sporadic intense work sessions.
Key Points:
- Steady Progress: Regular work builds upon previous efforts, leading to cumulative growth.
- Sacrifice and Discipline: Consistently dedicating time may require sacrificing occasional leisure activities.
- Mindset Shift: Treat side hustle hours as non-negotiable appointments or debts to oneself.
Notable Quote:
"Success happens when you do the work, regardless of how you feel or what else is being thrown at you."
(Timestamp: 14:05)
Action Plan for Side Hustlers
Omar concludes the episode with a six-step action plan to effectively manage and grow your side hustle:
-
Set a Schedule:
- Allocate a minimum of 10 hours weekly.
- Schedule these hours on your calendar as non-negotiable commitments.
-
Prioritize Tasks:
- Focus on high-impact activities like creating, selling, and marketing.
-
Protect Your Time:
- Inform family and friends about your dedicated work hours to minimize interruptions.
-
Track Your Progress:
- Maintain a journal to log weekly achievements and reflect on progress.
-
Choose a Dedicated Workspace:
- Select a distraction-free environment that fosters productivity.
-
Commit Fully:
- Adhere to your schedule consistently for at least six to eight weeks to observe tangible progress.
Key Points:
- Consistency Over Time: Even minimal consistent effort leads to significant advancements.
- Habituation: Regular dedicated hours help in building discipline and embedding the side hustle into your routine.
Notable Quote:
"Commit to this plan. See it work for you, get some results."
(Timestamp: 17:10)
Conclusion
Omar Zenhom effectively addresses the challenge of determining the optimal time investment for side hustles. By advocating for a minimum of 10 focused hours per week, structured into manageable blocks, and emphasizing the importance of a conducive work environment and unwavering consistency, he provides a comprehensive roadmap for aspiring entrepreneurs. This episode serves as a valuable guide for anyone seeking to balance a side hustle with existing commitments, ensuring steady progress toward their entrepreneurial goals.
Additional Resources:
- Submit Your Questions: Listeners are encouraged to submit their business-related questions at 100mba.net/q for future Q&A sessions.
- Newsletter Subscription: For ongoing guidance, sign up for the free newsletter at 100mba.net, offering actionable insights, weekly coaching, and business tips directly to your inbox.
Notable Quote:
"If you're consistent, I would say for about six to eight weeks, you're going to start seeing some progress."
(Timestamp: 17:55)
About the Host:
Omar Zenhom brings over 20 years of entrepreneurship experience to The $100 MBA Show. Having successfully bootstrapped two multi-million dollar businesses, Omar shares actionable lessons on idea validation, audience building, marketing, sales, and reinvestment, tailored for individuals with limited resources seeking to start, grow, and scale their businesses.
For more information, visit 100mba.net.