183: How to Finally Follow Through on a Side Hustle

If you’ve been thinking about starting or growing a side hustle but haven’t yet followed through, you’ll want to check out this episode.

Here I share a simple two-step accountability process I’ve used myself many times to move from talking about taking action, to actually doing it. I walk you through;

• how I create forward progress,
• why keeping your word matters so much, and
• how this approach helps you actually stay in motion on your side hustle without overcomplicating things or getting stuck in planning mode.

Do you like what you're hearing? Consider giving it a caffeinated thumbs up. We'd really appreciate it!

Need a little (and sometimes big) push to start and stay focused to grow your side hustle? Dive into my online Masterclass: How To Turn Your Thoughts Into Wanted Things.

Be on the show!

https://www.sidehustlehero.com/guests/intake/

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Why It’s Hard to Follow Through on a Side Hustle

If you’ve ever found yourself thinking about starting or growing a side hustle for months or even years, you’re not alone., 

Days are already full. Work, family, commitments, routines, all take precedence. And when a side hustle involves learning new skills or doing things you’ve never done before, it’s easy to keep pushing it to “later.”

This is common! But at some point, recognizing that pattern matters, because awareness is what gives you the chance to change it.

Why Decision Is the Difference Between Thinking and Doing

Thinking is comfortable. You can think about an idea forever without risking anything.

Decision is different. A decision closes the door on endless consideration and forces you to act. Until a decision is made, progress is optional. Once a decision is made, progress becomes expected.

This is why many side hustles never get off the ground. It's because the decision to actually move forward never gets made.

Deciding doesn’t mean you have everything figured out. It means you’ve chosen to take action, even while some of the details are still unclear.

A Simple Two-Step Process to Follow Through on a Side Hustle

This is the process I’ve used myself and shared with others when they’re stuck in the "thinking about it" stage. It’s simple, tested, and it works.

Choosing the Right Accountability Partner

The first step is choosing one person you genuinely respect. Someone whose opinion matters to you. Someone you wouldn’t want to disappoint.

This person is not there to coach you, brainstorm with you, or help you do the work. Their role is minimal. They’re there because when you give your word to someone you respect, you’re far more likely to keep it.

Every two weeks, you send them a short email with one subject line: Successes and Commitments. You briefly share what you completed in the last two weeks and what you’re committing to next.

That’s it.

Keeping Your Commitments Small and Clear

The second step is deciding what you will actually do in the next two weeks ... not what you hope to do, and not what sounds impressive.

If you followed my guide, Smart Start: From Idea To It's Live In Seven Steps, you've already determined how much time you're able to realistically allocate to your side hustle.

Clear, realistic commitments matter more than ambitious ones. This might be defining your psychographics of your ideal client, outlining an offer, booking a call, or taking one concrete step you’ve been avoiding.

Two weeks later, you report back honestly. Did you do what you said you would do? Then you set your next commitments.

This rhythm continues until you reach the milestone you decided on at the beginning.

Why Integrity Is the Real Driver of Follow-Through

This process works because it taps into something deeper than motivation.

For me, integrity matters. When I give my word, I follow through. Not because someone is watching, but because it’s how I choose to go through life.

By committing something to another person, you’re no longer negotiating only with yourself. You’re honouring your word, and that changes how seriously you take the work.

When You No Longer Need an Accountability Partner

The milestone you choose is personal. For some projects, it makes sense to keep this structure in place all the way to launch. For others, you may only need it to get going.

Through experience, I’ve learned that once I'm deep into a project and other people are involved (editors, collaborators, scheduled commitments), I will follow through. At that point, my integrity and the commitments I’ve made to others are enough to carry me forward.

That self-awareness allows you to adjust the process to fit you.

How to Keep Taking Action Until You Reach Your Milestone

Follow-through is key.

When you’ve made a decision, chosen a simple structure, and committed in a way that matters to you, progress becomes steady instead of sporadic.

If you’ve been thinking about starting or growing a side hustle for a while, consider whether what’s missing. Have you made the decision to proceed? Are you committed? If you can honestly answer yes to both, you're well on your way.

That’s often the difference between staying in your head and finally moving forward. Your next move? Find your accountability partner today.

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