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When Life Gets in the Way, Take 5!

Life’s busy, right? Between your day job, personal life, and what can seem like a neverending list of responsibilities, it's easy to feel like your side hustle always comes last. But what if I told you that five minutes could make a difference? Yes, even just 5 minutes!

I was inspired by Chris Guillebeau’s recent newsletter about the 5-Minute To-Do List—a concept where you keep a list of small tasks that can be knocked out in 5 minutes or less. It’s perfect for those moments when you have a tiny pocket of time and want to take advantage without feeling overwhelmed.

As someone who is constantly juggling a full-time job, caregiving for my grandmother, and my business, I've learned that small pockets of time are gold. So, as I continued to develop my own 5-minute list, I figured “Why not create a version of this specifically for other jugglers like myself?”

This list is designed to help you “Take 5” throughout your day and turn small moments into meaningful progress on your side hustle.

For Motivation (when you need a quick boost)

• Write down one tiny win from the past week (no matter how small)
• Create a folder of screenshots with positive customer feedback to revisit when you need a smile 
• Listen to some upbeat music to get energized
• Make a quick list of 3 reasons why you started your side hustle (or review that list for a reminder to keep going)
• Record a voice note hyping yourself up (or if you’re a ChatGPT fan, ask it to describe you as if it were your drunk bestie. Trust me, it’s fun!)
• Find and save an inspirational quote that resonates with your current season. (this tool is great for resurfacing quotes from books!)
• Grab one of my mini pep talks!

For Prioritizing Tasks (when you feel overwhelmed)

• Make a visual schedule to see where you can fit in side hustle time
• Do a brain dump of everything that’s on your mind, then circle the ONE thing that matters most
• Choose one task to finish today (even if it’s a small part of a bigger project)
• Reschedule tasks that don’t need to be done right now
• Create a “Done” list to celebrate the progress you’ve made.
• Think through a typical day and figure out what times you are most productive.  Block out 15 minutes of that slot for side hustle tasks tomorrow.
• Check your inbox and clear out distractions. Email can feel overwhelming at times, but a tool like this one can help. It helps you focus on the most important emails and filter out the rest.

For Working at Your Own Pace (when you feel behind)

• Give yourself permission to take breaks and recharge. Tomorrow is another day.
• Take a photo of your workspace/progress to document your journey (this becomes a powerful reminder of how far you've come)
• Unfollow or unsubscribe from accounts or people that make you feel behind
• Write down one reason your current pace is right for you and your circumstances
• Ask for more time on a deadline that’s causing you stress (most people are more understanding than you'd expect)
• Create a “not doing right now” list — a parking lot for your ideas so you don't forget them

For Focusing on What Matters (when time is limited)

• Help Future You by asking: “What can I do now to make my life easier later?” 
• Figure out your most important task that needs to get done today and commit to working on it for 5 minutes
• Check your calendar and block out two 15-minute slots of “side hustle time” this week
• Pick one task that you can batch with similar tasks to save time (e.g phone calls, social media posts)
• Look at your to-do list and see if there is something you can delegate (e.g. could you order dinner or ask a friend to handle an errand?)
• Set a timer, clear out distractions, and do just one of these 5-minute activities

For Marketing without Overwhelm (when you need visibility)

• Set up a Google Alert for your industry keywords so you can stay informed
• Share one quick tip, insight, or win on your preferred platform
• Make a list of 3 simple ways people can work with you (write it on a post-it note and stick it on your laptop)
• Reach out to 1-2 folks that you could collaborate with
• Record a quick voice note with a content idea to work on later
• Create a simple email signature that promotes your business – include your services and website link (it's a simple way to market without directly marketing)  Bonus: it works even when you’re not directly marketing!)

Why This Approach Works for Side Hustlers

The beauty of these 5-minute tasks isn't just that they're quick. It's that they help you:

1. Maintain momentum even during busy seasons
2. Break through some of that mind gunk when you're feeling stuck
3. Build consistency without needing big chunks of time
4. Reduce overwhelm by focusing on just one small action
5. Create progress that motivates you to keep going

How to Make “Take 5” Work for You

• Start with your biggest pain point. Feeling unmotivated? “Take 5” to boost your mood. Overwhelmed by marketing? “Take 5” to make it easier.
• Keep this list somewhere visible or create your own version of this list on your phone.
• Don't try to do everything. Pick just ONE thing that feels right for today.
• Track your 5-minute wins in a simple journal or notes app. After a month, you'll be amazed at how much you've accomplished.

Remember, slow progress is still progress. Every 5-minute action adds up to meaningful momentum over time.

Think about what’s weighing on you right now or what your side hustle needs most. Which of these tasks would help YOU move forward today? What would you add?

Let me know in the comments!

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