Finding time for a side hustle might feel impossible when your calendar is already overflowing with school runs, meetings, and endless to-do lists. But here’s the thing: you can carve out five focused hours a week without sacrificing your sanity or family time.
Five hours might not sound like much, but over weeks and months, it adds up to real progress. Whether you’re building an online shop, writing a book, or offering coaching services, consistent effort—even in small doses—can create momentum.
This guide will show you where to find those hours, how to protect them fiercely, and how to make them count. Ready to reclaim your time and watch your side hustle grow? Let’s dive in.
Why Five Hours a Week is More Powerful Than You Think
Small Consistent Efforts Lead to Big Results
As James Clear explains in Atomic Habits, “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” Five hours a week isn’t about grand gestures; it’s about showing up consistently.
Even if you dedicate just one hour a day, five days a week, the cumulative impact can be transformational.
The Compound Effect of Focused Work
Author Darren Hardy, in The Compound Effect, highlights how small, consistent actions compound over time. He writes, “Small, smart choices, consistently applied over time, create radical differences.” This principle is especially true for carving out time for your side hustle.
- One hour a day = 260 hours a year.
- That’s more than six full work weeks dedicated to your side hustle.
But how do you apply this principle practically? Here’s a step-by-step breakdown inspired by Hardy’s philosophy:
- Identify Your Key Objective: Be clear about what you want to achieve with your side hustle in the next three months.
- Break It Down: Divide your larger goal into weekly and daily tasks.
- Schedule Non-Negotiable Time Blocks: Carve out 1 hour per day, five days a week, and protect this time fiercely.
- Focus on High-Impact Tasks: Use your side hustle hours for the tasks that move the needle the most—whether it’s creating a product, marketing, or client outreach.
- Track Your Progress: Keep a simple log or checklist to monitor your daily achievements.
- Adjust and Improve: Regularly review your system. Are your hours effective? What needs tweaking?
As Hardy emphasises, “Success is not doing 5,000 things really well. Success is doing a few things really well, 5,000 times.” Consistency is your superpower here. Small steps, taken regularly, will build unstoppable momentum and lead to meaningful progress.
Identifying Hidden Time in Your Weekly Routine

Auditing Your Current Schedule
Before you can carve out time, you need to know where it’s going.
- Spend one week tracking your time.
- Identify ‘time leaks’ (e.g., excessive social media scrolling, long commutes, TV marathons).
- Highlight underused slots—early mornings, lunch breaks, or evenings.
Finding Time in Small Pockets of Your Day
Time doesn’t always come in big chunks. Look for small windows:
- 30 minutes before the kids wake up.
- During your child’s football practice.
- Instead of watching that extra Netflix episode.
Little pockets of time can add up to an hour (or more) each day.
Setting Boundaries to Protect Your Side Hustle Time

Communicating Your Side Hustle Hours to Family
Be clear with your family about your side hustle schedule.
- Let them know when you’ll be unavailable.
- Frame it as an investment in your shared future.
Creating a Dedicated Space for Focused Work
Even if it’s just a corner of your kitchen table, create a ‘work zone.’
- Keep essentials nearby.
- Make it visually separate from other home activities.
Productivity Techniques to Maximise Limited Time
The Power of Time-Blocking
Time-blocking means scheduling every minute of your side hustle hours.
- Dedicate specific hours for focused tasks.
- Honour these blocks as you would an important meeting.
Using the Pomodoro Technique for Efficiency
The Pomodoro Technique is perfect for short bursts of productivity:
- Work for 25 minutes.
- Take a 5-minute break.
- Repeat.
It’s simple, effective, and helps avoid burnout.
Making Smart Trade-Offs Without Guilt
Saying No to Non-Essential Commitments
Every ‘yes’ to something non-essential is a ‘no’ to your side hustle.
- Politely decline activities that don’t align with your goals.
- Protect your time unapologetically.
Automating and Delegating Tasks
Save time by:
- Automating social media posts.
- Using task management tools.
- Delegating chores at home.
Keeping Motivation High When Time is Limited
Celebrating Small Wins
Progress deserves recognition.
- Celebrate milestones, no matter how small.
- Reward yourself for sticking to your schedule.
Staying Connected to Your ‘Why’
In Find Your Why by Simon Sinek, he writes, “When we work hard for something we don’t believe in, it’s called stress. When we work hard for something we love, it’s called passion.” Your ‘why’ is the emotional anchor that keeps you grounded when time is short, energy is low, and distractions are high.
Step-by-Step Guide to Finding and Staying Connected to Your ‘Why’
- Reflect on Your Core Motivation: Ask yourself, “Why did I start this side hustle in the first place?” Is it for financial freedom, creative fulfilment, or to set an example for your children?
- Write a Personal ‘Why’ Statement: Craft a sentence that sums up your purpose. For example, “I’m building this business to create a flexible future for my family and pursue my passion for design.”
- Set Tangible Goals Aligned with Your ‘Why’: Break your larger purpose into small, achievable milestones.
- Create Visual Reminders: Place sticky notes with your ‘why’ in visible spots—your workspace, bathroom mirror, or phone wallpaper.
- Review Regularly: Set aside five minutes each week to revisit your ‘why.’ Ask yourself if your recent efforts align with your purpose.
- Share Your ‘Why’: Talk to friends, family, or accountability partners about your purpose—they’ll help remind you when you forget.
When your side hustle feels like one more thing on your to-do list, reconnecting with your ‘why’ will reignite your motivation and give your work deeper meaning. As Sinek says, “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.” Your ‘why’ isn’t just for you—it’s also what will resonate with your audience and customers.
The Takeaway
Five hours a week might not seem like much, but it’s enough to start a blog, launch an Etsy shop, or grow a coaching business. The key lies in consistency, intentionality, and protecting those hours like gold.
Start small, stay committed, and remember: your side hustle deserves a spot on your calendar.