Balancing a Full-Time Job & a Side Business (Spoiler: It’s Not Easy!)

Let’s be real—when I decided to start Rise Up Designs while working full-time, I thought:

💭 "I’ll just work on my business in my free time. How hard could it be?"

😂 Oh, past me… how adorably clueless you were. (SMH)

Because here’s the truth: Balancing a full-time job AND a side business is HARD. Some days, I feel like a productivity queen, knocking out orders, scheduling posts, and managing my Etsy shop like a boss.

And other days? I feel like I’m just surviving on caffeine and vibes.

If you’re juggling both, you’re not alone. Here’s what I’ve learned about managing the chaos.

1. Time Management is a Myth (Kind Of)

I used to think time management meant following a perfectly planned schedule where I worked on my business only during certain hours.

HAHA. That's sooooo cute.

The reality? Life doesn’t care about your perfectly planned schedule. Some days, I have time and energy to get a ton done. Other days, I just want to eat snacks and stare at the wall.

💡 What works instead?

• Prioritizing tasks (What actually needs to get done vs. what can wait?)
• Batch working (Knocking out multiple tasks at once—like scheduling social media posts for the week.)
• Embracing flexibility (If I have unexpected free time, I use it wisely. If I don’t? I give myself grace.)

2. Saying “No” is a Productivity Hack

When you’re running a side business, your time is limited—so you have to protect it fiercely.

❌ Saying yes to every social event? Nope.
❌ Taking on custom orders that drain my creativity? Not happening.
❌ Trying to be on every social media platform at once? Absolutely not.

💡 What works instead?

• Focusing on what moves the needle (Etsy listings, content creation, actual sales—NOT busywork!)
• Setting boundaries (My side business is important, but so is rest!)
• Choosing quality over quantity (I’d rather have 3 amazing products than 20 rushed ones.)

3. Guilt is Inevitable—But It’s Not Helpful

One of the hardest parts? Feeling like I’m always neglecting something.

📌 If I focus on my side business, I feel guilty about work.
📌 If I focus on work, I feel guilty about not growing my business faster.
📌 If I take a break, I feel guilty about everything.

Sound familiar? Arg! The Cycle!

💡 Here’s the mindset shift that helps:
I remind myself that I’m building something for the long term.
I don’t have to do everything today. Progress is still progress—even if it’s slow.

4. Motivation Comes and Goes—Discipline is What Matters

Let’s be honest: some days, I’m fired up and ready to work on my business. Other days? I’d rather scroll TikTok, binge watch Netflix and pretend my to-do list doesn’t exist.

The secret? Not relying on motivation.

💡 What works instead?

• Having a small, daily habit. (Even if I do one tiny task—like responding to messages—I’ve made progress.)
• Creating non-negotiables. (For example, I always update Etsy listings on Sundays. No excuses.)
• Reminding myself of my “why.” (This side business isn’t just a hobby—it’s something I love and want to grow!)

5. The Best Part? It’s Worth It.

Yes, balancing a full-time job and a side business is a lot. Some days feel overwhelming. Some weeks are exhausting.

But you know what makes it worth it?
✨ Seeing people love something I created.
✨ Knowing I’m building something that’s mine.
✨ Feeling proud of every small step forward.

If you’re in the middle of the juggle, just know—you’re not alone. Keep going, keep learning, and remember - it doesn’t have to be perfect; it just has to be yours.

Are you balancing a job and a side business? How do you manage it all? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear!

📌 Shop my designs here🛒

Until next time,
Jecca