I'm struggling, How do you find time for side projects?

Do something every day for it even if it's just 5 mins. Momentum is key and missing two days in a row is a huge momentum killer. Even if it's just 5 mins, the impact of that 5 mins goes beyond that day. It's all about keeping momentum. I've been working on my side project for 2.5 years and there have been plenty of days when I didn't have motivation. Getting started each day is always the hardest part. Don't make it harder for yourself by feeling like you need to do an hour of deep work on it every day.

It's like the saying "there is only one way to eat an elephant: one bite at a time"

If you really want to do it, you'll make the time. I spent a lt of all nighters working on side projects and/or work projects, often starting on them AFTER my family goes to sleep.

If you really want to do the side projects you will find the time.
Also, remember you don't need 8 hours a day to work on a side project. Often 1-2 hours before or after your family goes to sleep or your lunch break is enough to keep going. Small chunks of time every day consistently add up over months or years: 2 hours per day over a month is 60 hours, over a year it's 730 hours. That's enough to get a solid MVP up and running over a couple months, or even the start of a larger polished project over a year. Don't think it has to be completed 'immediately'.

Use the limited time you have. Find hours before or after the family sleeps. BE CONSISTENT. Remember that consistent small chunks of time add up over the long haul.

Good luck!

I think I can answer that pretty good.
So, the key is to establish routine.
E.g. I wake up at 4:30 and go to sleep at 20:30. No exceptions. Just go to bed at 20:00.
After I wake up I go for a run. It gives dopamine, which keeps habit going.

Once you have such routine, you will have ton of free time.
I put 2-2.5 hours daily into my side project. It is so integrated into my habit my brain does not even question it.

Try it)!

It needs to be something you find joy in doing. Like a escape button from other stuff. If you are not feeling motivated. Just dont do it right now. Be around your wife and son and when you feel you have the energy to push through you do it. Baby steps.

It is a constant struggle. Especially, if you have small kids because there is no way you can keep a routine for longer (sickness, holidays, ..) and you will feel exhausted by the end of the day.

For some time, I started to get up early because at 5am I had the energy to do stuff and nobody was bothering me. It was awesome! Now, my kids get up really early too, so it doesn't make sense for me anymore. Instead, we play, I have a coffee and when my wife gets finally up, I go for a run and set aside some time during the day for my projects. As we are moving to a small village soon and my wife is changing her job, I wonder how my next routine will look like...

• Taking care of physical and mental health is a #1 priority
• Find some time to work on your side project. Consistency is key but it does not mean every day is the same! Instead, it is important to be consistent in the long run
• Acknowledging the fact that there are always things that throw you off your routine means you manage your expectations better

I am sure you'll find your way :)

For me this comes down to purpose.

When I was doing copywriting, or building an online shop, I felt like you do right now.

But once I found my true meaning in writing and teaching, energy was never a problem.
Every free minute I was sitting at the laptop.

In fact, you run into another problem at this point. Spending more time with the fam instead of working because you just can't stop.

So, what you need isn't more time, you need to be on your purpose.
Meaning, your current side project might just not be it, or you haven't discovered the direction it needs yet.

Finding time for side projects can be challenging, especially when you have other commitments like work, family, or studies. However, with effective time management and prioritization, you can make progress on your side projects. Here are some tips to help you find time for side projects:

Set clear goals: Define your objectives for the side project and break them down into smaller tasks. Having a clear vision will help you stay focused and motivated.

Evaluate your schedule: Assess your current schedule and identify pockets of time that can be dedicated to your side project. Look for opportunities like early mornings, evenings, weekends, or lunch breaks.

Prioritize and eliminate distractions: Determine what activities or commitments you can temporarily reduce or eliminate to make time for your side project. This might involve cutting back on certain leisure activities, TV time, or social media usage.

Create a routine: Establish a regular routine for working on your side project. Designate specific time slots each week and stick to them as much as possible. Consistency is key to making progress.

Break tasks into smaller chunks: If your side project seems overwhelming, break it down into smaller, manageable tasks. Focus on completing one task at a time, and celebrate small victories along the way.

Maximize idle time: Identify moments throughout the day when you have short periods of downtime, such as commuting or waiting in line. Utilize these moments to review project materials, brainstorm ideas, or jot down notes.

Delegate or outsource tasks: If certain aspects of your side project can be delegated or outsourced, consider doing so. For example, you can hire freelancers or collaborate with others who have complementary skills.

Stay organized: Keep your project materials, notes, and resources well-organized. This will save time and make it easier to jump back into your work whenever you have a spare moment.

Be realistic and flexible: Recognize that you have limited time and energy, and be realistic about what you can accomplish. Adjust your expectations and be flexible with your timeline if needed.

Stay motivated and committed: Remind yourself of the reasons why you started the side project in the first place. Find sources of inspiration, seek support from others, and celebrate milestones to stay motivated and committed.

Remember, finding time for side projects requires discipline, dedication, and effective time management. It may involve sacrifices and trade-offs, but with proper planning and perseverance, you can make progress on your side projects.

I usually just focus on working on a specific feature once a week, unless I have more time from a holiday or a slow day at work. This gives me enough time for testing, deployment, and development without feeling too burned . The best thing about side projects is you can do whatever at your own pace

I had a very high paying job which used to also be exhaustive. I was happy financially but I had no intent to work on my startup after job. So I decided to put a high percentage of the earnings aside and after a while, I quit and started my startup. The money I had left was enough to sustain me my wife and my baby for 3 to 5 years but I only gave myself 1 year for the startup. Some will always say that you can do it in your spare time. No. If you're serious about it, a startup requires lots of attention, more than the actual fulltime job. So you can consider this option if you have the finances to support your expenses.

I find this challenging too especially as I have many ideas. The best way to make progress is to think of your goal in the long run. My goal by the end of the year is to get to 1,000 subscribers with my newsletter.

For me two things:

1. you need to be genuinely interested in the problem you are solving
2. evidence based planning: organise you week like a sprint, have a planning, commit to X tickets, measure sprint completion, then plan the next sprint based upon time available.

It sure helps when you are single and without kids. However, I have a girlfriend but she's also into doing side projects. So basically our routine is to wake up, and have 2 hours before our daily jobs to work on our side projects.

Then we work from 9-5, work out from 5-6 and then dine, and have like 2 hours before bed to work on whatever.

If I have a particularly stressful day at work, I just go play video games instead.

I am working on a project with two other friends to make it easier for everyone, no idea how it will be when the project starts getting real customers though.

My girlfriend and I chill on Saturdays because if not life would be very stressful.

I'm also working to save up to 1 year's worth of salary to make my side hustles full-time.

I think slow and steady wins the race... I'm realising it's better for me to chip away over time.

I've decided to change from full time to part time so that I can focus on my startup. I also sacrificed a lot of time with leisure time.

Set your alarm 🔔 a bit earlier and claim the quiet hours of the morning as your sacred project time. While the world slumbers, you'll have uninterrupted focus and a fresh mind to tackle your tasks.

It's important to prioritize your well-being and the relationships you hold dear. If your current job is draining your energy to the extent that it affects your ability to pursue your passion and be present with your loved ones, it might be a sign that a change is necessary.

Ultimately, if your side project is your true passion and you find it challenging to dedicate time to it due to exhaustion from your current job, don't be afraid to explore alternative career paths.

Life is too short to ignore the callings of our hearts and deny ourselves the opportunity to explore what truly brings us joy and fulfillment. Regret often stems from not having taken the chance to pursue our passions and see where they could lead.

Embracing your side project as more than just a hobby, but as a potential career path might just be the perspective you need to take.

I understand that it can be challenging to be an indiehacker, but when we immerse ourselves in activities that ignite our enthusiasm, we tap into our full potential. We unlock a boundless source of motivation and drive that propels us forward, even during challenging times.

Let the pursuit of your passion guide you!

Everyone has something different that works for them, you just figured out that working on it after your job is not gonna happen. Personally, I work a bit on it every day after my job (while having a girlfriend and a few cats that need some attention too) and in the weekends I do the bulk of it. That just happens to work for me.

As others have said, mornings are good. When I had a job, the couple of hours before work began was when I had the most energy. I don't think you need to wake up at 4:30 though... if you wake up at 6 and start work at 9, you can still get a lot of stuff done. I tried the 5am routine, and it did not work at all for me. 6 is the earliest I can wake up and not be a zombie.

Yes, it’s hard.

Similar situations here. One full time job and two kids. I work on my side project when my kids sleep, and stay up late. Every time I work on it or think about it, I’m excited. So I guess it wouldn’t work if it’s not something I really wish to build.

Best wishes and good luck!

Sounds similar to me. Usually, I woke up at 4:30 am to start working and continue learning new things daily basis. I also don't have much time to work on side projects but after waking up at 4:30 am I try to work for 1-2 hours. It can seem little but day by day it adds up. My personal suggestion will be to try to wake up before everyone else and start working. You can try 5 am or 5:30 and find what works for you. By the way, you need to have coffee to run all day also first few days will be exhausted.

Sometimes you got to take the plunge.

When I've taken the plunge, I've tried my best to make sure it aligns with my partner, and my values (what do I want my kids to see in me).

I wake up early when both wife and son asleep to have some deep work time. Used to work late in evening/night but usually exhausted (like you said after work). Found that sleeping and waking early helps, at least I start off slightly refreshed

One thing I have implemented is to reduce things I need to remember leaving the feeling of incomplete tasks = brain power. I try and really process things that are important and filter other things into the do-later-pile. I apply this daily for everything, work, personal etc which then frees up more time to work on a side project. I also use this system with the side project itself. For me being structured is easier to deal with than not. Everyone is different though. Goodluck and let us know how you progress.

I also struggle with this and it's not easy. For me there's been two practices that have been absolute key in meeting some of those side project goals:

1. After work I know most days I will be too tired, plus I need to spend time with my family. So instead I wake up at 5/6am in the morning and work until 8/9am on my side project. I realized I can get a tremendous amount done at that time since there are zero distractions. Family is still asleep and no one is emailing or messaging me.

Once I'm done I take a break, eat some breakfast or work out, then get ready for work.

2. The other key thing for me was staying consistent. Consistency will help you build the habit in your mind to the point where your mind will not allow you to not work on your project even when you don't feel it. Habits are a powerful thing.

I do give myself flexibility in the amount of hours I work each day on projects. If there's days I'm not feeling it I can just work for 15 minutes. The important thing is that you work on it. Even 15 minutes of completely focused work is surprisingly productive.

Before you know it you will have made some great progress. I hope this helps.

Honestly dude, I have no idea how you guys with a wife and kids do it.

My main tactic is to stay at the office after work for a few hours at least 3 days a week Mon–Thu. I'm very fortunate to have a 4-day work week so I can usually dedicate Fridays. Sometimes get a few spare hours on Saturday and Sunday too but usually too busy.

But I doubt I'd want to be putting in time like that alongside a 9-5 if I had a wife and kids... 😬

Yes, it's hard. For me momentum worked a lot, now preparing a launch. But it's been really tough for one month.

I've tried to run 2 things, newsletter and build SaaS on the side, plus figure out newsletters ads and engagement. I managed to build MVP for SaaS rather quickly, but after a month I was exhausted and had to focus a little bit on life and spending time with friends and family. But in that month, I was mostly just working, writing newsletter on the weekend, and building product after work.

But it got easier after I had a conversation with one friend and brought him in, otherwise, I would probably burnout. Now it takes me less time to work on things, but still, it can be hard some days, and weekends work best for me.

I think, that devoting a few hours over the weekend eventually will make a difference. If you don't feel it on some days, just skip it, at least that's what I was doing. It can be hard to do it after work, especially if you are giving 100% of yourself on the work.

But you are not alone, everybody struggles with this, just do it when you feel like you want to do it. And alongside the job, it's most likely that can find time only on the weekend (like I do)

It’s challenging but not impossible. I use my Fridays and weekends to build stuff. During the rest of the week, I will try shipping small changes and fixing bugs. What works for me is a simple weekly to do to keep me organized

Essentially, I would setup a REALISTIC schedule for myself.

I used to put a 1.5-2 hours schedule per day afterwork. It led to a burn out. I ended up missing days here and there, and eventually not working on it at all

Now instead I put 15-20 minutes daily. Which I can do without being too exhaustive. For me, doing 80% constantly every day is better than doing 100% then not doing it on the next day, and trying to do another 100% maybe next week.

The aforementioned numbers are relative to your preference.. but keeping the momentum up is definitely the most important thing for me

Something you probably don't want to hear but:

You will need to sacrifice some things and take that time to work on your side projects.

Don't sacrifice sleep since that will destroy you long term.

Also you will need to try and get fitter and increase your energy levels so you can spend some time after work.

I'm working on side projects while working full-time for about 15 years now :-) For me, consistency and sprints what works. When I'm working on a side project/startup I try to work on it every day even if it's just sending a mail, reading an article about the topics, chat with somebody about it. I also like doing sprints, for example, I prepare my tasks on Friday evening and I work the whole Saturday on them. It also depends on what I'm working on atm, if it is something research/prototype related I don't rush, I take my time. If it's a business idea I allocate time for that.
On my new startup Supaweb, I started to work in December and I silently launched it just last month, you don't need to rush just be consistent enough to always work on it.

Hey buddy, you're not alone. I'm in the same boat. I also have a conventional business I need to run. I think if we love it enough, we'll find a way or we'll make time. It's not as easy as it sounds, but that's the game - we sacrifice, we're sleep deprived, we have lots of worries and headaches, but in the end, it pays off. Entrepreneurship isn't for everyone, and that's okay.

To manage my time, I usually make a weekly epic list of 20 things I need to accomplish. I aim for a completion rate of 70-90%, but even 60% is a win. After that, everything should fall into place by itself.

I'm a morning person, so I wake up early around 4-5am. That's my alone time to work on something before my morning routine starts. I also do a few smaller tasks in between breaks or even during traffic jams. So at the end of the week, I look at the results instead of how many hours I could dedicate.

My best advice is to shift your schedule. Go to bed when your son does and get up earlier. To get 1-2h before your son wakes up to work on side projects.

There will be days when your son will wake up extra early and ruin your early schedule but then it is how it is.

If your are not in sync with your kid and try to pull late nights, you will end up with 4h of sleep and be super cranky and set both you and your kid up for failure for the day.

Lots of good advice, in addition I just want to add that some days you just find the energy so try to cash in those days.
As stuff comes up make a list and scratch them out one by one to show how far you come.
Motivation doesn’t last, discipline is what helps you achieve goals.

Same situation, and realistically there is only so much you can do in a day. If you are really committed, maybe you can find something you can change (part time job, job break) for having time to bring your project forward.

I was in similar situation and now follow this to be more balanced.
I get up early in the morning at 5 AM and work for 2 hours on my side project. Then from ~7:30 AM, I start my regular day of spending time with family, day job etc. Working early morning is more productive than working late night after an exhaustive day at your work. Hope this helps.

Identify areas where you are willing to sacrifice your personal time/free time. If you sleep for 8 or 9 hours then cut it down to 6 or 7.

I agree @dylanucio and @arthurbarros's comments but something I also found was experimenting with the right time to do side work. I was trying to do things after work, or late in the evening. It took too long to discover but getting up an hour earlier in the morning I got more done in less time, still got to see my family in the evenings and could head to work each day smiling and knowing I'd already worked on my side project.

It can be rough finding time for personal projects after work when you're already feeling wiped. Let me tell you, though - starting small and working on ideas that fire you up is a gamechanger. Plus, within just a couple weeks, you'll know if it's worth pursuing seriously!

Working with a company on your project can be super motivating, and making a #buildinpublic project is a great way to stay accountable without having to give up all your time. Personally, I squeeze in a couple hours a day during my coffee and lunch breaks, and my Saturday mornings are devoted to discussing and working on my progress with a friend.

Just so you know: there are loads of tools out there that can make your life easier! Embracing them can help you cut down on daily workload.

well I don't have my own family so being single is nice for time. 9-5 does suck... figure 9-10 hours total (including travel, lunch)... get home (for me workout) then have a couple hours a night

it's the poverty that drives me, I have not succeeded yet though so yeah just wanting to do it

I had a high salary job until now so that made me not as driven since I had money coming in but I was still trapped to that 9-5

I don't have social life either other than sometimes hitting the bars with a friend but I try not to do that too often (expensive)

I had a second shift and was not required to go to work until noon. I used to get up at five in the morning, work out, and then focus on my company. I was able to prioritize my tasks and make sure I had time for my side project thanks to timeboxing. Furthermore, I would probably work on my project for half of my off days.

The secret was knowing precisely how much time I had to work and following a schedule. The fact that I detested my work also helped, hehe. That inspired a great deal of motivation.

I now assist professionals with time optimization. Please let me know if I can be of any assistance. Visit

Finding time can be super hard. I think it comes down to 3 main things.

1. Talk to your family

2. Eliminate other time uses

3. Consistency

4. Talk to your family
   Talk to your wife. Explain that you are trying to build something, learn something, grow. Explain how you want to set aside some time to do this. Decide with her when you will do it.

For me, I work on things twice a week after my son goes to bed. We schedule this every week with my wife and she reminds me "You are working on Mint tonight right?".

Kids go to bed earlier than you so I usually try to schedule after my son is in bed.

2. Eliminate other time uses
   I don't know your life but I know you are not just going to work, spending time with your family, then going to bed.

Ruthlessly prioritize. Cancel Netflix, delete TikTok etc.

3. Consistency
   Momentum is powerful. Even working on something a few times a week adds up.

Good luck!

I worked on the second shift and didn't have to be at work until noon. I'd wake up before work at 5 am, work out, and then work on my business. Timeboxing helped me prioritize my time and ensure I put time into my side project. On top of that, I'd spend probably half of my off days on my project as well.

The key was having a routine and knowing exactly how much time I had to work. The other thing that helped was I hated my job, lol. That created a lot of motivation.

I help professionals with optimizing their time now. Let me know if there is any way I can help. Check out ScatterMind.co

Two suggestions:

1. Choose a side project that you're genuinely interested in. It's easier to work on something you want to do instead of something that is a means to an end (i.e., something you're doing to earn money in the hopes you can do something else later)
2. Choose a small side project, and then simplify it as much as possible. What's the bare minimum you need to deliver a usable MVP?

A small side project that you're genuinely interested in feels both fun and doable, making it easier to work on.

I think this is actually a pretty loaded question.

In my experience, both observing my personal tendencies, and the tendencies of others, this is a highly personal problem to solve.

For me, it’s taken quite a while to establish enough time in my day to properly work on my projects.

I tried a lot of things… first, I tried bootstrapping while working a full-time job, but the intellectual property contract made that challenging.

Then, I tried doing it by working for smaller clients on UpWork, but I didn’t have enough income to sustain myself.

Now, I finally found what I think is a better balance… I work 20 hours per week through Toptal, as they have support for part-time job postings on their platform.

I don’t work for a small client, and I work for a well-established company in California, this way, I have consistent income coming in, but I’m still getting paid enough to sustain myself.

Also, the client work I’m doing is sufficiently different from what I do in my own projects, so while there’s less synergy, there’s little concern of IP conflict.

This gives me about 4.5 hours per day to work on my projects.

However, burn out, motivation, mental health, and all of that have been influential to me as well. I’ve always been a bit of an insomniac, and I tried the waking up early at 6:30 AM every day thing.

I was able to do it, but I found that I was exhausted almost every day. Now, I shifted my schedule to more of a night owl schedule, and I actually have energy to do my work.

So I guess my point is, I might take a bit of experimentation to see what works for you.

Good luck!!

Early morning

I find early morning a great fit for this. Dedicate as little time as you can and setup a task or list of few tasks to focus on.

It is okay to struggle. This is a problem for many. When I spend time working out, I have more energy to work on a project. Also please rest when you feel tired, you should not overwork yourself at all.

Small consistency matters more than big steps.

Hope this helps!

Simply by making time table. Make a time table and get time out of your days. You will save lot of time on holiday also

For me right now i use my Time while im Traveling to my "normal" 100% Job. Beside that i stay longer up or stand up earlier before my GF and do some work then.

But yes i can quite imagen it's a tuff one with a Kid beside. Maybe you can reduce your "normal" work?

Does your son enjoy building things? He might want to work on a lego set, Arduino, painting or something. I do think that quality time with you son could be both of you in a room working on your own project :D

If your wife also works, try to live off only her income and make sacrifices to make it work. If she isn't working, try to change that. You can take over home responsibilities while she supports the household financially. Despite what many women say, home duties are a lot less time consuming and mentally taxing than an actual job, plus you get to spend more time with your son. And you'll have way more time to work on your project.