10 Worst Mistakes I made when starting my side hustle.

The reality is that the majority of people lack the funds to start a business or side hustle on their own, but this doesn’t mean you can’t achieve your dreams. With careful planning and guidance from experts, you can finally set up your dream business today! Every businessman will tell you that the hardest part of starting a side hustle is starting. I’ll share my personal experience with starting my own business in hopes that it will help you avoid some common mistakes I made when starting. I hope this will help you easily start your side hustle.

Ready to get started? Let’s dive in!

1. I didn’t have a plan.

A business plan is a written document that describes in detail how a business startup shall run, defines its objectives, and how it is to achieve those objectives. This was one of the Mistakes I made when starting my hustle. A good business plan guides one through the whole business process meaning you’ll be operating on a developed system rather than following the “wind direction” in your activities. Don’t make this mistake as I did.

2. I got too comfortable too quickly..

I call this the business worm. It shall eat up your hustle and cause stunted development. This comes into play when you set your target and meet it. You then get comfortable with the little you are getting. Yes, you are earning something, but you can do better. Push harder. This shall surely affect you if you are not good at setting goals and chasing them.

3. I was afraid to ask for help or advice..

Ask, ask, and ask should be your growth weapon as a starter. This was also among the mistakes I made when starting. When you ask or seek help and guidance, you learn more. Then you can easily do things and get your hustle on the go. Some people fear to ask yet it’s human and not everyone started as an expert. So don’t be afraid bro ask.

Read also: The key elements to success for a new business.

4. I thought it would be easy to get motivated..

Another top one among the mistakes I made while starting is forgetting about motivation. Demotivation is real as you move on with the hustle especially if it’s underperforming. Before starting the hustle, think about this because it shall lead to underperformance. What is your source of motivation to keep you moving even on the worst days? Try out something you like. That alone shall be a source of motivation.

You can read more about how to choose the best ideas that won’t get you bored on your journey

5. I did it alone.

Don’t do it alone – find a partner with who you can work. As the saying goes, “Two heads are better than one”, not always but this time, exactly. Doing tasks and all that is related gets simpler with a bigger force. Sometimes you are new in the industry or less skilled and a more skilled partner would help. This doesn’t mean that you always have to employ someone, reason out if it’s necessary.

6. I was not realistic about my goals and expectations.

This I was lacking a lot. In addition, motivation speakers worsen this. They told me how I could earn fortunes in a short time. While this may be true, it’s important to look at how possible it is. Most time, you can’t just be up in a twinkle, you need hard work, patience, and persistence. Just make sure your goal and objectives are achievable not to be disappointed at the end of the day.

7. I did not plan adequately what my business would be providing.

This is yet another one among the top mistakes I made while starting. It’s common with those producing multiple products. Your business can produce a lot of products but there should be that key most important product to your business. Additionally, carry out a detailed customer study to determine who your target market is exactly.

Read also: Why most businesse fail.

8. I spent a lot on marketing, advertising, and other expenses.

Marketing and spending on your business can be endless. You’ll never be satisfied with your business status. Just like I was, if you don’t know how much you want to spend, you’ll spend too big. Always have at the back of your mind what you are willing to spend to avoid this error and running into losses

9. I lacked a plan for what I wanted my business to look like.

A plan for what you want your business to look like always gives you a reason to work harder especially if you have not yet made it there. Not having one always makes you lag or have no challenge. This can keep your hustles stagnant. So, try to always have a challenge. After achieving one challenge, you can always set the other.

10. I lacked a system to track data coming from customers.

You should use customers feedback as a business building block. If you are producing a product, ask how your customers found it. This can help you improve the product to better satisfy your clients. If clients are dissatisfied with your product, this is an indicator of your product being substandard and can lead to business failure. Watch this.

Conclusion

With all these mistakes, it’s a wonder how I was able to grow my hustle quickly.  Once I had a plan in place and started following through and avoiding the mistakes listed here, things began to take off. Whether you’re just starting or have been hustling for years without much success , don’t give up! You can do this! Just remember that there are no shortcuts when it comes to success. The slow process may feel like torture at times, but as long as you stay persistent and committed, you’ll get there.

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