Lately I’ve noticed an uptick in conversations on second careers and side gigs. Many elements have led to the fueling of this fire. It began with the pandemic encouraging people to seek meaning in life; be it through the soul-searching activities of baking banana bread, whipping Dalgona coffees and origami or by quitting their day job entirely. It was further fanned by insecurities of whether existing jobs would continue to exist or be taken away by AI or cost cuts; or fanned by existing elements such as the simple quest for additional income to fund occasional indulgences. Whatever the reason, more people are seeking a supplemental source of income that involves more than buying an investment property or stocks. Thus, my new favorite conversation starter is – ‘what’s your side gig?’
The responses range from ‘do you mean a hobby?’, ‘why would anyone want a side gig?’ to ‘I have a few’. Some responses included ‘my organization would fire me’ or ‘my organization encourages my side gig’. Whatever the response, it is never a dull conversation. Almost 80% of my friends, colleagues and acquaintances either have a side gig or are actively seeking one. Many, like me, have a side gig (my podcast & this blog) that yield zero revenue. And those who engaged in these zero revenue side gigs began reconsidering if they needed to change that.
Over the past few months, I’ve come up with a bazillion ideas on interests that may generate revenue. My failure business ideas can turn into a blog in themselves (that was one of the ideas too) but currently as the outflow of cash on these experiments exceed the inflow, the quest continues. As I flip between becoming a tarot card reader, attempting to sell my winter wardrobe online and turning into an art dealer, I have learnt what I shouldn’t be doing (right now at least).
Which brings me to my June challenge.
You didn’t think this was going to be a post without a challenge, did you?
Here’s my challenge for June. The problem with having too many ideas is that none get executed. You can’t jump from zero side gigs to four overnight or even within a single year. June is perfect because for the first time this year, I am venturing on a solo trip for an entire week (Woohoo!!). Because of the mess May has been, the aim of my vacation is to wander and amidst all the wandering, I intend to find the one (or two) side gigs that I am going to hunker down for the rest of this year. My tarot reading aspirations can wait until next year despite the book and deck awaiting. And once back from the trip or if extremely lucky, while on the trip, I’ll begin embarking on the journey.
I am not under any illusion that my side gig will generate income overnight. In fact, the three questions I am hoping to answer on the trip are:
- What is my motivation to seek out a side gig? Is it because it’s cool, because I need the cash or because my current career isn’t satisfying all my needs.
- If I could do anything in the world and be paid for it, what would it be? And if they are multiple things, which one would I pick if I had to pick just one?
- Where does it fit into my schedule and if it doesn’t, what am I willing to give up in exchange?
That’s it! That’s my June challenge and we’ll use the rest of the six months of the year to slowly make progress towards getting the side gig to a point where I am beginning to achieve what I set out to do. It is possible that three months later I realize that this isn’t it and start from scratch again, but we won’t know until we begin.
You know what’s coming next. Like always, my challenge to self is my challenge to you. Join me on my quest to find a side gig. And if you aren’t seeking a side gig, that’s cool too, maybe you can help me with mine.
Wish me luck and I promise to tell you where I land next month. Fingers crossed. & Happy June!
The HR Business Partner Story 