Sneak Attack: How to Supercharge Your Side Hustle in 15-Minute Increments

Hey there, fellow stay-at-home superheroes! If you’ve ever tried to juggle parenting, household tasks, and perhaps a side hustle that screams “I swear I can make this work,” then you know how quickly a day can slip away. Before you know it, you’ve gone from “I’m going to build my empire today!” to “Where did all this belly button lint come from?” in the blink of an eye. But fear not! It’s possible to make significant progress on your side hustle—even if you only have 15 minutes to spare. Let’s unleash those random minutes like a secret weapon, and watch your dreams of financial independence grow, one sneaky session at a time!

The Power of the 15-Minute Work Sprint

First things first: 15 minutes may not seem like a lot of time, but it’s all about harnessing those small pockets of opportunity. Imagine this: you’re waiting for your frozen pizza to cook, your toddler is looking at you with wide eyes (possibly contemplating what to destroy next), but you’ve got a hot lead on the line! What do you do? You go to your side hustle battle plan and jump right into action. Have a strong close ready for those times when you can only dedicate short bursts of time to your business. Map out exactly what a productive 15 minutes can be. Maybe its 5 minutes responding to emails/leads, 5 minutes recording a video and 5 minutes content planning. Those 15 minutes can dramatically increase your business and if you can fit in a minimum 5 sessions of that a day, you're going to soar. Its insane how quickly little bits of focused activity can quickly add up to monumental movement while still being present with your family. Hide in the bathroom or a closet if you must, but get those minutes in!

Planning is the Secret Sauce

Before diving into the typical hustle and bustle, here’s a pro tip: make a plan! Trust me, the key here is knowing what needs to be tackled. You don’t want to waste precious seconds figuring out what you're doing while the pizza’s burning and the kid’s channeling their inner Picasso on the wall.

**Here’s how to create a hit list:**

1. Scramble for a piece of paper (we know you have tons of them lying around) or open that notes app on your phone. I use a bullet journal to track my day but if its not immediately available, the envelope of junk mail that has been kicking around on its way to the shredder will do.

2. Jot down your side hustle tasks. Think lead generation, follow-ups, social media posts—whatever floats your entrepreneurial boat. Be specific, include every task separately and dedicate allotted time to each task. This will help when you are deciding what to work on first especially when you are on a time crunch. Instead of "create webinar" break that into smaller tasks such as "design cover page and index for webinar (30 minutes)", "record webinar intro (15 minutes)" etc.

3. Prioritize these tasks according to urgency. Yes, launching that website is important, but so is making sure your 4-year-old doesn’t eat a handful of crayons! Urgency can also be broken down into "business hours" activities and "non-business hours" activities. You are a business owner so you never get to clock in and out which let's be real, has its own pros and cons. Research can be done during non-business hours, designing an email can as well. Reaching out to clients, posting on socials, and sending that perfectly manicured email should all take place during business hours. Always have a hard stop for sleep during those non-business hours. Your mind and body still need rest so you don't need to be working until all hours of the night. Dedicate an hour after the kids are asleep and then be done for the day. Anything not finished is pushed to the next day. Allow yourself grace. This is supposed to be a fun journey after all!

Quick Wins for Your Side Hustle Tasks

**1. Lead Generation**

Imagine you’ve got 15 minutes while your laundry tumbles and your toddler is temporarily entertained with a sock puppet. Time for lead generation! If you have a list of leads, YAY! If not, now is the time to work on it, can you put an ad on Facebook? Can you reach out to a past client and ask them if they have any friends or family that they would be willing to recommend your service to or would they be willing to host a virtual party if you're in that type of space. We are looking for fresh faces but also do not neglect your current clients, they can be a gold mind when it comes to lead gen.

- **Action**: When I hit a slump in my MLM, I would always go back into the virtual parties I had previously held and would reach out to anyone that I hadn't connected with yet. Sometimes the first time you reach out to someone isn't their best time, so a quick follow up might be the way to go. Don't get annoying though, if someone tells you they aren't interested, move on. Don't dwell. There are billions of other people in this world. I used to have a contest with myself to see if I could get 100 "no's" in a row. I never got past 20 so if you have the tenacity to keep hearing no and still move forward, congratulations, you are slated for success.

**2. Follow-Ups**

Have you ever had a potential client go radio silent? It may mean that you haven't provided enough value for them to trust you. It takes an average of 8 contact points until you get an answer - whether positive or negative. Do not give up but also don't be pushy. Always lead with value. Make them feel like what you are offering is the answer to the problem they have.

- **Action**: Craft a couple of follow-up emails. Just a friendly nudge, like, “Hey! Just wanted to make sure you didn’t miss my last message about that awesome thing we talked about!” This is less like a telemarketer and more like your enthusiastic friend who really wants you to join that yoga class.

**3. Productivity**

Declutter your workspace! No, really, your kitchen table covered in unidentifiable snacks and ‘creative projects’ needs some TLC. A clear space leads to a clear and focused mind. Trash any junk, set up your essential tools and maybe light a candle (unless your little one will start singing "happy birthday" and climb up to try and blow it out) and relax in the simplicity of your workspace. We can tackle the rest of the house another day but for now just breathe a sigh of relief that you won't have to dig through a mountain of papers to find your to-do list.

- **Action**: Take 15 minutes while the vegetables are in the microwave and the chicken nuggets are in the air fryer (we don't judge here) and tidy up! As soon as you hear the sweet beep of steamed veggies & nuggies, you'll be glad you took the time to clean.

**4. Social Media Engagement**

You’re hustling to build a loyal audience, and that means interaction, baby! Well thought out posts, a quick video update, reacting to comments are all ways to build engagement. I'm going to say this until the cows come home - offer value, not products. Cheer people on, build them up so they will hopefully return the favor. Communities aren't just born, they are nurtured and cared for so start looking at your tribe as your business baby. Just like you wouldn't leave a plant on the highest shelf and forget to water it, don't forget to tend to your social medias. We are living in a digital world and if you are not at the forefront of peoples' minds, and if they don't know how much love and passion you pour into your projects, they may never truly be a part of your tribe but someone who just hangs out at the village.

- **Action**: Spend 15 minutes commenting on posts that resonate with you. Here’s a tip: let your comments be as charming as a puppy in a bowtie. Maybe something like, “Wow! Your journey is inspiring! How did you tackle that?” This builds relationships and could even lead to new partnerships!

Embrace the Chaos (and Laugh a Little)

Now, for a sprinkle of comic relief—let’s be real, those 15 minutes might also involve a surprising amount of chaos. The toddler may attempt to assist with your email drafting, leading to “Dear Potential Client, I enjoy chewing crayons and it is very fun.” Don’t stress; go with the flow and embrace the unpredictability. There’s beauty in the mess, right? Cardboard castles in the living room make excellent backdrops for your next video meeting! Entrepreneurship is a journey that we embark on to make time with our family more meaningful and fulfilling. Include your kids so they can be inspired to help and to grow as independent thinkers and creatives. What your child sees today, they may embody in the future. You are a strong and perseverant parent who could do it all with a little patience, grace and humility (and maybe a dash of Red Bull) so get out there and live, laugh and love (ok maybe I'm showing my age a bit here).

Conclusion

So there you have it, fellow side hustlers! Time is not the enemy—disorganization is. Harness those 15-minute snippets throughout your day to achieve your entrepreneurial dreams, laugh at the messiness of parenting, and crush your goals (while still pretending to be a leisurely pizza chef). With a little planning and a sense of humor, your hustle will thrive, and you’ll officially become the juggling guru of your household.

Happy hustling!

Jessica Murphy

Your Side Hustle Coach and Advocate for Stay-at-Home Parents