Unlocking Your Hustle: How to Get Past the "Stuck" Stage

Hey there, fellow stay-at-home superheroes! If you're reading this, you’re probably juggling snacks, laundry, and the occasional toddler meltdown while trying to build a side hustle that’ll allow you to retire on a private island (or at least afford a nice coffee). But let’s be real; sometimes we just feel stuck. You might be wondering: “Where’s my motivation? Why can’t my ideas flow like peanut butter on warm toast?” Sometimes that anxiety is coupled with a feeling of being stuck and not knowing where to go. Fear not! Let’s tackle that “stuck” stage together.

Jumpstart Your Motivation: The Coffee Cup Challenge

Photo by Kristina Paukshtite: https://www.pexels.com/photo/selective-focus-photography-of-person-touch-the-white-ceramic-mug-with-choose-happy-graphic-704813/

First things first, we need to tackle that lethargy like a toddler tackles bedtime. Motivation can feel like a myth sometimes—like a unicorn in a tutu. But if you can find a way to incorporate small, energizing habits into your day, you’ll be sprightly in no time!

Try the Coffee Cup Challenge: Every morning, pour yourself a cup of your favorite beverage, whether it’s coffee, tea, or the half drank Yoohoo you found in the fridge. This cup becomes your motivational chalice! While you sip, jot down three-five things you’re excited about. They can be work-related, like starting that long-overdue newsletter, or personal, like trying out that elusive smoothie recipe you found on Instagram. This will work as a sort of foundation for where you want your time to go. Use your "coffee" time to brainstorm. Once you have your list, here is where we break it down into smaller, manageable tasks. You ever hear the expression "you can eat an elephant one bite at a time"? Here's what it means: Huge tasks seem daunting and can snuff out your motivation faster than you can empty that coffee cup, BUT if we break those tasks down into bite sized nuggets, you avoid task paralysis - the feeling of being unable to initiate, complete or sustain tasks due to feelings of overwhelm, anxiety or mental fatigue. Its a very real thing. Keeping the tasks short, sweet and following a plan of attack will help keep you on track even on the days where your spark and motivation are circling the drain.

And if you’re feeling extra spicy, share your list with your followers! You never know who might want to join in, and suddenly you’ll be leading the charge in motivation with your virtual coffee companions.

Set Up a Routine: Your New Dance Partner

Photo by Jess Bailey Designs: https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photo-of-an-ipad-768473/

Ah, the elusive “Routine.” Just the word makes some of us cringe, right? But think of it this way: routines don’t have to be rigid. They can be flexible and fun, like a dance partner at a wedding who knows how to ditch the line dancing for the cha-cha. You want to have a loose idea of where you want your time to go so you always know what comes next. Every second of every day definitely does not need to be planned out (that would drive this mama nuts) but you need to have a vague roadmap to follow. If you need to, set alarms and snooze them as needed as long as you actually intend on completing the task when you delay it. Here are two examples of morning routines you could have:

Routine 1: Strict & Calculated (Ideal for structured, goal-oriented parents)

5:00 am – Wake Up & Personal Development (30 mins)

• Meditation or mindfulness exercise

• Review daily goals for side hustle and household tasks

• Quick journaling to set intentions

5:30 am – Focused Work Block (1 hour)

• Deep work on side hustle tasks (content creation, client outreach, planning)

• Minimize distractions (silence notifications)

6:30 am – Household Prep & Organization (30 mins)

• Prepare breakfast ingredients

• Tidy common areas, plan the day’s household schedule

• Review family calendar

7:00 am – Family & Household Tasks (1 hour)

• Prepare and serve breakfast with kids

• Assist children with morning routines (dress, hygiene)

• Light household chores (laundry, dishes)

8:00 am – Side Hustle & Business Tasks (1 hour)

• Respond to emails

• Schedule social media posts or marketing activities

• Review progress toward weekly goals

9:00 am – Household Errands & Maintenance (1 hour)

• Grocery planning or quick shopping

• Household repairs or maintenance planning

10:00 am – Creative & Planning Time (1 hour)

• Brainstorm new side hustle ideas

• Content planning or skill development

11:00 am – Final Household & Family Prep (1 hour)

• Prepare for lunch, pack snacks

• Final household tidying

12:00 pm – Transition & Reflection

• Wrap up tasks

• Reflect on what was accomplished and plan for the afternoon

OR

Routine 2: Flexible & Relaxed (Ideal for parents who prefer a laid-back approach)

5:00 am – Wake Up & Gentle Start (20 mins)

• Light stretching or a short walk

• Quiet meditation or gratitude journaling

5:20 am – Light Side Hustle Task (40 mins)

• Respond to comments or messages

• Brainstorm ideas or listen to industry podcasts

6:00 am – Household & Meal Prep (30 mins)

• Prepare breakfast at a relaxed pace

• Tidy common areas as needed

6:30 am – Family & Household Time (1 hour)

• Enjoy breakfast with kids

• Help children get ready for the day

• Light cleaning or laundry

7:30 am – Flexible Work Session (1 hour)

• Tackle priority side hustle tasks as energy allows

• Schedule social media or content updates

8:30 am – Household & Errands (30 mins)

• Run quick errands or organize supplies

• Plan household tasks for the day

9:00 am – Rest or Creative Break (30 mins)

• Read, craft, or do a hobby

• Recharge before the busy day

9:30 am – Catch Up & Planning (30 mins)

• Review the day’s household needs

• Adjust side hustle goals if needed

10:00 am – Family or Personal Time (up to 2 hours)

• Playtime with kids

• Personal interests or rest

12:00 pm – Transition & Mindfulness

• Reflect on the morning

• Prepare for lunch and the rest of the day

Importance of Both Routines

Strict & Calculated Routine: This approach provides structure, maximizing productivity within limited time. It reduces decision fatigue and ensures critical side hustle tasks and household responsibilities are addressed systematically. Ideal for parents who thrive on routine and want measurable progress.

Flexible & Relaxed Routine:This approach fosters a stress-free environment, allowing parents to adapt their activities based on daily energy levels and family needs. It encourages creativity, mindfulness, and enjoying the process, which can boost overall well-being and sustained motivation.

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Whether you thrive on discipline or prefer flexibility, tailoring your morning to your personality and circumstances helps maintain balance, progress, and happiness in both your household and side hustle endeavors which can give you the motivation to continue.

Create a “Mommy/Daddy Hustle Hour”: Designate a specific time of the day where you get into your “hustle zone.” Maybe it’s the magical hour between nap time and that one special episode of your favorite show (you know the one). Use this time to focus solely on your side hustle goals, whether it’s brainstorming ideas, setting up a website, or binge-watching YouTube tutorials.

Get specific: 1 hour of unfiltered, focused work can be incredibly productive. Set a timer (because you know how quickly a toddler can disrupt your plans) and treat it like an appointment you cannot miss—just like a trip to the grocery store where you remember to buy snacks (even though you went in for milk). Get creative in where you can squeeze in this time. If you absolutely cannot commit to a full uninterrupted hour, then break it down into four 15 minute segments, whatever you have to do to squeeze in time where you can. When you have a routine, you (and your kids) know what to expect and what comes next.

Step Outside the Box: Energize Your Mind

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Sometimes the brain needs a little jumpstart too. If you’re feeling creative, but nothing is coming out, step back and give yourself a mini-vacation—without actually leaving your house because, well, kids! It’s all about changing your scenery and stimulating your imagination. Go for a family walk, practice some yoga or meditation in a spare room or back yard, have a silly dance off with the kids, anything to get some (creative) juices flowing.

**The Idea Jar:** Grab an old mason jar (or, let’s be real, any old peanut butter jar will do), and fill it with wacky ideas. Write down random thoughts on colorful pieces of paper. Think outside of the “hustle” realm—herb gardening at home? Flying a drone around your neighborhood? (Okay, maybe that’s too far, but you get the idea).

When you feel stuck, grab your jar and pick out a random paper. You might just find that watching how your herbs grow gives you an idea for your next Instagram post or blog topic. Plus, it’s a fun activity to do with your kids!

Conclusion: You’ve Got This!

Getting past the “stuck” stage isn’t just about the hustle; it’s about mindset, creativity, and making things fun—yes, fun! Remember that as a stay-at-home parent, you have valuable experiences shaping your perspective and skills for potential side hustles.

The coffee cup will guide you, your routine will keep you on track, and the idea jar will energize your journey. So go ahead and reawaken that hustle spirit within you! The world of side hustles awaits, and it’s a lot easier when you’re not feeling like a frazzled marionette caught in a tangle of strings.

Now, go forth and get UN-stuck! You’ve got this. 💪

Happy hustling!

Jessica Murphy

Your Side Hustle Coach and Stay at Home Advocate