Building a Business With a 9 to 5

Hi Reader 👋

Thanks for joining me on this productivity newsletter venture. Hope you're having an amazing Monday!

If you’re anything like me, you’re trying to build a business on the side of your 9–5.

And if work-life balance feels like a struggle, you’re not alone.

Don’t Quit Your Day Job

When people think about the entrepreneurial journey, they often think of someone quitting their job and going all in on their business.

I can only write about what I know. So if you’re in your 30s with a mortgage, spouse, kid, dog, and an Everest-sized pile of responsibilities… don’t quit your day job.

Forget what all those “gurus” on 𝕏 say. Stay at your 9–5 and use it.

Apply your knowledge to your business.

My job allows me to try out workflows in ClickUp, create Python scripts, and play around with fun automations.

I take what I find works and use it to help my clients.

Get paid to learn

Finding a “Why”

You must ask yourself, “Why am I starting a business?”

If it’s to get more money, there are probably easier ways.

My ‘why’ is freedom.

I want to be able to take a month-long summer break without worrying about money.

Or watch my kid cross the finish line on Sports Day without the fear of my boss calling for help to log in to Teams again.

What’s your “why”?

You Don’t Need an Audience

I read an article on Medium yesterday about building a business. One of its main points was that you need an audience before you can make money.

Don’t fall for that myth 🙅‍♂️

It’s generally said by people who want to sell you a course on how to grow an audience.

Starting and maintaining a business is all about clients and products.

Over-deliver
Capture testimonials
Write client case studies.

Share the testimonials and case studies online and to your email list (you have one of those, right?)

You may or may not build an audience.

But you will be a lot more likely to get clients. And that’s the real marker of business success.

The Balancing Act

Balancing a day job, a side business, and a personal life is tough.

That’s why you need to find your “why”.

My advice for finding balance is not to try to micro-balance it.

Pour 100% of yourself into whatever you’re doing.

If it’s family time, put your phone away.

If you want to write on Medium, block an hour to write distraction-free.

If you need to finish building that client template, turn off all notifications and do the work.

Focus.

It’s not easy, but it’s essential.

Summary

Remember, it’s okay to change what isn’t working.

Re-evaluate. Adapt. Reshape.

I’ve recently moved from 𝕏 to Medium. Are there platforms that aren’t serving your purpose? Let them go.

Get ridiculously good at what moves the needle for your business.

And make sure to enjoy the journey.

Thanks for reading. As always, I'd love it if you replied to this email with any questions or comments.

Have a great Monday!

Will

Need help with ClickUp? Click here to book your free 15 minute call or reach out to me on 𝕏 @notiondad

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Will