The side hustle has become more of a necessity for ongoing financial security than ever before. And millennials, hardest hit by our current economy, seem to be leading the way. According to a recent study by the web hosting company GoDaddy, 50% of millennials have side hustles in order to make ends meet. (NY Post article) Ours is indeed, a “gig economy.” (NPR on the gig economy)

Millennial Reinvention

The side hustle is nothing new to actors. We’ve had “day jobs” for centuries. But this new phenomenon is different. It’s about supplementing income with anything but mindless, unfulfilling work. In characteristic millennial style, it’s being reimagined as an exciting, scrappy, creative, even fun opportunity to feed one’s soul, as well as one’s belly.

The list of side hustles actors have created is extensive and varied. I know an actor who is also a photographer. She has a business taking stock photos for use in online and printed publications. Another has a business selling essential oils and cruelty free make-up, a choice perfectly aligned with her values of wellness and kindness to the planet. Yet another learned carpentry and supported his growing family for many years repairing apartment buildings that offered him free rent in return, plus a stipend.

How Do I Start?

Sounds great, right? But how does one begin? It’s one thing to get your side hustle up and running. First you have to know what you want. And that’s not always as easy as it sounds.

These tools and inquiries will guide you to the perfect fit:

1. What matters to you most? This tool will help you get crystal clear about what you value. That will give you a useful place to start in figuring out what you want, and don’t want in your side hustle.
2. What would an ideal day in your life look like? Go general, here, if it helps. “I get to sleep late in the morning;” “I get to work with people;” “I don’t have to work with people;” “I get to play all day;” “I’m saving the world;” “I get to travel;” “I get to stay home.” You get the picture.
3. If you had 5 alternate lives, what other professions would you choose? Landscape gardener? Circus performer? Dog trainer? Lawyer?
4. What would be the worst job imaginable? Why? Use this to narrow the field.
5. How much money do you want to make?
6. How hard do you want to work?
7. What could you spend an entire day doing without getting bored?
8. List 10 of your greatest natural talents. What side hustles would be served by them?

You’re in the Driver’s Seat

What used to be regarded as necessary, but boring and dead end work, can now be work that is exciting, creative, and a perfect fit for creative actors with unpredictable schedules. There are so many more opportunities for income streams available now. And you’re in the driver’s seat. Have fun inventing and then working your perfect side hustle!