Student Question:
Hello Master, I’ve been thinking about starting a side hustle lately. I’ve found there are just too many options out there. I tried a few before and the results were mediocre. Should I go with something I enjoy — like writing, which I’m quite fond of — or should I chase future trends? I’m not sure which direction gives me the best advantage. I’d love your guidance.
Master Chi’s Response:
A side hustle is an investment in your future — and the future is uncertain by nature. So in the early stages, you will hit walls. You will take wrong turns. That’s unavoidable.
First, start by exploring different types of side hustles. Find something decent and just begin. Through that process, identify where your interests and genuine strengths lie, and whether the market actually validates them. This is an iterative process — expect to keep trying.
Second, once you’ve chosen something to pursue, commit to it. Any project you decide to take on — stick with it for at least three months. Even if it’s a fairly ordinary side hustle, the one you ultimately land on probably won’t be this first attempt anyway. But through that time, you’ll develop a much deeper understanding of what makes a project work or fail. More importantly, you’ll build the foundational skills of running a side hustle — finding clients, closing deals — rather than bouncing between projects after just a few days. Many people never make money because they blame the project. But pay attention to this: even the most ordinary side hustle has people making money from it.
Third, after going through those first two steps, you will have developed a far clearer picture of both the landscape and yourself.
On matching your industry choice to your strengths: Find a core skill — your anchor skill. Whether it’s sales, writing, or some other interest or hobby, build outward from there. Develop it into a product. Even if you can’t charge premium rates at first, spread the word through accessible pricing, gradually earn recognition, and build your reputation.
The first problem most people run into at this stage is that they simply don’t know enough about the available options — so they can’t make meaningful comparisons.
The second problem: they think too much and do too little.
There are things you can only discover by actually doing them. Your real attitude toward something — how you truly feel about it — often turns out to be very different from what you imagined before you started.
The third point: keep learning from the best people already doing what you want to do. Study them. Borrow from them.