Side Hustlers of the world unite
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You’ve got a side hustle, haven’t you? Of course you have. Or at least you’ve thought about one. According to a recent Harris Poll, 57% of Gen Z has one, 40% of Gen X are in on the act, and even a fifth of Boomers are exploring new ventures. Ideas are everywhere.
For Gen Z the draw of the side hustle is the perceived freedom and flexibility it provides compared to the much more rigid, traditional corporate structure and they are well equipped to make it happen. As the first digital natives, their generation grew up immersed in a digitally driven world, so they intuitively use and adapt technology to their advantage. Social media marketing, online platforms, and digital tools are second nature, which makes turning an idea into something real, quicker, cheaper and more accessible than ever before.
But digital savvy is no guarantee of success. These are technical skills that can be learnt by pretty much any of us, at any stage of life, with a little perseverance. What is much harder to acquire, but is essential in the conversion of ideas into action. is the side hustler’s mentality, or what we call ‘The Pivoteer Mindset’. That ability to move beyond the familiar, test something new, and keep going even when it feels uncomfortable.
Why Ideas Stay Stuck
Don’t let the Harris Poll’s figures fool you: starting a side hustle is hard (just ask the other 43% of Gen Z’ers who don’t have one to call their own). Simply having a great idea isn’t enough. You have to find the self-belief, courage and the first steps to make it a reality.
The challenge is universal, and made even harder because many of us have been cocooned in traditional corporate values and behaviours through our formative career years. We have become conditioned to order, predictability and stability, and are hard-wired to choose the status quo over change, even when it no longer satisfies us.
This is why ideas so often stay stuck in our heads. It’s not a question of age, ability or even opportunity. It’s about mindset.
The Science of Change
Here’s the hopeful part: we are never too set in our ways to change.
Thanks to neuroplasticity, our brains can rewire at any age. New circuits strengthen when used, and old ones weaken when abandoned. Neuroscientists call this Hebbian learning, which describes how synaptic connections between neurons in the brain strengthen when used consistently and repeatedly, often summarised as “neurons that fire together, wire together.”
This is why mindset matters. It shows us that we can unlearn the beliefs and behaviours that prevent us from embracing change, and replace them with new ways of thinking and acting; a new mental and actionable framework of practical and sustainable entrepreneurialism. From stuck to unstoppable.
From Stuck to Unstoppable
Breaking free of the mental and behavioural patterns that hold us back is at the heart of what we coach on The Pivot Retreat at Restaries. Here we empower people, at any stage of their career or life, with the Pivoteer Mindset and Method to turn ideas into action, and side hustles into reality.
Side hustles are not for the fearless. If we wait for fear to disappear, we may never begin. They are for those willing to feel the fear and start anyway, using mindset and method to make each step intentional and each action a chance to learn, adapt and grow. It’s a way of being.
Are you ready to unlock the side hustler in you and join the Pivoteer movement?
To learn more about The Pivot Retreat and the Pivoteer Mindset and Method, hop over to the homepage or get in touch if you’d like more information.