The Power of Mindset: The Key to Growing Your Side Hustle into a Full-Time Business

| Monica Hirman

Starting a side hustle can feel like stepping into uncharted territory. You dream of creating something that will one day replace your 9-to-5 job, but you may also wrestle with doubts, fears, and an overwhelming to-do list. While skills, strategy, and resources are essential, there’s one factor that’s more critical than all the others: your mindset.

Mindset isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the foundation for every decision you make and every action you take. Let’s explore why mindset is the most important thing needed to start and grow a successful side hustle and how to cultivate a mindset that will carry you to success.

Why Mindset Matters More Than Strategy

Imagine two people starting the same side hustle with identical skills and resources. One succeeds, and the other gives up within months. What’s the difference? Nine times out of ten, it’s their mindset.

Here’s why:

  1. Beliefs Shape Behavior: Your beliefs determine what actions you take. If you believe you’re capable of building a thriving business, you’ll push through challenges. If you believe success is out of reach, you’re likely to quit at the first sign of difficulty.
  2. Overcoming Challenges: Every side hustle comes with setbacks—missed deadlines, rejections, and unforeseen obstacles. With a resilient mindset, you see these as learning opportunities rather than reasons to give up.
  3. Clarity and Focus: A positive mindset allows you to focus on your goals and prioritize effectively, even when juggling your side hustle with a demanding full-time job.

Common Mindset Blocks (and How to Overcome Them)

Before diving into how to cultivate a winning mindset, let’s address some common mindset challenges that hold side hustlers back:

1. “I Don’t Have Enough Time.”

This belief often stems from a scarcity mindset. Instead of focusing on what you lack, shift your perspective to what you can create. Use tools like time blocking and focus on small, consistent steps.

2. “I’m Not Good Enough.”

Imposter syndrome is real, but it’s also a sign that you’re stepping outside your comfort zone. Remind yourself that every expert was once a beginner. Your unique perspective and skills are valuable.

3. “What If I Fail?”

Fear of failure often prevents people from starting or sticking with their side hustle. Reframe failure as feedback. Each misstep brings you closer to figuring out what works.

How to Cultivate a Mindset for Success

Developing a strong mindset takes practice, but the results are transformative. Here are actionable steps to get started:

1. Define Your “Why”

Your “why” is the reason you’re building your side hustle. Maybe it’s financial freedom, more time with your family, or pursuing your passion. Write it down and revisit it whenever doubt creeps in.

2. Visualize Success

Spend a few minutes each day visualizing what success looks like for you. Imagine how it feels to replace your 9-to-5 income, work on something you’re passionate about, and achieve the freedom you’re seeking.

3. Reframe Negative Thoughts

Whenever a limiting belief surfaces, challenge it. For example:

  • Limiting Belief: “I don’t have enough experience.”
  • Reframe: “I’m learning as I go and every step I take makes me more experienced.”

4. Set Small, Achievable Goals

Break your larger goal into manageable milestones. Each win—no matter how small—builds confidence and momentum.

5. Surround Yourself with Positivity

The people you surround yourself with can either lift you up or drag you down. Seek out communities, mentors, or coaches who inspire and support your journey.

6. Celebrate Progress

Don’t wait until you’ve replaced your 9-to-5 to celebrate. Acknowledge and reward yourself for every step forward, whether it’s landing your first client or learning a new skill.

The Ripple Effect of a Strong Mindset

When you cultivate a strong mindset, it doesn’t just benefit your side hustle. It improves every aspect of your life:

  • Confidence: You’ll approach challenges with a belief in your ability to overcome them.
  • Resilience: Setbacks won’t derail you; they’ll motivate you to find solutions.
  • Focus: You’ll prioritize what matters most and let go of distractions.

Mindset is Your Superpower!!

Your side hustle’s success starts in your mind. With the right beliefs, habits, and support system, you can overcome any challenge and grow your business into the life-changing opportunity you’ve envisioned.

Take a moment today to reflect on your mindset. Are your thoughts aligned with the life you’re working to create? If not, start with small shifts, and watch how your mindset transforms your journey.

Remember: The only limits are the ones you set for yourself. Start believing in your potential today, and the possibilities are endless.

The Power of Making a Commitment to Your Goal(s)

| Monica Hirman

What if I told you that the gap between where you are and where you want to be isn’t as big as it feels? In fact, it’s not about having more time, more money, or more talent—it’s about making a decision. Not just any decision, but a commitment so powerful that it pulls you forward, even on the days when you don’t feel like it.

Here’s the thing most people don’t realize: commitment isn’t just about setting a goal. It’s about deciding – fully and completely – that you are going to do whatever it takes to make it happen. Think about it. How many times have you said, “I’m going to lose weight,” or “I’m going to start that business,” only to let it slip through your fingers? It’s not because you didn’t want it. It’s because you didn’t commit to it. Commitment is not about trying… it’s about deciding that success is inevitable. When you commit, you eliminate excuses. You stop looking for a way out and start looking for a way forward.

Why Commitment Feels Scary

Making a true commitment can feel terrifying. Why? Because it forces you to confront the reality that your success is entirely up to you. There’s no backup plan, no safety net. You’re all in. Here’s the truth: the fear isn’t a sign to back away – it’s a sign you’re on the right track and you need to keep moving forward. Fear is simply the part of your brain that wants to keep you safe, and it activates any time you step outside your comfort zone.

When you commit to a goal, you’re telling your brain, “We’re doing this anyway.” And that’s where the magic happens. Here’s the part I love: commitment rewires your brain. When you make a decision and stick to it, your brain starts working for you instead of against you. It scans your environment for opportunities. It creates new neural pathways that help you build habits aligned with your goal. Commitment also builds momentum. Every time you honor your commitment, you prove to yourself that you are capable. And that confidence is the fuel that keeps you going, even when things get hard.

The “All-In” Test

Ask yourself: Am I truly committed to my goals, or am I just interested?

If you’re merely interested, you’ll do what’s convenient. You’ll work on your goal when it’s easy, when you have time, when you feel motivated. But if you’re committed, you’ll do whatever it takes. You’ll find a way when it feels impossible. Being “all in” doesn’t mean you won’t have bad days. It means you still show up even on those bad days. Commitment isn’t about being perfect – it’s about being consistent.

Here’s a simple process to make a rock-solid commitment to your goals:

  1. Decide on Your Goal
    Be specific. What do you want to achieve, and why does it matter to you? The stronger your “why,” the easier it will be to stay committed.
  2. Burn the Boats
    Make it impossible to turn back. This doesn’t mean to quit your job. It means that you share your goal publicly. Set a deadline. Do something that forces you to move forward. Invest in a mentor and/or coach.
  3. Take the First Step
    Commitment isn’t just mental, it’s physical. Take action immediately, even if it’s small. Momentum starts with movement.
  4. Recommit Daily
    Every morning, remind yourself of your goal and why it matters. Visualize yourself achieving it. Say it out loud: “I am committed to making <enter your goal here> happen.”

When you commit to your goals, something incredible happens. You start to change – not just in what you do, but in who you are. You become more confident, more focused, ad more resilient with each step you take towards your goal. And it doesn’t stop with you. Your commitment inspires others. When they see you chasing your dreams with everything you’ve got, they start to believe in their own potential too.

Today’s Challenge

What’s one goal you’ve been thinking about but haven’t fully committed to? Today, I want you to go all in. Decide that you’re going to make it happen, no matter what. Take one step, even if it’s small, toward your goal. Then come back and tell me how it feels to be committed. Remember, you don’t need perfect circumstances to start. You just need to decide. Because once you commit, you become unstoppable.

Commitment isn’t just a decision – it’s the first step toward the life you’ve always wanted. AND YOU ARE WORTH IT!

The Power of a Made-Up Mind

| Monica Hirman


Over the years, my husband and I have really enjoyed many of the messages at the churches we have attended over the years. As we were sitting in church one Sunday, listening to the Pastor give his message, he said something that really hit home for me. He said, “There is something really powerful in a made-up mind.”

Read it again, “There is something really powerful in a made-up mind.” Think about that!

Everyone has had that time in their lives when they have had enough of the way things are, had enough of their current situation, and have made up their mind that something needs to change. Once you have made up your mind to do something, you have made a decision to make it a reality. Once you have made up your mind, you are inspired and excited. Do you remember that feeling? Use that feeling, that decision, that inspiration and that excitement to take action!

If you want to start your own business, make up your mind to make it happen. If you want to grow your business, make up your mind to make it happen. If you want to release weight, make up your mind to make it happen. Whatever change you want to see, make up your mind to make it happen. No matter what, make up your mind to make it happen.

It doesn’t matter what your current situation is, there is always something that you can do to change it into something better. What do you want? Make up your mind… make the decision to make it happen. Once you make the decision and focus on what the outcome will be, as Ralph Waldo Emerson says, “Once you make a decision, the universe conspires to make it happen”.

You are always one decision away from a totally different life.