What's your "Side Hustle?"?

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 21:17:00 -0500

I realize this sounds like a silly question, but please bear with me. A "hustle" is what we do during normal operations. In the civilian sector, we call it a job or a career. For the military, it's from reveille to taps. The thing that makes us more tactically and technically proficient.

A "side hustle" therefore is what we do outside the "hustle" in an effort to improve our lot in life. Civilians do it to earn a little more money, or make themselves more valuable, so they can make more money, improving themselves.

The thing about a "hustle" is that you will only ever get incremental gains. Now, incremental gains can end up being amazing over time.

http://freakonomics.com/podcast/in-praise-of-incrementalism/

But for immediate returns, we should always strive for exponential gains, hence the "side hustle" which doubles our productivity. Having a secondary thing we are doing to improve ourselves.

Before anyone goes "But K, this is the military, you shouldn't be getting a part time job!" That is not what I am advocating. What I am asking, is how are you IMPROVING yourself in your offtime, specifically outside of a military context. That doesn't mean it won't help you inside a military context (like a college degree), but what are YOU doing with the explicit goal of bettering YOURSELF?

This can be anything. Anything at all. From running a Non-profit, to writing a book, to going to college, to learning to cook. But something with purposeful practice designed to improve yourself outside of your primary "hustle."

In Praise of Incrementalism (Ep. 264) - Freakonomics

What do Renaissance painting, civil-rights movements, and Olympic cycling have in common? In each case, huge breakthroughs came from taking tiny steps. In a world where everyone is looking for the next moonshot, we shouldn’t ignore the power of incrementalism.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jan 10 at 2019 9:19 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 21:19:43 -0500

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS You are only saying stuff like that since you completed your Masters!

Response by LTC Stephan Porter made Jan 10 at 2019 9:19 PM

LTC Stephan Porter — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 21:19:59 -0500

Lyft

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2019 9:30 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 21:30:09 -0500

Definitely a good thought Sgt! I got like 2 side hustles and might start a few more. Nothing like productivity!

Response by SSgt Shawn Springsteen made Jan 10 at 2019 10:28 PM

SSgt Shawn Springsteen — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 22:28:17 -0500

I’m running a mobile marketing business for micro-franchises on the side. Or at least until I can double my income!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2019 11:32 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 23:32:33 -0500

About 1,000 hours in Army and FEMA correspondence courses (paper - pre-internet), or 3-4 per weekend while drinking beer - Maxed out points, and learned useable knowledge of other MOSs (not SME, but not lost when they brief).
Reading every FM, AR, and DA Pam cover to cover - Used knowledge to win US Army Pacific NCOY, numerous SOM/Q and NCOQ, and entry into FORSCOM SAMC - (Leveraged for additional schools (BSNCO, NBC NCO, PLDC and bunch of passes).
Dual Masters and Grad Certificate to be more than competitive for promotion and post retirement.
Gym 4-6 days per week. To be more physically fit.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2019 4:18 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Jan 2019 16:18:20 -0500

Music, YouTube, Writing.
https://jtspratley.com/

Jt Spratley - Go Live Lively

JtSpratley.com shows music, Go Live Lively blogs, podcasts, and videos by Jacqueem Jt Spratley.

Response by TSgt Melissa Post made Aug 14 at 2022 1:50 PM

TSgt Melissa Post — Sun, 14 Aug 2022 13:50:01 -0400

My side hustle is Tupperware. I started about a year before I retired and I have never been happier that I did. I built my customer base when it really didn't matter as much. It still isn't the end of the world if my base isn't as large as others but it sure helps to have gotten as solid as I am with it now. It's still considered a side hustle because it's not what I do all the time. I party as much as I can but I do other things too.