Should Lawyers Consider a Side Hustle?

 In recent times, it's become increasingly common to find people, ranging from teenagers living next door to professionals in your workplace, embracing the concept of a "side hustle." For attorneys, engaging in personal projects or part-time work is not a novel idea, but the propelled this conversation into the spotlight. Lawyers are undergoing a profound "reassessment" phase, where they are critically evaluating their job satisfaction, the value of their work, and their long-term career objectives. For some, quitting the legal profession is the chosen path, while others find solace and fulfillment in a side hustle. These entrepreneurial endeavors provide an escape from the daily legal grind, offer a creative outlet, serve as a testing ground for innovative ideas, or even chart a course towards an alternate career.

Defining a Side Hustle

Distinguishing between a side hustle and a part-time job is essential. While a part-time job offers income, it typically entails surrendering control to an employer, who dictates your work hours, responsibilities, and compensation. In contrast, a side hustle is a venture that supplements your income, with you as the captain of the ship. You steer the business, determining how much effort to invest and how you'll reap the rewards.

The Allure of Side Hustles for Lawyers

Why would lawyers, whose education leads them to one of the most esteemed professions, opt for side hustles? The motivations are as diverse as the range of side hustles themselves:

Financial Security: Particularly early in their careers, lawyers may find an additional income to be vital. Law school debt can be overwhelming, and salaries in solo practices or small law firms can be modest. Side hustles offer a financial safety net.

Pursuing Dreams: Many lawyers dream of being their own boss or saving for significant life goals like their child's college fund, a vacation home, or travel. A side hustle can be the financial engine that drives these aspirations without disturbing their monthly budget.

Emotional Fulfillment: A side hustle can provide emotional rewards by allowing lawyers to explore their hobbies and passions. It serves as a release from the inherent stress of the legal profession or enables them to enjoy their interests independently from their professional obligations.

Career Transition: A side hustle can serve as a stepping stone to the lawyer's next career or a fulfilling plan for a post-legal life.

Maintaining Balance

Lawyers are already engaged in a demanding profession that often extends beyond regular working hours. So, where does the time for a side hustle come from?

Renowned business guru Tony Robbins once remarked, "One reason so few of us achieve what we truly want is that we never direct our focus; we never concentrate our power." While we can't magically add more hours to the day, we can make better use of our time. Devoting time to building a side hustle is crucial, but it's equally vital to establish boundaries to maintain a balanced life.

Building your side hustle should not come at the expense of your relationships, physical well-being, or mental health. On the contrary, the side hustle may contribute to your overall well-being, allowing you to set healthier boundaries in your legal career.

Jay Reeves, an attorney, life coach, and owner of Your Law Life, emphasizes that finding purpose and profitability can provide peace of mind. As you establish boundaries, consider these strategies:

Creating a Schedule: Develop a clear schedule to balance your primary legal work with your side gig.

Utilizing Technology: Employ time management techniques, such as Pomodoro timers for focused work and apps to block distractions, to maintain boundaries.

Setting Milestones: Develop a timetable with milestones for long-term projects and use visual aids like Kanban boards to stay focused on works in progress.

Accountability Partners: Collaborate with someone who can provide input and help you overcome decision paralysis, ensuring you stay committed to your goals.

Dr. Robert Cialdini's research on social influence and decision-making reveals the power of peer pressure, particularly in complex decision scenarios. Legal practice can often be isolating, making an accountability partner an invaluable resource to share the burden of decision-making.

Mastering the practice of law is not a luxury but a necessity. Lawyers need to excel in their respective practice areas, honing skills in relationship building, negotiation, and management. These skills are highly transferable to side hustles, potentially improving your negotiation and management abilities in both your legal practice and side gig.

The Networking Perk of Side Hustles

A compelling advantage of side hustles is the expansion of your professional network. Many lawyers limit their connections and referral sources to the legal realm, which can restrict opportunities. Your side hustle network may surprisingly benefit your legal practice.

A New Normal for Lawyers

Tony Robbins wisely pointed out, "Once you have mastered time, you will understand how true it is that most people overestimate what they can accomplish in a year – and underestimate what they can achieve in a decade." This doesn't mean abandoning annual goals; it's a call to create and stick to them. Even if you fall short at the end of a year, it's no cause for failure. Consistently setting and pursuing goals can yield substantial rewards over time.

Engaging in a side hustle could soon become the norm for lawyers. It might serve as a supplementary career path, enhance their mental well-being, and offer something to look forward to when retirement beckons. This diverse array of pursuits has the potential to redefine the legal profession, allowing attorneys to explore new horizons while continuing their commitment to the law.

Frequently Asked Questions about Lawyers and Side Hustles

What is a side hustle for lawyers?

A side hustle for lawyers is an additional business or project that they undertake alongside their legal career to supplement their income and pursue personal or professional goals.

How is a side hustle different from a part-time job?

A side hustle offers supplemental income, and lawyers have full control over it, while a part-time job provides income with an employer dictating work hours and responsibilities.

Why would lawyers pursue side hustles?

Lawyers may engage in side hustles for various reasons, such as financial security, pursuing dreams, emotional fulfillment, or transitioning to a new career.

Do lawyers face financial challenges that drive them to side hustles?

Yes, some lawyers, especially early in their careers, may have significant student loan debt, and the income from solo or small firm practice can be relatively low, making side hustles a valuable financial safety net.

How can a side hustle help lawyers fulfill their dreams?

A side hustle can provide the financial resources needed to become your own boss, save for major goals like a child's college fund, or enjoy personal interests without affecting your monthly budget.

Can a side hustle provide emotional rewards for lawyers?

Yes, a side hustle can be a source of emotional satisfaction by allowing lawyers to explore their hobbies and passions outside of their legal careers, offering a much-needed break from the stresses of practicing law.

How can a side hustle pave the way for a lawyer's next career?

A side hustle can serve as a stepping stone to a new career path or a post-legal life plan, offering a safe and gradual transition.

What challenges do lawyers face when balancing their legal careers and side hustles?

Lawyers often struggle with time management and maintaining work-life balance when pursuing side hustles, as the legal profession can be demanding.

What are some strategies for setting boundaries when managing a side hustle?

Strategies include establishing a clear schedule, using technology for time management, setting milestones for projects, and enlisting an accountability partner.

How can an accountability partner help lawyers with their side hustles?

An accountability partner provides support and guidance, helping lawyers overcome decision paralysis, maintain focus, and stay committed to their side hustle goals.

How can skills developed through a side hustle benefit a lawyer's legal practice?

Skills acquired through a side hustle, such as negotiation, management, and entrepreneurship, can be transferable and enhance a lawyer's performance in their legal practice.

Can a side hustle expand a lawyer's professional network?

Yes, a side hustle can introduce lawyers to a broader network of contacts, potentially benefiting their legal practice and opening up new opportunities.

How do side hustles contribute to a lawyer's mental well-being?

Side hustles can provide a creative outlet and an additional source of personal satisfaction, reducing the stress associated with a legal career.

Is it possible for lawyers to balance their side hustles and legal careers effectively?

Yes, with careful time management and boundary setting, lawyers can balance their side hustles and legal careers while maintaining their well-being.

What is the long-term outlook for lawyers and side hustles?

Side hustles may become the norm for lawyers, offering a supplementary career path that enhances their overall professional and personal lives.

Do lawyers who pursue side hustles often find success in their additional endeavors?

Success in side hustles varies, but they offer lawyers the opportunity to explore new horizons and potentially achieve their personal and professional goals.

Can a side hustle help lawyers gain entrepreneurial experience?

Yes, side hustles provide lawyers with valuable entrepreneurial skills, which can be beneficial both for their side gig and their legal practice.

Are there specific legal restrictions or regulations that lawyers need to consider when starting a side hustle?

Lawyers should be aware of potential conflicts of interest and ethical considerations when starting a side hustle, as these may vary depending on their jurisdiction and legal practice.

What is the best time for lawyers to start a side hustle?

The ideal time to start a side hustle depends on the lawyer's individual circumstances and goals. Some lawyers begin early in their careers, while others explore side hustles later in life.

How can lawyers identify the right type of side hustle for them?

Lawyers should choose a side hustle that aligns with their skills, interests, and long-term goals, ensuring it complements their legal career rather than conflicts with it.

What resources are available to help lawyers in managing their side hustles effectively?

There are numerous books, courses, and online communities that offer guidance and support to lawyers embarking on side hustles.

What are the potential tax implications of having a side hustle as a lawyer?

Lawyers should consult with a tax professional to understand the tax implications of their specific side hustle and ensure they comply with tax regulations.

Can side hustles for lawyers turn into full-time careers?

Yes, some lawyers eventually transition their side hustles into full-time careers, particularly if they find success and fulfillment in their additional ventures.

Are there specific industries or businesses that are more suitable for lawyers' side hustles?

The choice of industry or business for a lawyer's side hustle varies depending on their interests, skills, and market demand. Lawyers can explore a wide range of options.

How can lawyers stay updated and connected with the side hustle community?

Lawyers can attend networking events, join online forums and groups, and subscribe to relevant publications to stay informed and connected with the side hustle community.