When I first started my side hustle journey, I was pumped full of excitement. I had big goals, a vision board, and endless tabs open full of “how to make money online” guides.
But that motivation? It didn’t last.
Truth is, I unknowingly developed a handful of habits that slowly drained my energy, killed my momentum, and almost made me quit.
If you’re feeling stuck, unmotivated, or wondering why your side hustle isn’t moving forward – these habits might be holding you back too.
Here are 10 habits that killed my motivation – and how I rebuilt it.
1. Constantly Consuming, Rarely Creating
I used to binge YouTube videos, blog posts, and free webinars like they were Netflix. I told myself it was “research,” but really, I was just procrastinating.
Fix: I now follow a learn-then-implement rule. One video, one blog post – then action.
2. Setting Unrealistic Goals
I wanted $10k months, a big email list, and total freedom – in 30 days. No surprise I burned out fast.
Fix: I now focus on small, consistent wins. One blog post. One Reel. One email. Big results follow the small steps.
3. Saying Yes to Everything
Free challenge? New affiliate program? Free trial of yet another shiny tool? I said yes to everything, and it overwhelmed me.
Fix: Now I simplify and stay focused. I only promote offers I truly believe in and stick to a lean, proven toolkit.
4. Trying to Work “When I Feel Like It”
Motivation is great – but it’s unreliable. I used to wait until I was “in the mood” to work… which meant most days, I didn’t.
Fix: I built a simple, 30-minute-a-day side hustle routine. It’s in my calendar, like any other appointment.
5. Comparing Myself to Everyone Else
Scrolling Instagram or Pinterest and seeing others “crushing it” made me feel behind and discouraged.
Fix: I stay in my lane. I mute accounts if needed and focus on my audience, my progress, and my goals.
6. Ignoring My Energy Levels
Late nights, early mornings, and skipping breaks made me feel productive… until I crashed.
Fix: I now match my most important work to my peak energy time (mornings for me) — and I don’t guilt myself for rest.
7. Not Having a Clear Plan
Winging it every day meant I wasted time just figuring out what to work on. I’d jump from Canva to emails to random affiliate dashboards.
Fix: I created a simple action plan – including done-for-you templates, email scripts, and checklists — so I always know what to do next.
Want my exact tools? Grab the Affiliate Fast Start Toolkit – it’s 100% free and perfect if you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed.
8. Overloading My To-Do List
I’d start the day with a massive to-do list — and end the day feeling like a failure.
Fix: Now I set just 3 core priorities each day. If I finish them early? Bonus.
9. Waiting for Perfect Conditions
I used to think I needed a better camera, more time, more followers – before I could launch anything.
Fix: I stopped waiting. I started messy – and it worked. Progress beats perfection every time.
10. Forgetting My “Why”
It’s easy to lose motivation when you forget what you’re working toward.
Fix: I keep a visual reminder of my goals — more time with family, financial freedom, and building something I believe in.
Final Thoughts
If your motivation feels low lately, you’re not broken – you’re just stuck in a few unhelpful patterns. I was too.
The good news? You can rebuild your momentum. Start by replacing just one of these habits with a better one this week.
And if you need a simple way to get back on track…
Download my free Affiliate Fast Start Toolkit – it’s packed with the tools and systems that helped me get focused, stay consistent, and finally start seeing results.
