What Lord Krishna advised Arjuna, to focus on performing his karma (action) without expecting any phala (the outcome), has always stayed with me from childhood, hence I spent many summer and winter vacations reading these shlokas from the Bhagvad Gita with my grandfather while growing up. So doing karma has always been a part and parcel of life without sitting idle.
But in today's materialistic world, the younger generation doesn't want to work if there is no outcome and often seeks instant results. However, I believe they should be multidimensional and focus on exploring their passions, interests and capabilities across various fields and dedicating time to productive tasks, regardless of the outcome. And I'm always convinced with this notion that honest effort and energy invested in any pursuit and passion will eventually harvest products one day.
I would like to share here about a friend who is multi-tasking and has passion for writing and singing apart from his main job. Few months back, he called me one day and asked for a fresh face for a dance role if I could provide him. I couldn't help but wonder what creative endeavor was fermenting inside the pan. When I catechized probing deep into that, he revealed his secret that a song that he'd penned is to be brought to life and will be launched by a director and producer soon but I could sense a hint of hesitation and fear rather than happiness in that murmured confession due to “log kya kahenge”. I understood that this was his passion project, the side hustle, and one; he dare not share with his day job's watchful eyes, being the talk of the town in his office and the community.
Why do we feel the need to hide our passions, interests, and talents, to camouflage the things, dear to our hearts and those that set our souls afire? Why can't we celebrate each other's passions, without fear of judgment or retaliation? The world would be a more pulsating and lively place if we could open up our true selves, unapologetically pursuing our dreams, appreciating each other. Ah! This fear of disapproval from others often silences our inner voices, forcing our creative pursuits to remain hidden, like a midnight hiss of a snake, suffocating us inside, pressing us to live a life with twofold faces or personalities.
I would also like to share the saga here why I chose this topic to write about. Last year, one of my friends who completed two post graduation degrees in addition to her previous qualification to amplify her knowledge in various disciplines exploring her, suggested me to pursue any course of my interest. I utterly liked the idea and after going through many options, I finally filled the form of journalism course. Though I'd been scribbling opinion columns for local dailies, this was a different charming devil altogether, moreover, a chance to weave stories, to share perspectives, and to bring ideas to life.
Where people find solace and comfort in life doing just one thing or job at a time, focusing on materialistic pursuits, I, with no mental or physical comfort in life, moreover spent sleepless nights, endured hell lot exertion and back ache, wrote bulky assignments days after days as if the task is never-ending, prepared production portfolios, appeared in practical exams like a young adult in my forties, and took theory exams studying like a teenager. And finally the course got over. A different kind of thrill! A kind of fear! And a knowing nothing type of feel! For few days I felt as if there is an abyss inside. I was so relieved. I finally decided to step into the unexplored terrain of my dreams. Working with a TV channel had been a long-held passion, as TV anchors, scriptwriters, editors and field reporters at one point of time have mesmerized us all in our lives. And I decided to join one Hindi news channel’s digital team for two hours.
The news of my decision sent shockwaves through my family. Panic set in, like tsunami, as they wrestled with the thought of me swapping the comfort of academia as a professor for this new unexplored arena. 'Why fix what's not broken?' they asked, their voices mixed with concern and curiosity. Their queries echoed like a chorale of worries related to struggle in new field and my health, and I found myself reminding myself that I wear multiple hats as a devoted mother, a loving wife, an understanding sister, and a respectful daughter, each loaded with expectations and hopes. But I knew that this was more than just a job, a calling of doing karma as much as I can, a chance to follow my heart, my passion and explore the myriad possibilities that life had to offer, doing many things at a time.
How could I convey that we live in an age of multifaceted talents and diverse pursuits where side hustles flourish, the valiant, audacious and the inquisitive leave the safety and security of a singular path refusing to confine them?
What is a Side Hustle? A side hustle is a flexible job or entrepreneurial venture that you work on outside of your primary career. Side hustles can range from freelancing, tutoring, or selling products online to creating and selling handmade goods or offering services like pet sitting or voiceover work.
Pursuing a side hustle offers numerous benefits. Supplemental income can help you pay off debts, save money, or invest in your future. Many side hustles also offer flexible working hours, enabling one to balance his/her primary job and personal life. Side hustles allow one to explore passions and develop new skills, which can enhance primary career. One can pursue his/her passion through a side hustle and make the whole world his/ her canvas, and paint the masterpiece. One can learn, grow, and evolve in any phase of his/her life. One can unbridle the creativity inside, chasing dreams, and making a mark in any field at any point of time if decides.
There are various popular side hustle. One can use online platforms to offer tutoring services in subjects he/she is knowledgeable about. One can offer freelance writing and editing services to businesses, blogs, or publications. One can use e-commerce platforms or social media to sell handmade goods, digital products, or second-hand items. Be the virtual assistant to provide administrative support to businesses or entrepreneurs remotely. Affiliate Marketing is also a good idea to promote products or services and earn a commission on sales generated through one’s unique referral link.
Some more side hustle ideas include starting a drop-shipping business, selling custom art, selling clothes online, baking, consulting, creating a YouTube channel, and more unique options like being an audiobook narrator, a local handyman, or running a specialty coffee cart. Whether you're interested in leveraging your skills online or exploring offline opportunities like graphic designing, operating a food truck/stand, anchoring for programmes, event planning, coaching sports, dog walking/pet sitting, gardening services, or meal prep delivery, this list offers a broad spectrum of possibilities. One can pick one that fits one’s vibe and start earning extra bucks! These side hustles can help individuals supplement income, explore passions, and develop new skills in a flexible manner.
If you're considering starting a side hustle, keep a few things in mind. Identify your passion and choose a side hustle that aligns with your interests and skills. Set your clear goals and determine what you want to achieve with your side hustle and set realistic targets. Develop a plan and outline your strategy, including marketing, finances, and time management. Begin with a minimal investment and gradually scale up your side hustle as it grows.
The stereotypes are putrefying at various levels in India these days. The winds of change are whispering secrets to the souls of the courageous who wish to create changing the directions of their lives, following their passion and being multi-tasking, pouring their hearts in side hustles. Gen Z is taking a lead role in redefining the game with side hustles copiously and millennials and the old guards are also slowly but surely joining the row. And here I stand, ready to step in and embrace the beautiful chaos of my dreams.
Anurag Bharadwaj, Head of Social Media, PR & Communications, shares on his LinkedIn profile- "I have kept my profession & passion as two different things. Mixing the two would have forced me to compromise. When you compromise, it is no more a fun. To run my kitchen, there is a job. For my fun, there is a passion. I pursue passion of interviewing personalities for mass media on my terms & conditions, with absolutely no intention of making any commercial gains. Still there are monetary gains. In fact, at times there are handsome gains but it is fun, sheer pleasure and infinite satisfaction always. I don't want it to be a routine. I just want to enjoy it."
There are many such examples of people around us who are doing extraordinary things pursuing their passions and interests through side hustles. Take my colleague at the channel, for instance- he’s a garment wholesaler by day, but spends two hours at the channel as a cartoonist. Another friend, a renowned artist from Delhi, is an entrepreneur. One of my students provides cab services in the morning and evening. These folks are testimonials of diligence and willpower, that anyone can turn their passions into reality.
Thus we can say, a new narrative has begun, of all those that don’t bother about what others will say and listen to what the within tells. For such folks, creation and courage are the cash that drives the dreams of the risk-taking souls. It's not for the haze of heart; it's for those who dare to endeavor, to risk, and to rise. So, which side of the hustle will you choose to be on?

Email:----------------------shalini.yadav067@gmail.com