Ever open your laptop after work, ready to make progress on your “someday” income stream — and instead spend 47 minutes deciding between two different fonts for your Canva header?

No? Just me? Cool cool cool. 🫣

Here’s the thing… most of us aren’t procrastinating because we’re lazy.

We’re procrastinating because we’re maxed out on decisions that feel small… but add up fast.

And when your brain’s been sprinting all day through client emails, status updates, Zooms that should’ve been Slack messages and the sheer existential weight of your corporate to-do list?

It’s not that you don’t want to build that side income.

You’re just… fried.

Let’s call it what it is: decision fatigue (aka the reason you’re suddenly convinced that naming your Etsy shop might actually kill you).

The Myth of the Big Leap

We think building a side hustle is one big leap.

It’s not.

It’s 847 tiny choices that slowly chip away at your sanity:
→ What platform should I use?
→ Should I make a logo first or set up a payment system?
→ Do I need a business bank account now?
→ What even is an LLC and why does every guy on YouTube have 14 of them?

And when you’re already working full time, every extra decision feels like lifting a couch with one hand and your dignity in the other.

So What Actually Helps?

Nope, it’s not “just push through.” That’s hustle culture’s favorite lie.

Here’s what actually makes a difference when you’re trying to build something on the side without burning out:

1. Default to Templates

Don’t reinvent the wheel.

Use someone else’s wheel. Steal the blueprints. Customize it later.

Templates give you a head start when your brain feels like a bowl of oatmeal.

2. Make Fewer Decisions Ahead of Times

Yup, time-travel your brain.

Pick one hour a week to decide:
→ What 3 things will move me forward this week?
→ What 3 things can wait?
→ What will I not do (no matter how shiny it looks on Instagram)?

Then don’t ask yourself again. Just follow the map you already made.

3. Let “Done” Be Ugly

Ugly is productive. Ugly is honest. Ugly pays off later — because perfection never finished a project.

Your first sales page can be basic.

Your first email list can have 7 people.

Your first YouTube video can have weird lighting and questionable sound.

Get it done. Improve later.

4. Build Decision Buffers

Give yourself structure so you don’t have to think so hard:
→ Block 30 minutes after dinner, three days a week
→ Use that time for one specific task
→ Turn on Do Not Disturb. Mute Slack. Tell your cat you’re busy.

When it’s scheduled and simple, it actually gets done.

When it’s vague and open-ended, you’ll end up watching tortilla hack videos on TikTok until bedtime.

5. Celebrate Every Inch of Progress

If you’re waiting until you make money to feel successful, you’ll stay stuck.

Momentum starts when you notice it.

→ Sent your first outreach email? Big win.
→ Sketched out a list of services? You’re ahead of most people.
→ Picked a name for your business? Pop a snack and call it a celebration.

Success doesn’t show up all at once.

It’s more like building IKEA furniture. Confusing at first… but deeply satisfying when the thing finally stands up on its own.

TL;DR: Start Small. Reduce Decisions. Build Smarter.

If you’ve been telling yourself, “I’m too tired to work on my business,” try this reframe:

Maybe you’re just tired of making decisions with no roadmap.

Let’s fix that.

Start small. Use templates. Give your future self a break.

Because the fastest way to kill your motivation is trying to make every choice from scratch.

And the best way to build momentum?

Start with less thinking — not more.