Life is a struggle. Who would know it better than the person who is burning the midnight oil in a full-time job, knowing that their heart is at a different place? We are talking about individuals who are passionate, hard-working, and dreamers who wish to start a business but are stuck in jobs because the business requires funds.

If you are reading this article, you must be one of them. No problem. But wait…who says you cannot do them together, that is working a full-time job while building a business on the side?

These thoughts of trying to start our own business often come up around times of change, like a new year. They also happen when we are tiring of our current full time job wishing for something else.

If you thought otherwise, then allow us to tell you that it is more than possible. Wondering how? Just sit back and read along.

How to build your dream business while working another job

1. Ensure you are legally liberated

Some companies don’t like when their employees focus on work obligations unrelated to theirs’ or when their

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employees start another business in the same industry. That’s why they clearly enter non-competes and other contracts before you start on your job.

Therefore, before getting ahead to action, ensure that you are free of such conditions imposed by your company. Recall, did you sign a non-compete that mentions conflict of interest? You can also go through the company’s policy, or any other contract you signed with them ever.

If you did, talk to a lawyer, see if there is any way you can waive it off.

2. Time-management

Your business demands your efforts. But it also demands your time both before and after setting up your business. But

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if you work a full-time job, you are not in a luxury to devote all the time to your endeavor. In this case, you have no other option than to practice time management.

If you think you have some time to kill, or even a few minutes when you can look away from your professional obligations, then spend some time on your business. A little scheduling can help here. Plan out your day, and schedule tasks to free some time to devote to your business.

But don’t rely on weekends because you would need more than that. You cannot keep a weeks’ gap, and so you have to work for your business even when you are in the office (clandestinely if you have a strict boss watching over you), and when you are out. This means you have to give up your leisure time after work. (Yes, even when you are dead tired). I know it sounds harsh, but just remember, no pain no gain.

3. Planning and research

Trust me, working a full-time job is the best time to do your research and build a business plan before you can get to

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the action. You have a laptop in front of you, spare a few minutes, and do your market research (but don’t let your professional work suffer while doing so). Analyze the market trends, research your competitors, and go through the legal procedures of setting up a business, and things like that.

Just make sure that before taking action, you know everything there is to know. This includes costs and everything about your product.

Do a little thinking. Think about how your product is different? If it’s the same as your competitors’, what different are you offering to your customers? What is your USP? One of the common mistakes entrepreneurs make is that they get overconfident about their products. They think their products provide value to customers, but they don’t.

Therefore, before landing, just be certain that you are doing everything uniquely and correctly. Ask for feedback from your mentors, and your colleagues as well. Show them your business plan. Whatever they have to say, consider it as constructive criticism and work to make your product even better before you get to business.

Lastly,

Do not give up. It will get difficult, and you might lose hope and motivation when things get tough to handle. In that case, you can outsource, consider it an investment. But no matter what, do not give up on your dreams. Just remember, achievers don’t submit, they win.

Have some stories to share? Great, we are all ears. Drop them in the comments below.

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