You've read the articles. You've watched the videos. You've even picked out a side hustle you want to try. But days turn into weeks, and weeks turn into months, and you still haven't started. What's stopping you?
After coaching dozens of people through starting their first side hustles, I've identified the single biggest barrier that holds most people back. It's not what you think—it's not money, time, or skills. The #1 thing stopping you is something much more insidious: perfectionism.
In this article, I'll explain why perfectionism is the dream killer of side hustles and share practical strategies to overcome it once and for all.
The Perfectionism Trap
Perfectionism disguises itself as noble pursuit of excellence, but it's actually a form of self-sabotage. It sounds like this in your head:
- "I need to research this more before I start."
- "I should take another course first."
- "My website needs to be perfect before I tell anyone."
- "I'll start when I have more time to do it right."
These thoughts feel productive, but they're actually avoidance mechanisms. Perfectionism is fear dressed up as high standards.
Why Perfectionism Is Especially Deadly for Side Hustles
Side hustles require experimentation and iteration. You can't figure out what works until you try something and see what happens. Perfectionism prevents this crucial experimentation phase.
I see this constantly with aspiring freelancers. They won't apply for jobs until they've taken "one more course" or created "one more sample." Meanwhile, someone with half their skills is already making money because they started before they felt ready.
The truth is: Done is better than perfect. Always.
How to Overcome Perfectionism: 5 Practical Strategies
Overcoming perfectionism isn't about lowering your standards—it's about redirecting your energy from planning to action. Here are strategies that actually work:
1. The "Minimum Viable Product" Approach
Instead of trying to create the perfect version of your side hustle, aim for the simplest possible version that could work. For example:
- Instead of building a complete website, create a single landing page
- Instead of developing a full product line, create one signature offering
- Instead of mastering every social media platform, focus on one where your audience lives
Launch your MVP, get feedback, and improve from there.
2. Set a "Good Enough" Deadline
Perfectionism often manifests as endless tweaking. Combat this by setting a hard deadline for when something will be "good enough" to launch.
For example: "I will spend no more than 3 hours setting up my Fiverr gig, then I'll publish it regardless of how perfect it is."
The 80/20 rule applies here: 80% of your results will come from 20% of your effort. Identify that crucial 20%, do it well enough, and launch.
3. Embrace "Strategic Imperfection"
intentionally leave small, fixable imperfections in your work. This might sound counterintuitive, but it helps break the perfectionism cycle.
For example, publish a blog post with a disclaimer that you'll be updating it based on reader feedback. Launch a service with the note that you're refining it based on client experiences.
This approach does two things: It gets you started faster, and it creates opportunities for collaboration with your audience.
4. Reframe Failure as Data Collection
Perfectionists fear failure because they see it as a reflection of their worth. Reframe failure as data collection instead of judgment.
Every "failed" attempt gives you valuable information about what doesn't work, bringing you closer to what does work. Thomas Edison didn't fail 1,000 times to invent the lightbulb; he found 1,000 ways that didn't work.
Set a goal to collect a certain number of "data points" (rejections, failed attempts, negative results) each week. This makes the process feel like an experiment rather than a test of your worth.
5. Implement the "5-Second Rule"
Mel Robbins' 5-second rule is powerful for overcoming perfectionism-induced paralysis. When you have an idea or need to take action, count backward from 5 and physically move before your brain can talk you out of it.
5-4-3-2-1—send that pitch email before you can overthink it. 5-4-3-2-1—publish that blog post before you can reread it for the tenth time.
This technique interrupts the overthinking cycle and forces action.
My Personal Perfectionism Breakthrough
I struggled with perfectionism for years. I wanted to start a blog but kept putting it off because the design wasn't perfect, I didn't have enough articles written, I was waiting for the "right time."
Finally, I gave myself a deadline: I would publish my blog on January 1st, no matter what. On New Year's Day, my site was far from perfect—the design was basic, I only had three articles, and I was terrified.
But I hit publish anyway. And you know what happened? Nothing catastrophic. The world didn't end. In fact, I got my first subscriber that week. Then my first comment. Then my first freelance inquiry.
Had I waited for "perfect," I'd still be waiting. Instead, I've built a business I love.
Remember: A imperfect side hustle that exists makes money. A perfect side hustle that never launches makes nothing.
