Rest
Rest days are part of the plan
Rest days are easy to give up when side work picks up. They're also what keeps it going for months instead of weeks.
Choose them in advance
Pick at least one, ideally two, days a week with no side work. Put them in your calendar like any other appointment.
Make them real
No "just checking messages". Turn off notifications from side-work apps on rest days.
When work piles up
Move a deadline, decline a new job or shorten a task before giving up a rest day. If rest days keep disappearing, the side work is probably too heavy.
Notice the difference
Many people find their side-work sessions get better, not worse, once rest days are protected.
← Back to the row