As an entrepreneur, even 24 hours in a day seems too short a time if there are things you want to do outside of work. Hobbies and passions tend to take a back seat when you have a business to run. But directing all your time and energies towards your business can sometimes do more harm than good. Burning out is never good news for your business or yourself; which is why it is important to have one, or several, side projects to pursue outside your day job. Refocusing your energies for some time every day on another project helps one refuel and return to your business with renewed focus.

Countless studies have proven how pursuing side projects make you more productive and creative. They can also turn out to be hugely successful multi-million dollar ideas like Uber and Gmail. Aside from the numerous health benefits, if you still aren’t convinced, here is a list of practical reasons why you should pursue a side project outside your business.

No money, no pressure

The pressure is usually on when there’s money in question. We concern ourselves with quality standards and competitiveness when we are getting paid for what we have to offer. And if it’s what’s paying the bills, pressure mounts all the more. The good thing about a side project is that it isn’t started with the purpose of making money. And with that, the fear of failure automatically reduces. In fact, if failing at a side project is a concern, see it as a learning lesson that you can apply to your business. It also helps you learn to receive feedback positively. After all, failure teaches success.

No deadline, no pressure

While the jury is out on this, deadlines are said to be a cause for low creativity and risk taking. But with a side project, chances are you aren’t working towards a hard deadline unless you set one for yourself. This allows for creativity and risk taking that you may not ordinarily take with your own business. Your side project can be your testing ground for a great idea you have whose success you’re doubtful of.

It’s fun!

You probably see a side project as a “labour of love”. You’re spending time on this because you really want to, not because you have to. You may feel particularly invested in making it a success and in this way apply yourself more when you come up against an obstacle. When it comes to a side project, hard work can mean fun.

Generates resources for your business

Your side project may well be a source of ideas, contacts and maybe even capital for your own business. If your side project takes off in a big way, it may even drive interest towards your business. It’s remarkable how something from one aspect of your life can influence another!

Side project turns business idea

While not all side projects have the potential of becoming great business ideas, some do. If you spend enough time developing a side project and thinking through its future potential, you may well land yourself a great business idea to pursue. Would you like to create the next big thing since Uber or Gmail? Absolutely!